elderberry

Sambucus nigra L.

black elderberry

[Follow the Wikipedia links]

We are starting the New Year off by introducing rare berries

likely not well known to most readers of the Berry Doctor's Journal.

Our fourth and last of this series has been called

"Nature's medicine chest" for the diverse and rich concentrations of

bioactive phytochemicals it contains.

Black elderberry

Near the top of the rankings for

North America's highest ORAC fruits

(14,700 units per 100 g -- about the same as aronia

and 50% higher than cranberries!)

including a table of ORAC rankings for berries

Summary of nutrients for elderberry

(per 100 g serving)

(Nutritiondata.com)

Highlights of elderberry's reputation

a folk medicine in Europe and among First Nations people in North America for centuries
the North American elderberry grows in every US state and in most provinces of Canada (called Sambucus canadensis)
gives luck and the "wisdom of elders" to farmers and gardeners who grow it
one of Nature's richest berry sources of vitamin C
one of Nature's richest contents of two anthocyanins responsible for its near-black color: cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside (note origin from elderberry's botanical name)
berries are so concentrated with cyanidins that they may be slightly toxic if eaten raw, requiring cooking or other processing for human use
source of a favorite eastern European fruit wine and brandy
source of Italian sambuca (ask for this aperitif treat when you next visit an authentic Italian restaurant!)
one of Nature's prettiest and most fragrant fruit tree flowers (below)

Black elderberry flowers in Spring, South Carolina, USA

A recent study by USDA scientists showed high concentrations of

Why are manufacturers and consumers

now interested in black elderberry?

intense fruity taste and deep dark violet color; strong fruit fragrance
potential health benefits of such an enriched anthocyanin source
high content of antioxidant phenolics and vitamin C (about 60 mg per 100 g, the same as a fresh orange)
a model source of fruit anthocyanins shown to be strong antioxidants in laboratory experiments -- click for a research abstract!

in a human study click!

Recent Medical Research on Black Elderberries

included among several berries with potential to have a general positive impact on human health (click!)