{"id":10158,"date":"2026-09-21T18:42:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T18:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/wiki-archiv\/holunderbeere-sambucus-nigra\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T18:42:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T18:42:30","slug":"holunderbeere-sambucus-nigra","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wiki-archiv\/holunderbeere-sambucus-nigra\/","title":{"rendered":"Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"position:relative;width:100%;min-height:340px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2c3e6b,#4a5fa5,#7d8fd1);border-radius:12px;margin:0 0 24px 0;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:40px;\">\n<h1 style=\"color:#ffffff;margin:0;text-align:center;\">Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"eh-arch\">\n<div class=\"ea-steck\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Botanical name<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Sambucus nigra<small>Muskroot family (Adoxaceae)<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">is used<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">The ripe berries<small>only cooked - as juice, puree, jelly<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">The taste<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Herbaceous, fruity, earthy<small>cooked mild and deep dark<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Origin<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Europe, Western Asia<small>at every forest edge and roadside<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Known for<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">Anthocyanins<small>stains juice, fingers and clothes<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">season<\/div>\n<div class=\"v\">August to October<small>as juice year-round<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-body\">\n<nav class=\"ea-nav\">\n<div class=\"t\">On this page<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"#herkunft\">Origin<\/a><a href=\"#nutzen\">To use<\/a><a href=\"#inhalt\">Ingredients<\/a><a href=\"#kombi\">Reinforced combinations &amp; what clashes<\/a><a href=\"#gerichte\">In the kitchen<\/a><a href=\"#hausmittel\">As a home remedy<\/a><a href=\"#tradition\">Ayurveda &amp; TCM<\/a><a href=\"#warn\">Warning notices<\/a><a href=\"#passend\">Related to the topic<\/a><a href=\"#quellen\">Sources<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"box\"><b>In short<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Elderberries are the black autumn fruit of the same shrub that bears the fragrant elderflowers in early summer. They are rich in anthocyanins, vitamin C, and fiber\u2014but should never be eaten raw. Only when heated above 80\u00b0C is the substance sambunigrin broken down, which otherwise causes nausea and vomiting. Elderberry juice is a popular home remedy for colds, but the research supporting its use is limited.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<div>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"herkunft\">\n<h2><span>Origin<\/span>The Tree of Frau Holle<\/h2>\n<div class=\"eh-kraeuter-img\"><img class=\"lazyload\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%27800%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201200%20800%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%27800%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/holunderbeere-sambucus-nigra.jpg\" alt=\"Schwarze Holunderbeeren an Dolden auf Holz\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:14px;border:2px solid rgba(201,162,75,0.4);box-shadow:0 8px 24px rgba(23,58,36,0.15);\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-satz\">The elder tree was considered the dwelling place of good house spirits - one took off one&#039;s hat before it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ea-drop\">Black elderberry grows throughout Europe, extending into West Asia and North Africa, preferring nitrogen-rich soils at forest edges, stream banks, farmyards, and along roadsides. Almost every farm used to have its own elderberry bush.<\/p>\n<p>Flowers and berries are two different things: The white flower umbels in May and June are used for tea, syrup, and elderflower fritters. The berries ripen from August onwards and hang in heavy, nodding clusters. It is dangerous to confuse them with the... <strong>Dwarf elderberry<\/strong> (<i>Sambucus ebulus<\/i>It does not grow as a shrub, but as a herbaceous perennial about one meter tall, smells unpleasant, and bears its berries in <em>upright<\/em> Umbels. It is considered poisonous and is not eaten.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"nutzen\">\n<h2><span>To use<\/span>What elderberries can do for you<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ea-drop\">According to the USDA, 100g of raw elderberries provide approximately 73 kcal, about 7g of carbohydrates. <strong>Dietary fiber<\/strong>, approximately 36 mg <strong>Vitamin C<\/strong> and about 280 mg of potassium. Above all, they are one of the richest domestic sources of <strong>Anthocyanins<\/strong> - blue-violet dyes, mainly cyanidin glycosides, which have a strong antioxidant effect in the laboratory.<\/p>\n<p>Elderberry juice is known as a home remedy for <strong>Colds and flu<\/strong>. A 2019 meta-analysis summarized four small studies with a total of 180 participants and found shorter and milder symptoms with elderberry extract. However, a more thorough systematic review from 2021 assessed the evidence as <em>unsure<\/em>The studies were small, often supported by manufacturers, and used standardized extracts, not household juice.<\/p>\n<p>To be honest: Hot elderberry juice is a warming, vitamin-rich drink that&#039;s soothing during cold and flu season. Whether it noticeably shortens a cold is uncertain. Unlike elderflowers, there&#039;s no recognized medicinal monograph for elderberries.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ea-zahlen\">\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approx. 7 g<\/b><span>Dietary fiber per 100 g<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>approx. 