Monthly Herb Spotlight! Elderberry Whole

Common Name:  Elderberry
Also known as:  Elder
Botanical Name:  Sambucus nigra
Country of Origin:  Albania
Plant Parts Used:  Entire berry
Appearance: Intense Blue-Purple


Elderberry is found on a flowering plant/shrub and is a member of the honeysuckle family. This deciduous shrub produces a fruit that, in recent years has become very popular. Although the flowers and berries are edible all other parts of this shrub are poisonous containing toxic calcium oxalate crystals.

Edible purplish-black fruit ripens in drooping clusters late summer and they measure 3–5 mm in diameter. Elderberries are particularly rich in flavonoids, especially anthocyanins. In addition to their culinary uses, elderberries are commonly used in cough syrups and used to treat symptoms of flu, colds and constipation.

Fun Fact: Made from the branch of an elder tree, the Elder Wand plays a pivotal role in the final book of the Harry Potter series

Elderberry Whole Information