American Black Elderberry(Sambucus nigra L. spp. canadensis)
Other Names:
Black elder, Canada elderberry, common elderberry
Range:
Family:
Adoxaceae – Moschatel family
Growth Type:
Deciduous perennial shrub or small tree
Height:
Can grow up to 20' tall or more, although most specimens I have seen average about 8-10' tall
Leaves:
The leaves are pinnate and typically contain 5–9 leaflets. Each leaf is 2 - 12 in long, and the leaflets have serrated margins.
Stem/Trunk:
Multiple stemmed shrub
Root:
Spreading root system
Flower Season:
Late spring
Flower Appearance:
Large clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers
Seed/Fruit:
Large clusters of small, glossy, dark purple to black berries, approximately 1/8" in diameter
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
Sunny locations in fertile soils of fields, and alongside streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes
Parts Used:
Flowers, Ripe Berries
Uses:
Culinary Uses:
Flowers can be soaked in water and fermented to make an effervescent "soda-like" drink. The unripe berries are mildly toxic, but lose this toxicity as they ripen. The ripe berries can be eaten raw, but may cause gastric upset. Cooked berries are used in jams, pies, compotes. The ripe berries have been harvested to make a delicate and delicious wine.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics - Flower
Taste: Sweet
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Energetics - Fruit
Taste: Sour
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Moistening
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Elderberry has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. It was used to treat injuries and rheumatism. Recent scientific studies have demonstrated elderberry to be effective at alleviating allergies, increasing respiratory health, and treating influenza. I have found a syrup made from elderberries, licorice root, mullein, and cherry juice, taken when symptoms first appear, to be highly effective at heading off a cold or flu.
Usage Indictions:
Colds, Improve Metabolism, Inflammation, Influenza, Upper Respiratory Infection
Indications Citations
The fact that studies concerning all indications listed above have not yet been completed, does not mean said uses are invalid. The plants I have included have a long history of effective use, and most were part of the U.S. Pharmacopia prior to the advent of allopathic medicine.
Influenza (The flu): Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40. doi: 10.1177/147323000403200205. PMID: 15080016.
Rhino Virus (Common Cold): Tiralongo E, Wee SS, Lea RA. Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2016 Mar 24;8(4):182. doi: 10.3390/nu8040182. PMID: 27023596; PMCID: PMC4848651.
Upper Respiratory Infection (common): Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne E. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Feb;42:361-365. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004. Epub 2018 Dec 18. PMID: 30670267.
Metabolic Flexibility (Improves Metabolism) The ability to efficiently switch between fuel sources in response to changing nutrient availability and energy demands, is recognized as a key determinant of metabolic health.: Teets C, Etter AJ, Solverson PM. One-Week Elderberry Juice Intervention Promotes Metabolic Flexibility in the Transcriptome of Overweight Adults During a Meal Challenge. Nutrients. 2025 Oct 1;17(19):3142. doi: 10.3390/nu17193142. PMID: 41097219; PMCID: PMC12526507.
Weight Loss (Common): Chrubasik C, Maier T, Dawid C, Torda T, Schieber A, Hofmann T, Chrubasik S. An observational study and quantification of the actives in a supplement with Sambucus nigra and Asparagus officinalis used for weight reduction. Phytother Res. 2008 Jul;22(7):913-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2415. PMID: 18350516.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Alterative, Anorexiant, Anticatarrhal, Antipyretic, Aperient, Cathartic, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Emetic
This plant has been shown, by scientific studies, to exhibit the following medicinal actions. The fact that studies concerning all of the traditional medicinal actions listed above have not yet been completed, does not mean said actions are invalid. The plants I have included have a long history of effective use, and most were part of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia prior to the rise of allopathic medicine.
Alterative (Herbs that restore the proper function of the body, usually through altering metabolism by improving the tissues' ability to metabolize nutrients and eliminate wastes.) The ability to efficiently switch between fuel sources in response to changing nutrient availability and energy demands, is recognized as a key determinant of metabolic health.: Teets C, Etter AJ, Solverson PM. One-Week Elderberry Juice Intervention Promotes Metabolic Flexibility in the Transcriptome of Overweight Adults During a Meal Challenge. Nutrients. 2025 Oct 1;17(19):3142. doi: 10.3390/nu17193142. PMID: 41097219; PMCID: PMC12526507.
Antiviral: Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40. doi: 10.1177/147323000403200205. PMID: 15080016.
Antiviral: Tiralongo E, Wee SS, Lea RA. Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2016 Mar 24;8(4):182. doi: 10.3390/nu8040182. PMID: 27023596; PMCID: PMC4848651.
Anti-Infective: Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne E. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Feb;42:361-365. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004. Epub 2018 Dec 18. PMID: 30670267.
Anorexiant (Apptetite Suppressant): Chrubasik C, Maier T, Dawid C, Torda T, Schieber A, Hofmann T, Chrubasik S. An observational study and quantification of the actives in a supplement with Sambucus nigra and Asparagus officinalis used for weight reduction. Phytother Res. 2008 Jul;22(7):913-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2415. PMID: 18350516.
Herbal Preparations For Sambucus nigra L. spp canadensis
Infusion
Part Used: Flowers
Plant State: Fresh
Preparation Instructions...
Dosage: 1-2 oz up to 3 times daily
Cold Infusion
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh
Preparation Instructions...
Dosage: 1-2 oz up to 3 times daily
Elderberry Cold & Flu Syrup
Part Used: Fruit
Plant State: Dried
This is a wonderfully healthful syrup that is meant to be taken at the first sign of cold. If you take it after the cold has taken hold, it is too late. However, if you catch it at first symptoms, it will probably stop you from getting sick.
Ingredients:
Simmer 30 minutes, strain, and add honey/alcohol to preserve.
Dosage Directions:
At the first sign of symptoms, take 1/2 tsp every 15 minutes for the first hour, and then every hour until symptoms subside.
This recipe was developed by Rosalee De La Foret
Elderberry Cold & Flu Tincture
I love the efficacy of Rosalee De La Foret's elderberry syrup recips. However, I did not like the short shelf life. That did not work for my family's busy lifestyle. I decided to experiment and see if I could adapt it into an effective tincture. The following recipe is the one I have used for a few years, and have found it to be every bit as effective as Rosalee's original syrup.
Part Used: Fruit
Plant State: Dried
This tincture works amazingly well, but only when taken at the first signs of illness, It will not work to eliminate an existing cold or flu infection.
Recipe:
Mix all ingredients together in a quart mason jar. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Label jar with name of tincture, percentage of alcohol, and date started. Tightly seal the jar, shake vigorously, and place in a dark cupboard for 30 days. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out and shake vigorously. After 30 days have elapsed, pour the contents of the jar through a fine sieve to strain. The tincture should remain viable for 2-3 years.
This tincture is an adaptation of Rosalee De La Foret's elderberry syrup recipe.
Elderberry
