Home > Herbs > Sambucus

elder

Sambucus · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (24 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Elder, scientifically known as Sambucus, is a versatile medicinal shrub revered for centuries in traditional healing. Renowned for its potent antioxidant properties, its berries and flowers are frequently used to support immune health, alleviate respiratory congestion, and reduce inflammation, making it a cornerstone of natural wellness and herbal remedies.

Family
Viburnaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Elder · Elderberry · 2 more
Scientific synonyms
Ebulum · Tripetelus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sambucus

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Sauco
  • Cañilero
  • Canilero
  • Saúco
  • Flor de saúco
  • saúcos
  • Saúco

German:

  • Holunder
  • Hollerbeere
  • Holunderbeere
  • Holderbusch
  • Holunder
  • Holler
  • Hollerstaude

French:

  • Sureau
  • sureaux
  • Sureau

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dipsacales and the family Viburnaceae, it is classified under the genus Sambucus.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Dipsacales
Family Viburnaceae
Genus Sambucus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions of Northern Europe. In the western part of this territory, it can be found growing in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving further north, the species is also established within the borders of Denmark. The plant's range extends into the Scandinavian Peninsula, where it inhabits Norway. Finally, its presence is confirmed in the northernmost reaches of the region within Finland.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Finland
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Norway
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Chemicals

Sambucus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include SSA.

Chemicals reported in Sambucus
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
SSA 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

SSA

  1. Biochimie

Activities

Sambucus has 9 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Anticancer.

Activities reported in Sambucus
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antioxidant 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antidepressant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antiosteoporotic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hypolipidemic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antioxidant

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
  2. International journal of molecular sciences
  3. Tropical life sciences research

Antidiabetic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
  2. International journal of molecular sciences

Antimicrobial

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
  2. International journal of molecular sciences

Analgesic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

  1. Tropical life sciences research

Antidepressant

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiosteoporotic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

  1. Tropical life sciences research

Hypolipidemic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Sambucus has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include urinary tract infections, bone fractures, diarrhea, headaches, menstrual pains.

Conditions investigated for Sambucus
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Urinary tract infections 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Bone fractures 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Diarrhea 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Headaches 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Menstrual pains 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Rheumatism 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Skin diseases 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Snakebites 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Wounds 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Urinary tract infections

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
  2. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Bone fractures

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Headaches

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Menstrual pains

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatism

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Skin diseases

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Snakebites

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wounds

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Sambucus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts.

Preparations reported for Sambucus
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Aqueous extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Aqueous extracts

  1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica