Embedded Files
Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: Abdominal cramps, abdominal distention, anxiety, coma, decreased consciousness, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, headache, hypotension, loose stools, nausea, numbness, paralysis, stupor, vomiting, weakness.
Duration of Symptoms: 4 hours - 36 hours
Rate of Poison: 15 minutes
Causes Death: Possibly, very rare.
Treatment: Sodium nitrate and sodium thiosulfate given intravenously.
While all of the elderflowers looks the same, each species of plant is also slightly different from one another, including the various toxins that may result. However, you should not worry about getting poisoned while drinking elderberry tea, as everything is prepared so the toxins are removed.
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Just like the plant, each type of berry is also unique. However, it is not recommended to eat these berries raw, as this how people are most often poisoned by the plant, resulting in various stomach ailments. Typically, the berries need to be ripe before consumption.
Photo: AnRo0002 - Wikimedia Commons
Main Toxin
Main Toxin
Molecular structure of sambunigrin (ChemDraw)
Sambunigrin
Sambunigrin
Sambunigrin is a cyanogenic glycoside consisting of an aglycone. When certain enzymes interact with cyanogenic glycosides, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is released, which is what causes the toxicity issue. Cyanide will cease the transportation of electrons and stop cellular respiration, which causes the development of pyruvic acid, which turns into lactic acid. The lactic acid builds up and causes metabolic acidosis. As a result, oxygen builds up in the tissues, producing hypoxia in tissues. The cells cannot use the excessive amount of oxygen, which leads to histotoxic anoxia.
In other words: Cyanogenic glycosides form hydrogen cyanide, which causes problems with how organisms in the body break down food molecules to gain energy for the body. Without this energy, pyruvic acid forms, which turns into lactic acid. This causes too much acid to build up in the body fluids. This causes tissues in the body to have low levels of oxygen. Cells are unable to use the oxygen and cannot transport it to the brain, causing symptoms like confusion, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, etc.
Level of Toxin: 0.12 - 18.8 µg/g in berries.
0.12 - 2.38 µg/g in seeds.
27.68 - 209.61 µg/g in leaves.
Impacting Dosage: 0.5 - 3.5 mg/kg body weight
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Holocalin
Holocalin
Holocalin is a m-hydroxysubstituted glycoside that can result in the release of cyanide along with cyanogenic glycosides.
Level of Toxin: Unknown
Impacting Dosage: 0.5 - 3.5 mg/kg body weight
Lectin
Lectin
Lectins are responsible for the nausea and stomach problems when consuming the elderberry. Lectins are a type II ribosome-inactivating proteins and are resistant to breaking down.
Level of Toxin: Varies
Impacting Dosage: Unknown
Prunasin
Prunasin
Prunasin is a cyanogenic glycoside.When certain enzymes interact with cyanogenic glycosides, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is released, which is what causes the toxicity issue. Cyanide will cease the transportation of electrons and stop cellular respiration, which causes the development of pyruvic acid, which turns into lactic acid. The lactic acid builds up and causes metabolic acidosis. As a result, oxygen builds up in the tissues, producing hypoxia in tissues. The cells cannot use the excessive amount of oxygen, which leads to histotoxic anoxia.
Level of Toxin: 0.12 - 18.8 µg/g in berries.
0.12 - 2.38 µg/g in seeds.
27.68 - 209.61 µg/g in leaves.
Impacting Dosage: 0.5 - 3.5 mg/kg body weight
Zierin
Zierin
Zierin is a m-hydroxysubstituted glycoside that can result in the release of cyanide along with cyanogenic glycosides.
Level of Toxin: Unknown
Impacting Dosage: 0.5 - 3.5 mg/kg body weight
Prussic Acid
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Bark, berries, leaves, roots, seeds, stems.
Contact Hazard: May cause skin irritation.
Animals Affected: Cats, cattle, dogs, goats, horses, sheep.
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Bark, berries, flowers, leaves, root, stem
Properties: Analgesic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-influenza, anti-oxidant, antipyretic, antiseptic, antiviral, cathartic, detoxifier, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, purgative, stimulant, tonic.
Components: Amygdalin, anthocyanin
Antidote: Poison ivy rash; bruised or decocted flowers and leaves.
Preparation: Capsules, gummies, lozenges, salves, syrups, tea, tinctures, topical ointments.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Treatments
Treatments
Burns: Egyptians used to elderberry to heal burns.
Cold
Coughing Fits
Excessive Sweating
Fevers
Flu
Inflammation
Pain Relief
Red Eyes: Used in liquid drops.
