Herb's Introduction
The plant in focus is the European Elder, scientifically known as Sambucus nigra L., though the request includes closely related North American species like Sambucus canadensis and Sambucus mexicana, which are sometimes considered synonyms, subspecies, or part of a species complex under S. nigra. The accepted family is Adoxaceae, although it was historically placed in Caprifoliaceae. Sambucus nigra is a widely recognized medicinal and edible plant with a long history of use across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree, highly valued for its fragrant white flowers (Sambuci flos) and its dark purple-black berries (Sambuci fructus). The plant has been documented in traditional medicine systems for centuries, particularly for its use in treating respiratory ailments, fever, and various forms of inflammation. In Nepal, a related variety, Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis (or S. canadensis), is recorded, locally known as Kanike phul.
Name in Different Countries
The common name in English is generally European elder, Black Elder, or Elderberry. Due to its widespread traditional use, it possesses numerous vernacular names globally, as indicated in the initial data: Brazil: Sabugueiro Czech: Bez Černý Danish: Almindelig Hyld, Hyld, Hyldebær Dutch: Gewone Viler Eastonian: Must Leeder Finnish: Mustaselja French: Grand Sureau, Seu, Sus, Sureau, Sureau Noir German: Flieder, Fliederbeerbusch, Hollerbusch, Schwarzer Holunder Hungarian: Fekete Bodza Icelandic: Svartyllir Italian: Sambuco, Sambuco, Commune, Sambuco Negro, Sambuco Nero, Zambuco Latvia: Melnais Plūškoks Lithuanian: Juoduogis Šeivamedis Norwegian: Hyll, Hærsbutre, Svarthyll Papiamento: Sauku Polish: Bez Czarny, Czarny Bez, Dziki Bez Czarny, Dziki Czarny Bez Portuguese: Sabugueiro-Negro Russian: Buzina Černaja Slovašcina: Črni Bezeg, Bezeg, Bezeg Črni Slovencina: Baza Čierna Spanish: Cañiler, Canillero, Caúco Negro, Sabuco, Sauch, Saúco Swedish: Äkta Fläder, Fläder, Hyll, Sommarfläder, Vanlig Fläder Nepali: Kanike phul (for S. nigra subsp. canadensis)
Terminology
Scientific Name: Sambucus nigra L. Family: Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae) Synonyms: A complex group of synonyms exists, including Sambucus bipinnata, Sambucus canadensis, Sambucus intermedia, Sambucus mexicana, and others, reflecting the global variations and historical classifications. Medicinal Parts: Elder Flowers (Sambuci flos), Elder Berries (Sambuci fructus), leaves, bark, and roots. Active Constituents: The plant is rich in diverse phytochemicals, notably polyphenolics, including anthocyanins (giving the berries their dark color), flavonoids (like quercetin and rutin), and phenolic acids (like chlorogenic acid), as well as cyanogenic glycosides (like sambunigrin) which are toxic in certain parts of the raw plant.
Availability
Sambucus nigra is native to most of Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia and has become naturalized in North America and cultivated worldwide. It is a fast-growing, common species found in a wide variety of habitats, including forest edges, open woodlands, hedgerows, and disturbed, often eutrophic, areas. In the context of the secondary keyword, "Medicinal Plants of Nepal," the species Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis (syn. S. canadensis) is documented, found in temperate and sub-tropical regions of Nepal, with an elevation range of approximately 1000–1600 meters. The plant is noted as "Common" in terms of conservation status in Nepal.
External Look
The European Elder is characterized by: Habit: A deciduous shrub or small tree, typically growing 2–5 meters tall, sometimes reaching 10 meters. It has an arching, spreading habit with vigorous erect shoots. Bark: Pale gray-brown on mature stems, often sulcate (furrowed) and corky, with small, raised dots called lenticels. Young stems are green and scarcely woody. Leaves: Arranged oppositely, pinnate, 10–30 cm long, typically with 5 to 7 (rarely 9) leaflets. The leaflets are elliptic to lance-shaped, 4–15 cm long, with pointed tips and serrated (toothed) margins. Flowers: Small (0.3–0.6 cm wide), radially symmetrical, and ivory white, with a musky fragrance. They are borne in large, flat, umbrella-shaped, branched clusters (corymbs or umbels) at the ends of branches, which can be 5–30 cm wide. Flowering occurs in late spring to mid-summer. Fruit: A glossy, fleshy, dark purple to black berry, 3–5 mm in diameter, produced in drooping clusters in late autumn. Each berry typically contains 3–5 small seeds.
