Herb reference

Elderflower

Sambucus nigra L.

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Botanical / editorial

Family: Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae)
Plant type: deciduous shrub or small tree
Route: Mixed route
Evidence tier: Mixed evidence

Europe, North Africa, western Asia (naturalised in North America)3000+Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae)

Botanical / meta

Botanical identity

Botanical description

Elder is a fast-growing deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 3–10 m in height, with smooth grey bark that becomes rough and furrowed with age. Leaves are pinnately compound with 5–7 oval, serrated leaflets arranged oppositely along the stem. Small, creamy-white, five-petaled flowers are borne in large, flat-topped, umbrella-shaped clusters (corymbs) 10–25 cm across, emitting a sweet, musky fragrance. The flowers mature into drooping clusters of small, round, glossy black-purple berries. Both the flowers and the ripe berries are used, though they differ in preparation requirements and safety profiles.

Pharmacognosy intro

Elderflowers contain flavonoids (primarily quercetin, isoquercetin, rutin, kaempferol, and astragalin), phenolic acids, triterpenes (α- and β-amyrin, ursolic acid), sterols, mucilage, and essential oil (0.01–0.05%) containing free fatty acids and alkanes. The flavonoid fraction is considered the primary bioactive component, with rutin and quercetin glycosides contributing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and diaphoretic properties. The Commission E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices approved elderflower for colds, and the dried flowers should contain a minimum of 0.80% flavonoids expressed as isoquercetin. Elderflowers do NOT contain the cyanogenic glycosides found in the seeds, bark, leaves, and unripe berries, making them significantly safer than other plant parts.

Editorial orientation

The practical read

Body-first read

What it is for

Route panel

Preparation shapes the claim

Evidence and safety may differ by preparation. Essential oil, tea, tincture, extract, infused oil, and topical use are not interchangeable.

Mixed route

Quality

Fresh, dried, oil, and garden read

Growing tips

Elder is an exceptionally hardy shrub that grows in almost any soil type, including poor and heavy clay soils. It prefers full sun to partial shade and is tolerant of wet conditions. It spreads readily via suckers and can become invasive in favourable conditions. Propagate from hardwood cuttings in autumn or from seed. Harvest flower clusters in late spring to early summer when fully open. Harvest berries in late summer to autumn when fully ripe and black. Prune hard in late winter to encourage vigorous new growth. Elder is an excellent plant for wildlife gardens, supporting numerous pollinators and birds.

Quality notes

Dried elderflowers should be creamy-white to pale yellow, with a sweet, floral, slightly musky aroma. The individual flower umbels should be intact and free from excessive stem material, leaves, or discolouration. Fresh flowers should be fully open, fragrant, and harvested on a dry day after morning dew has evaporated. The minimum flavonoid content for medicinal-grade dried elderflower is 0.80% expressed as isoquercetin (Commission E standard). Elderflower cordial and syrups should be prepared from fresh or dried flowers and consumed within a reasonable timeframe. Store dried flowers in airtight containers away from light. Verify correct species identity — only Sambucus nigra flowers should be used.

Companion

Crystal pairing reference

Crystal side

Companion crystal

The deeper layer

Compound and clinical layer

Clinical and compound notes are included as a research layer, not as treatment instructions.

Safety intro

Elderflower is GRAS when used as a food flavouring and is generally recognised as safe when consumed in traditional medicinal amounts. The most critical safety distinction is between elderFLOWERS and other plant parts: the flowers do NOT contain significant cyanogenic glycosides and are safe to consume without cooking. However, the leaves, bark, roots, and unripe berries contain sambunigrin and other cyanogenic glycosides that can release hydrogen cyanide when metabolised — these parts are toxic and should never be consumed. Ripe black berries are safe only when cooked (cooking degrades cyanogenic glycosides); raw berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Do not confuse Sambucus nigra (black elder) with Sambucus racemosa (red elder), which has bright red berries in upright clusters and is considered more toxic. Sambucus ebulus (dwarf elder, danewort) is toxic and should not be used. Elderflower is generally safe during pregnancy and lactation at traditional doses, though individuals with autoimmune conditions should use caution due to theoretical immunomodulatory effects. Rare allergic reactions have been reported.

