Elderberry Health Benefits and How to Use Elderberry

Elderberries are the fruit of the shrub Sambucus nigra, native to Europe, southwestern Asia and northern Africa, and S. canadensis, American elder, native to central and eastern North America. Archeological evidence suggests that elderberries (and the trees and flowers that produce them) have been in use since ancient times for medicinal, culinary and household uses, and indigenous populations in North and South America used various parts of the elderberry plant for medicinal purposes to treat a variety of ailments. Read on to learn more about this ancient berry and its usage then and now.

The use of Sambucus nigra — European or black elderberry — to treat a variety of ailments goes back to ancient times. More recently, elderberry supplements have been used to treat conditions ranging from headaches and toothaches to sciatica and chronic fatigue syndrome, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Elderberry products are available in forms ranging from syrup, juice and tea to powders, drops, lozenges, gummies and dried, whole berries.

In spring and early summer, Sambucus produces creamy white, sweetly scented flower clusters that are followed later by small, purplish-black berries. Elderberry is said to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antiviral properties, and studies show that the fruits contain antioxidants and immune-boosting vitamins, like A and C. The plant is a popular botanical used — often in tea or syrup form — to reduce the duration of the common cold.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, one cup of fresh elderberries contains 106 calories, 26.7 grams of carbohydrates and less than 1 gram each of fat and protein. In addition, they are high in Vitamin C (52 mg per cup of fruit, 57 percent of the daily value); high in dietary fiber (10 grams, about 36 percent of daily value) and a good source of antioxidants, according to the National Institutes of Health.