University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Nature's Pharmacy: Ancient Knowledge, Modern Medicine
Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Name, Habitat and Appearance
Elderberry is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub favoring moist fertile soil and full to partial shade. It is a member of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) that includes species of honeysuckle, snowberry, twinflower, feverwort, and virburnum. The name may refer to as many as 13 species native to North America. Other species are found in Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The scientific name may come from the Greek word "Sambuca," a musical instrument, and canadensis indicating the location where the plant may first have been identified.
Legends and Folklore
Across Europe and throughout Russia much folklore and superstition surrounded the elderberry. It was said to ward off evil and offer protection from witches. It was incorporated into wedding and funeral ceremonies. A stick of Elder brought good luck at weddings. Branches were buried with the dead for protection against evil spirits. Traditionally, it was believed that the Calvary cross was made from a giant Elder.
Archaeological Evidence
Evidence of prehistoric elderberry use comes from the recovery of seeds at archaeological sites; many carbonized elderberry seeds have been found. Under some storage pit conditions where the seeds were quickly sealed away from microorganisms and other decay-inducing forces, uncarbonized seed have been preserved. At a Mills County, Iowa site dating from C.E. 1000-1300, 71 elderberry seeds were identified. The presence of elderberry seeds at this site may indicate the collection and/or storage of berries, and possibly other uses of elderberry. Elderberries probably grew around wooded areas on the bluff slope near the earthlodges and are a common sight along rural Iowa roads today.
History
Pliny, a Roman naturalist and writer (C.E. 23-79) records the folk belief that the shrillest pipes and sonorous horns were made from Elder branches. A modern Italian pipe called sampogna is made from Elder branches. Elder branches were used to make toy popguns and whistles because the pith of Elder branches is easily removed, leaving a hollow tube. Unfortunately, many children got sick from the toys before the cause was discovered (see warning).
Elderberry has been used as a medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary plant for centuries. Medicinally it acts on the body as an emetic, a cathartic and a gentle stimulant. The flowers have diaphoretic, diuretic, alterative, emollient, and discutient properties.
Writing of the European Black Elder, Sambucus nigra, the English diarist, John Evelyn (1620-1706) called it a "catholicum against all infirmities whatever." In 1644, a book entitled The Anatomie of the Elder described the medicinal qualities of the plant. The flowers of sweet and European elder were listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1831 to 1905. Elder Flower Water (Aqua Sambuci) is listed as an official preparation of the British Pharmacopoeia. Cosmetically, elderberry was used as an aid to remove spots and freckles, and to preserve and soften the skin. The Romans used elderberry juice as a hair dye. As a culinary plant, elderberry has long been used in jams, jellies, chutneys, preserves, wine and teas; the flowers were eaten in fritters.
Historical Uses
- Poultices for engorged breasts, swellings and unhealed navels
- Emetics and laxatives
- Salves for skin conditions
- Analgesic for pain and as a sedative
- Treating toothache
- Treating heart diseases
- Disinfectant
- Blood purifier
- Treating venereal diseases
- Tonics in wine
- Treating colic
- Fever reduction
- Native American ceremonial medicine
Warnings
This plant should be used with caution because of the cyanogenic glucosides it contains. These are substances that release the poison cyanide. The danger comes mainly from the roots, stems, and leaves. Elderberry is listed in the American Medical Association's 1985 edition AMA Handbook of Poisonous Injurious Plants.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Ethnobotanical research has recorded many medicinal uses of elderberry by Native Americans. Much of the American Elder --root, bark, the pith of the stalk, leaves, berries, and flowers--was used as medicine. Infusions and decoctions, were taken internally and poultices or salves made from the plant parts and applied externally were common methods of delivering elderberry as a medicine.
Modern Medicinal Uses
Today elderberry is used in natural healing products. The chemical and nutrient content listed for the berries, flowers, inner bark, leaves, and roots are: Anthocyanin, B-complex vitamins, calcium, carbohydrates, fat, itydrocyanic acid, potassium, protein, rutin, sambucine, tannic acid, tryosin, and vitamins A and D.
The photograph of elderberry used in the exhibit.
Click here for some more sites on elderberry.
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