Questions

Frequently asked about Elderflower

Who should avoid elderflower and what are the key safety distinctions?

The most important safety point with Sambucus nigra is the difference between the flowers and other plant parts. Elderflowers do not contain significant cyanogenic glycosides and are safe to consume without cooking, whereas the leaves, bark, roots, and unripe berries contain sambunigrin and related cyanogenic glycosides that release hydrogen cyanide and must never be used. Ripe black berries are safe only after cooking, which degrades the cyanogenic compounds. Do not confuse black elder with Sambucus racemosa (red elder) or the toxic Sambucus ebulus (dwarf elder, danewort). Elderflower is generally considered safe in pregnancy and lactation at traditional doses, though those with autoimmune conditions should use caution given theoretical immunomodulatory effects, and rare allergic reactions have been reported.

How should elderflower be prepared and dosed?

Elderflower is most often used as a hot infusion to support its traditional diaphoretic action in colds and feverish conditions. The dried flowers are typically steeped covered in just-boiled water for ten to fifteen minutes so the volatile oil and flavonoids are retained rather than lost as steam. The flavonoid fraction, primarily quercetin, isoquercetin, rutin, and kaempferol glycosides, is regarded as the main bioactive component. The German Commission E approved elderflower for colds, and pharmacopoeial dried flower should contain a minimum of 0.80% flavonoids expressed as isoquercetin. Elderflower also appears in cordials and syrups, where gentle heat preserves the aromatic and flavonoid content.

How do I evaluate the quality of dried elderflower?

Good dried elderflower should be pale cream to light yellow with a sweet, honeyed, slightly musky aroma, not brown, dusty, or scentless. Browning and loss of fragrance signal oxidation and degradation of the volatile oil and flavonoids. The flowers should be largely separated from coarse green stalk material, since the green parts carry more of the undesirable constituents and add bitterness. A clean floral scent on opening the container is the practical marker that the aromatic fraction is intact. Pharmacopoeial-grade material is standardized to at least 0.80% flavonoids as isoquercetin.

How is elderflower different from elderberry from the same plant?

Elderflower and elderberry come from the same plant, Sambucus nigra, but differ in chemistry and use. The flowers are rich in flavonoids and a small amount of volatile oil and are used mainly as a diaphoretic infusion for colds and feverish states, and they do not contain the cyanogenic glycosides found in other parts. The berries are dominated by anthocyanins such as cyanidin-3-sambubioside and are used as a cooked antiviral syrup for upper respiratory episodes. Crucially, the flowers can be used without cooking, while the berries must be heated to destroy cyanogenic compounds. So although they share a source plant, they are prepared and applied quite differently.

How should dried elderflower be stored?

Store dried elderflower in airtight containers away from light, heat, and moisture to protect the flavonoids and the delicate volatile oil. Kept this way, the flowers retain useful quality for about one year, after which the aroma and flavonoid content noticeably decline. Browning, a flat or musty smell, and loss of the sweet floral scent indicate the material is past its best. Avoid storing near humidity, since the flowers readily absorb moisture and can mold. The retained honeyed fragrance on opening is the simplest sign the elderflower is still good.

Sources & Citations

Where this entry can be checked

Peer-reviewed sources for the pharmacological and clinical claims on this page. Crystalis herb entries describe tradition and current research; they are reference, not medical advice.

01
SCI
Bioactive Components from Flowers of Sambucus nigra L. Increase Glucose Uptake in Primary Porcine Myotube Cultures and Reduce Fat Accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Bhattacharya S, Christensen KB, Olsen LC, Christensen LP, Grevsen K, Faergeman NJ, Kristiansen K, Young JF, Oksbjerg N. (2013). Bioactive Components from Flowers of Sambucus nigra L. Increase Glucose Uptake in Primary Porcine Myotube Cultures and Reduce Fat Accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. [SCI]DOI 10.1021/jf402838a

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