Sambucus: the plant of tradition

Sambucus nigra, from the Greek “sambyke” meaning musical instrument crafted from the hollowed branches’ pith, and “nigra” indicating the color of its fruits, translates to “pipe tree” or “bore tree” in English, commonly known as elder. Similar species that might cause confusion include Sambucus ebulus (Dwarf Elder) and Sambucus racemosa or Red Elder.

Elder is a shrub or tree typically reaching heights of 4-5 meters, boasting an expansive, dense, and globular crown. Its trunk, erect and branching from the base, exhibits a sinuous, often bifurcated form, with large branches sporting gray bark, curving gracefully. The distinctive feature of the trunk’s branches is the central white, soft, and elastic pith.

Leaves, opposite and petiolate, are pinnate with 5-7 serrated oval segments, measuring 20-30 cm in length, featuring a toothed margin and prominent secondary veins. Accompanied by stipules at the base of the leafstalk, these leaves, when crushed, release a strong, albeit not entirely pleasant, characteristic odor.

Small-sized flowers, arranged in umbrella-like inflorescences up to 20 cm, initially stand erect before gracefully bowing. They possess a short, bell-shaped calyx and a corolla comprised of 5 ivory-colored petals, occasionally tinged with red, presenting an oval shape. Blossoming occurs between April and June.

The fruits are small, globose drupes, initially green and later turning purple-black, glossy, and juicy upon ripening. They contain 2-5 oval, brown seeds, grouped in pendulous clusters on reddish peduncles.

Elder thrives in damp, fertile soil with exposure to full sun or partial shade, commonly found in uncultivated areas, thickets, along roadsides, and near watercourses. The plant propagates through cuttings in spring.

Elder is an herbal plant with a rich tradition in folk medicine and is still widely used in culinary practices today.

The medicinal components encompass flowers, bark, fruits, and leaves. The flowers quickly dry in the air and sun, adopting a yellow-brown color and a more intense aromatic odor than when fresh.

Elderflowers contain flavonoids, essential oil, tannin, and triterpenes; the leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides (sambunigrin, prunasin, and zigrin), while the bark contains lectins, tannic acid, valerianic acid, resin, sugars, and sambucin. The fruits boast retinol, carotenoids, beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B2, B6, pantothenic acid, nicotinamide, biotin, vitamin C, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, tannic acid, sugars, sodium, potassium, and calcium.

Elderflowers possess diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, weakly anti-inflammatory, and bronchial secretion-stimulating properties. Recommended for cold treatment in the form of a tea 1-2 times a day. A decoction of elderflowers, along with nettle (leaves) and mallow (flowers and leaves), used for fumigation and nasal washes, provides an alternative remedy for colds.

The paste of fresh flowers collected in late spring is used externally on burns.

Dried flowers can be used to flavor alcoholic beverages, bitters, white wine, and vinegar, transforming the scent into a subtle and pleasant aroma. Fresh flowers, fried in batter and then coated with sugar, make an excellent dessert, also suitable for salads, omelets, and fruit salads.

Externally, flowers exhibit astringent and soothing activities on the skin, useful for boils, burns, and hemorrhoids.

Bark containing sambunigrin and sambucin has anti-edematous, diuretic, and laxative effects. The bark decoction was consumed as a diuretic and emmenagogue, but caution is advised as excessive intake may induce nausea.

Leaves possess laxative and astringent properties; a pinch of powdered dried leaves can help stop nosebleeds.

Fruits offer antiemetic, laxative, depurative, and antineuralgic properties. When fully ripe, they can be consumed but are commonly used for making jams and syrups. The juice extracted from the fruits can be employed to dye natural fibers in various shades of purple. In the past, it served as a leather dye and ink source until a few decades ago.

Elder is a safe plant, but moderation in fruit consumption is crucial, and unripe ones should be avoided as they may cause nausea and vomiting. Care must be taken not to confuse it with the similar species mentioned earlier.

Traditional uses often align with scientifically proven benefits: fresh leaves, boiled in water and placed in gauze compresses, were helpful for burns, scalds, and skin inflammations. Stem bark was scraped and applied to cheeks in cases of dental abscesses, while the inner bark decoction was ingested for colds. Flower infusion was used for foot baths to treat chilblains.

Beyond its healthful properties, elder was also a subject of “ancient” games: carved and hollowed branches served as blowpipes for children to shoot cloth balls or spray water.

Elder has inspired numerous legends and superstitions, with tales suggesting its wood was used to build the cross on which Jesus was crucified and the tree to which Judas Iscariot hanged himself after his betrayal; hence, it became a symbol of suffering.

ANJA LATINI

Registered Herbalist with RNEP No. GLT0018S