36 mg<\/b><span>Vitamin C per 100 g (raw)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>above 80 \u00b0C<\/b><span>Heat it up - then sambunigrin is broken down.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ea-zahl\"><b>4 studies<\/b><span>with 180 people in the 2019 meta-analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"inhalt\">\n<h2><span>Ingredients<\/span>This is what&#039;s in elderberries<\/h2>\n<p>Elderberries contain anthocyanins (especially cyanidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-glucoside), flavonols such as rutin and quercetin, phenolic acids, fruit acids, sugars, fiber, vitamin C, provitamin A, B vitamins, potassium and some iron.<\/p>\n<p>Unripe berries, stems, leaves and seeds contain the cyanogenic glycoside <strong>Sambunigrin<\/strong> and other irritating substances. The concentration is lower in ripe berries, but not zero. Heat above 80\u00b0C largely destroys these substances \u2013 that&#039;s why elderberries are always cooked, steamed, or hot-juiced.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"kombi\">\n<h2><span>Enhanced combinations<\/span>What makes elderberry stronger<\/h2>\n<p>Elderberry tastes earthy and tart when cooked - acidity, sweetness and spices make it well-rounded.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ea-kombi\">\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">acid<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>apple or lemon<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Enhances the aroma, preserves the color.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">spice<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>Cinnamon, clove &amp; ginger<\/i><\/div>\n<p>For hot elderberry punch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Soup<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>Pear &amp; semolina dumplings<\/i><\/div>\n<p>North German elderberry soup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Breakfast<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">as <i>Puree in yogurt<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Anthocyanins in a spoonable form.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Berries<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>Aronia or blackberry<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Dark berries in a mix.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">sweetness<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">with <i>little honey<\/i><\/div>\n<p>First add it to the cooled juice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"ea-beisst-h\"><span>What contradicts itself<\/span>It&#039;s best to avoid these combinations.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ea-kombi beisst\">\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Raw<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>snacking on raw<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Immature<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">no <i>green berries<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Anything with sambunigrin \u2013 always sort it out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">stems<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>with stems &amp; leaves<\/i> press<\/div>\n<p>It led to poisonings in the USA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">confusion<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>Dwarf elderberry<\/i> harvest<\/div>\n<p>Upright umbels, herbaceous perennial - poisonous.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">heat<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not <i>cold juicing<\/i><\/div>\n<p>Only juice or boil hot.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c\"><span class=\"tag\">Expectation<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mit\">not as <i>Flu remedies<\/i> understand<\/div>\n<p>It does not replace treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"gerichte\">\n<h2><span>In the kitchen<\/span>Where she belongs<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"ea-gerichte\">\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderberry juice<\/span><span class=\"w\">Hot-juiced, pure or diluted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderberry soup<\/span><span class=\"w\">With apples and semolina dumplings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderberry jelly<\/span><span class=\"w\">With apple juice for binding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderberry puree<\/span><span class=\"w\">With pancakes or semolina pudding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderberry punch<\/span><span class=\"w\">Hot with cinnamon and cloves.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderberry chutney<\/span><span class=\"w\">Onions go well with game and cheese.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderflower sorbet<\/span><span class=\"w\">Made from boiled juice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Red fruit jelly<\/span><span class=\"w\">With elderberries and blackberries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderberry vinegar<\/span><span class=\"w\">Made from heated juice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"g\">Elderflower balsamic sauce<\/span><span class=\"w\">Cooked down into red cabbage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ea-tipp\"><b>Rule of thumb:<\/b> Harvest the umbels only when all the berries are jet black and release red juice when crushed. Strip the berries from the stems with a fork, sort out any green or red berries, then cook for at least ten minutes or juice in a steam juicer.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"hausmittel\">\n<h2><span>As a home remedy<\/span>Hot elderberry juice during cold season<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-rezept\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">Here&#039;s how it works<\/div>\n<h3>Hot elderberry juice<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Boil 500g of ripe elderberries, stripped of their stems, with 250ml of water in a pot.<\/li>\n<li>Let it boil vigorously for at least 10 minutes, crushing the berries in the process.<\/li>\n<li>Strain through a fine sieve or cloth and reheat to taste with apple juice, a cinnamon stick and some ginger.