“Sambucus” is on the front of a lot of immune products in the pharmacy. It is simply the Latin name for elder. Here is a plain-English guide to the plant, the berry and why supplement makers care about it.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against peer-reviewed botanical and clinical research and NIH guidance
What is black elderberry?
Black elderberry is the fruit of Sambucus nigra, the European black elder, a shrub or small tree native to most of Europe and now grown in many other regions for its fruit and flowers[1]. The berries are rich in polyphenols, especially anthocyanins such as cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside[1]. It is the species used in most elderberry clinical trials[2].
Caveat: Like other elders, the plant also contains cyanogenic glycosides, so the berries need to be ripe and cooked or processed before eating[3].
Sources: Młynarczyk et al., 2018 · Hawkins et al., 2019 · NCCIH · Verified 2026-09-27
IN THIS ARTICLE
What kind of plant is Sambucus nigra?
European black elder is a shrub or small tree. It produces flat clusters of tiny creamy-white flowers (elderflowers), which are followed by clusters of small, near-black berries.
It grows naturally across most of Europe and parts of North Africa, and has been introduced for fruit and flower production in places including East Asia, North America, New Zealand and southern Australia[1]. Commercially, the parts that matter are the fruit and the flowers, although bark, roots, stems and leaves have been used in folk practice[1]. Those other parts are exactly the ones you shouldn’t eat.
What is actually in black elderberries?
Elderberries contain carbohydrates, organic acids, minerals and vitamins, but researchers are most interested in their polyphenols, a family of plant compounds known for antioxidant activity[1]. The standout group is anthocyanins, the pigments that make the berries so dark. The two dominant ones in black elderberry are cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside[1].
Alongside the good stuff, elder plants contain cyanogenic glycosides such as sambunigrin, which can release cyanide. Levels are highest in the leaves and much lower in ripe berries, and heat treatment breaks them down[1]. Our explainer Are Elderberries Poisonous? covers this in detail.
How is black elderberry different from other elderberries?
“Elderberry” can refer to several Sambucus species and subspecies. In North America you will also find blue elderberries[4]. Red-berried elders are a separate group, and Oregon State University Extension advises home food preservers not to use red elderberries because they may carry higher toxin levels, especially in the seeds[4].
For supplement shoppers, the practical point is this: the trials pooled in the 2019 meta-analysis used black elderberry, Sambucus nigra[2]. If a product just says “elderberry,” check the Supplement Facts panel for the species and the form (fruit extract, juice concentrate, and so on). Our Elderberry Gummies 101 guide explains how to read those labels.
What does the research say black elderberry does?
Lab studies of black elderberry extract have shown activity against several influenza strains in cell cultures[5], which is part of why it attracted clinical interest. In people, a handful of small randomized trials suggest it may ease cold and flu symptoms and shorten them modestly[2], while a 2020 flu trial found no benefit[6]. NCCIH calls the research preliminary and says there isn’t enough information to show it helps with other health purposes[3].
For the trial-by-trial breakdown, see Elderberry for Flu: What the Clinical Trials Found, and for the bigger picture, What Is Elderberry Good For?.
The honest summary
- Sambucus nigra is the European black elder, the main species in supplements and studies.
- Its berries are rich in anthocyanins, especially cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside.
- Leaves, stems and unripe berries contain cyanogenic glycosides; ripe berries must be cooked or processed.
- Human evidence is limited to small trials on cold and flu symptoms.
What forms does black elderberry come in?
You will find black elderberry as syrups, gummies, lozenges, capsules, teas and juice concentrates, as well as in jams and cordials. Supplement forms usually use an extract, sometimes described with a ratio such as “30:1,” meaning a given amount of berries was concentrated down into a smaller amount of extract. Ratios aren’t standardized across brands, so they are not a perfect comparison tool. For a format-by-format look, read Elderberry Syrup vs. Gummies: Which Is Better?.
Our option
Vita Globe Elderberry 150mg Gummies with Vitamin C & Zinc
Each two-gummy serving has 150 mg of elderberry fruit extract (30:1), plus 150 mg of vitamin C and 10 mg of zinc (as zinc gluconate), in a blueberry-flavored gummy. It is made for adults, taken as two gummies a day with a meal, and is vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO. Contains coconut (tree nut). Tested by an independent third-party lab. For a line-by-line look at the formula, see our What’s Actually Inside breakdown.*
Frequently asked questions
Is Sambucus the same as elderberry?
Sambucus is the genus name for elder plants. Sambucus nigra, black elder, is the species most elderberry products use[1]. Sambucol is a brand name; see our brand comparison.
What is the difference between elderberry and elderflower?
Both come from the same plant. Elderflowers are the blossoms, used in cordials and teas; elderberries are the fruit that develops afterward[1].
Is black elderberry the same as blackberry?
No. Blackberries are a Rubus species and are safe to eat raw. Elderberries are a different plant and should be cooked first[3].
Does black elderberry have vitamin C?
Elderberries contain some vitamins[1], but amounts vary and extracts aren’t a reliable vitamin source. Combination products add vitamin C separately and list it on the label.
Where does elderberry grow in the U.S.?
European black elder is cultivated in North America[1], and other elders, such as blue elderberry, grow there too[4]. Only forage if you are certain of identification.
Sources
- Młynarczyk K, Walkowiak-Tomczak D, Łysiak GP. Bioactive properties of Sambucus nigra L. as a functional ingredient for food and pharmaceutical industry. J Funct Foods. 2018;40:377-390. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2017.11.025
- Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne E. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019;42:361-365. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Elderberry: Usefulness and Safety. Updated November 2024. nccih.nih.gov/health/elderberry
- Oehler N, Waite-Cusic J, Hibbard-Swanson J. Play it safe when preserving elderberries (EM 9446). Oregon State University Extension Service; November 2024. extension.oregonstate.edu
- Zakay-Rones Z, Varsano N, Zlotnik M, et al. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. J Altern Complement Med. 1995;1(4):361-369. doi:10.1089/acm.1995.1.361
- Macknin M, Wolski K, Negrey J, Mace S. Elderberry extract outpatient influenza treatment for emergency room patients ages 5 and above: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Gen Intern Med. 2020;35(11):3271-3277. doi:10.1007/s11606-020-06170-w
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