Healing Properties
The plant parts, especially the flowers and berries, have a wide range of documented traditional and researched healing properties: Diaphoretic and Sudorific: Elder flowers, when taken as an infusion, are traditionally used to induce sweating, making them valuable for treating fever and chills, common with colds and flu. Antiviral and Immunomodulatory: The berries and, to a degree, the flowers are noted for their significant antiviral activity (particularly against influenza viruses) and immunomodulatory effects. Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic: Extracts from the leaves and aerial parts have shown potent anti-inflammatory activity, attributed partly to compounds like chlorogenic acid and non-polar ingredients. Traditionally used externally as a poultice for rheumatic and catarrhal symptoms. Analgesic activity is also reported for the rhizome of a related species. Diuretic and Laxative/Aperient: The inner bark and leaves are strong diuretics and cathartics (though the leaves are considered too violent and unsafe for internal use). The berries are considered milder diuretic and aperient (laxative) agents. Antioxidant and Antihyperlipidemic: The dark berries are extremely rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, contributing to properties that may offer benefits like antioxidant activity and antihyperlipidemic activity (lowering blood lipids).
Advantages
The key advantages of Sambucus nigra and its components stem from its traditional efficacy and modern scientific validation: Effective Cold and Flu Remedy: The flowers (as a diaphoretic tea) and berries (often as a syrup or extract) are widely accepted traditional remedies for the relief of early symptoms of the common cold, flu, and upper respiratory infections. Clinical trials, particularly on the berry extracts, support its ability to reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms (fever, pain, congestion, cough). Rich Source of Antioxidants: The berries' high content of anthocyanins and polyphenolics offers significant antioxidant benefits, which can help combat oxidative stress and potentially contribute to cardiovascular health and overall wellness. Versatile Traditional Use: Different parts of the plant have distinct, well-established traditional applications (flowers for fever/inflammation, berries for rheumatism/diuresis, bark as a strong cathartic/diuretic). Culinary Uses: Beyond medicine, the flowers are used to make refreshing cordials and to flavor drinks/desserts, and the ripe, cooked berries are used for jams, jellies, wines, and syrups.
Uses
The different parts of the Elder are used for various purposes: Flowers (Sambuci flos): Internal: Herbal tea/infusion as a diaphoretic for fever, colds, and flu. External: Infusion as a wash for weakness of the eyes or as a complexion wash. Ointment/poultices for swellings, boils, abscesses, cracks, and chaps, due to its cooling and emollient properties. Berries (Sambuci fructus): Medicinal: Juice, syrup, or wine for rheumatic/gouty affections, dropsical complaints, and as an alterative and diuretic/aperient. Used as an anti-influenza remedy. Culinary: After cooking (essential for edibility), used to make jam, jelly, wine, and syrup. Leaves: External: Poultice for rheumatic pain, sores, burns, and headaches. Used externally for the same purposes as flowers (poultices to discuss collections of lymph). Internal: Considered unsafe for internal use due to strong, violent cathartic action. Inner Bark: Internal: Strong diuretic and cathartic, used in dropsical complaints.
Using Way
The traditional and clinical ways of using Elder preparations vary by the plant part and desired effect: Tea/Infusion (Flowers): Dosage: Approximately 1 teaspoon of dried flowers per cup of water, taken three to four times per day as a diaphoretic for cold/flu symptoms. Syrup/Tincture (Berries): Syrup Dosage: Typically, 1 teaspoon four times per day for anti-influenza effect. Tincture Dosage: 2–5 ml three to four times per day. Decoction/Infusion (Bark/Leaves): Inner Bark: Used as a strong diuretic/cathartic, but due to its potency, specific traditional knowledge and caution are necessary. Leaves: Primarily for external use as a poultice. The leaves should not be used internally due to the risk of severe cathartic and inflammatory symptoms. External Application: Poultice: Prepared from fresh or mashed flowers, leaves, or a paste made from the berries, applied directly to the skin for inflammation, rheumatism, boils, or sores. Ointment: Prepared from the flowers for topical use on chaps and skin problems. Important Safety Note: Except for the properly cooked, ripe berries and the prepared flowers, all other parts of the plant (especially raw berries, seeds, leaves, and stems) are considered mildly poisonous because they contain cyanogenic glycosides (like sambunigrin). Improper preparation or consumption of raw parts can cause nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. Pregnant individuals and those with allergies or gastrointestinal diseases should exercise caution or avoid elderberry products.
Conclusion
Sambucus nigra and its complex of related species, including those found in regions like Nepal, represent a significant and multifaceted medicinal plant resource. Historically revered across many cultures, the Elder is primarily valued today for its flowers as a safe, traditional diaphoretic for treating fevers, colds, and respiratory ailments, and for its berries as a powerful source of antioxidants with scientifically supported antiviral activity against influenza. While its utility extends to anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and laxative properties, users must be keenly aware of the toxicity of raw parts of the plant and adhere strictly to preparations using only the ripe, cooked berries or prepared flowers. Its long history of use and the richness of its phytochemical composition ensure its continued relevance in both traditional and modern herbal medicine.