<\/li>\n<li>Let it cool slightly, sweeten with a teaspoon of honey if desired, and drink warm in small sips.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"k\">For what<\/div>\n<p>As a warming drink at the onset of a cold \u2013 it provides fluids, warmth, vitamin C, and anthocyanins. Whether it shortens the duration of the illness is not scientifically proven; however, it feels good and, when boiled, is harmless.<\/p>\n<div class=\"k\" style=\"margin-top:14px\">Crowd<\/div>\n<p>1 to 2 cups a day. No honey for children under one year old. Consult a doctor if fever lasts more than three days, if breathing difficulties occur, or if the child is very young.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"tradition\">\n<h2><span>Ayurveda &amp; TCM<\/span>What the old systems say<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-trad\">\n<div>\n<h3>Ayurveda<\/h3>\n<p>European elderberry is not described in classical Ayurveda. According to current understanding, cooked berries are considered tart, slightly warming, and diaphoretic \u2013 balancing for Kapha, and for Vata when combined with warming spices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3>Traditional Chinese Medicine<\/h3>\n<p>In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an Asian elderberry is primarily used (<i>Sambucus williamsii<\/i>) used, specifically the branches, not the berries. Elderberries are not a traditional medicine there.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"warn\">\n<h2><span>Warning notices<\/span>When you should be careful<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-warn\">\n<h3>Please note<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Never raw:<\/strong> Raw or unripe berries can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea - always heat above 80\u00b0C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stems and leaves:<\/strong> Do not press or boil; in California, juice pressed in this way led to poisoning (CDC 1984).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dwarf elderberry:<\/strong> Herbaceous perennial with upright umbels - poisonous, do not harvest.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A cold:<\/strong> Elderberry is not a substitute for medical treatment, especially for children, the elderly, and those with high fever.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pregnancy:<\/strong> Boiled juice in normal quantities is considered safe; data is lacking on extracts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Autoimmune diseases:<\/strong> If taking immunosuppressants, consult your doctor before using extracts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-hinw\">This page provides information and does not replace medical advice. If symptoms persist, please consult a doctor.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k\" id=\"passend\">\n<h2><span>Related to the topic<\/span>Read on and cook along!<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ea-passend\"><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/holunderblueten-sambucus-nigra\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Elderflowers<\/span><span class=\"d\">The blossoms of the same shrub.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/aronia-aronia-melanocarpa\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Aronia<\/span><span class=\"d\">Even more anthocyanins.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/schwarze-johannisbeere-ribes-nigrum\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Blackcurrant<\/span><span class=\"d\">Vitamin C berries from the garden.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/brombeere-rubus-fruticosus\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">blackberry<\/span><span class=\"d\">For red berry compote with elderberry.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/ingwer-zingiber-officinale\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Ginger<\/span><span class=\"d\">For the hot elderberry juice.<\/span><\/a><a href=\"\/en\/wiki-archiv\/roter-sonnenhut-echinacea-purpurea\/\"><span class=\"art\">Archive<\/span><span class=\"n\">Red Coneflower<\/span><span class=\"d\">The other cold remedy plant.<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<p class=\"ea-hinw\">Shop links lead to our product pages; it is indicated there if a partner is involved.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ea-k ea-quellen\" id=\"quellen\">\n<h2><span>Sources<\/span>What is this based on?<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne E. <em>Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials.<\/em> Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2019; 42: 361\u2013365.<\/li>\n<li>Wieland LS, Piechotta V, Feinberg T et al. <em>Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review.<\/em> BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 2021; 21:112.<\/li>\n<li>Centers for Disease Control (CDC). <em>Poisoning from elderberry juice - California.<\/em> MMWR 1984; 33(13): 173\u2013174.<\/li>\n<li>Federal Centre for Nutrition (BZfE): <em>Elderberry harvest time.<\/em> 2024.<\/li>\n<li>Consumer Advice Center Bavaria: <em>Why shouldn&#039;t you eat elderberries raw?<\/em><\/li>\n<li>USDA FoodData Central: <em>Elderberries, raw<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Holunderbeere (Sambucus nigra) Botanischer Name Sambucus nigraMoschuskrautgew\u00e4chse (Adoxaceae) Verwendet wird Die reifen Beerennur gekocht - als Saft, Mus, Gelee Geschmack Herb-fruchtig, erdiggekocht mild und tiefdunkel Herkunft Europa, Westasienan jedem Waldrand und Wegesrand Bekannt f\u00fcr Anthocyanef\u00e4rben Saft, Finger und Kleidung Saison August bis Oktoberals Saft ganzj\u00e4hrig Auf dieser Seite HerkunftNutzenInhaltsstoffeVerst\u00e4rkte Kombis &amp; was sich bei\u00dftIn der<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10157,"parent":5278,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10158","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10158\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5278"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edenshealth.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}