Rheumatism
Swelling
Urine: Used to stimulate production of urine.
*Used for just about any ailment.
Location
Location
Egypt: Burns
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
Arthritis
Bladder: Bark used to cleanse the system.
Blood Pressure: Some studies show that extraction of polyphenols have reduction in blood pressure.
Blood Sugar Levels: Increase insulin secretion, improve blood sugar levels.
Bowels: Bark used to cleanse the system.
Bruises: Flowers and leaves made into an ointment.
Burns: Elderberry salves used to treat burns in folk medicine.
Cancer: Believed that elderberries can reduce the risk of cancer.
Colds: Flowers combined with honey and vinegar; made into hot elderberry wine; tea made with mint and yarrow. Commercial use: lozenge - twice daily (175 mg), syrup - 1 tbsp 4x daily (15 mL/tbsp).
Congestions
Cough: Flowers combined with honey and vinegar; tea made with mint and yarrow.
Cuts: Elderberry salves and tinctures used to treat cuts in folk medicine.
Decrease Cholesterol: Elderberry juice.
Decrease Level of Fat in Blood: Elderberry juice.
Diabetes
Diarrhea: Berries made into a tea.
Dry Skin
Eyes: Red eyes; used in liquid drops. Sore eyes, conjunctivitis.
Fever
Flu: May reduce symptoms within the first 48 hours.
Headaches: Root-bark tea.
Heart Disease: Anthocyanins found to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Hiccups: Tea made with mint and yarrow.
Inflammation: Infusion of leaves and flowers. Decoction of bark.
Internal Purification
Migrane: Fruit
Mucous Discharge
Nasal Congestion: Root-bark tea
Pain Relief: Fruit; tinctures and salves to treat dental pain
Rash
Sciatica: Fruit
Skin Problems: Infusion of leaves and flowers. Decoction of bark.
Sore Mouth
Sore Throat: Flowers combined with honey and vinegar; tea made with mint and yarrow.
Sprains: Flowers and leaves made into an ointment.
Strengthen Immune System
Toothaches: Tea made with mint and yarrow.
Uric Acid: May reduce uric acid levels.
Wounds: Flowers and leaves made into an ointment.
Location
Location
Europe: Folk medicine
Edibility
Edibility
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Berries, flowers
Nutrients:
Carbohydrates: Anthocyanins, Fiber
Minerals: Phosphorous, Potassium
Vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin C
Taste: Tart
WARNING: Berries must be cooked and/or ripe (!DO NOT CONSUME RAW!). Remove/dispose of the seeds.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Unknown
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Alcoholic Beverages: St. Germain
Cordials
Jams: Made from berries
Juices: Made from berries
Marshmallows: Made with flower nectar.
Pastries: Made from berries
Pie: Made from berries.
Pot-Herb
Sauce: Made from the blue elderberry.
Soup
Syrup: Flowers boiled with sugar.
Tea: Made from flowers.
Wine: Made from berries, flowers.
Yogurt: Made with flower nectar.
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Illustration of Elderberry by D.A. Wilkerson
Family: Adoxaceae/Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Genus: Sambucus
Other Names: American Elder, Black Elder, Boor Tree, Common Elder, Elder, Elderberry, Elder Bush, Ellhorn, European Elder, Holunder, Holunderbeeren, Pipe Tree, Sambuci, Sambucus, Sureau
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Bloom Colours: White, Cream
Bloom Time: May - July
Type: Perennial
Height: 9 - 30 feet
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Habitat: Ditches, fence rows, hedgerows, lakes, ponds, road sides streams, woodlands.
Origin: Central Asia, Europe
States: Most if not all states.
Provinces: AB, BC, MB, NS, ON, QC, SK
Related Species
Related Species
Sambucus australasica
(Yellow Elderberry)
Photo: Peter Woodard - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Sambucus australis
(Southern Elder)
Photo: Sebastian Wallroth - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Sambucus cerulea
(Blueberry Elder)
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Sambucus ebulus (Danewort/Dwarf Elderberry)
Photo: Аимаина хикари - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Sambucus melanocarpa (Blackberry Elder)
Photo: Daryl Nolan - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Sambucus microbotrys (Mountain Red Elder)
Photo: Patrick Alexander - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Sambucus nigra
(Black Elderberry)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Sambucus pubens
(American Red Elderberry)
Photo: Hardyplants - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Sambucus racemosa
(European Red Elderberry)
Photo: Peter Pearsall/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Sambucus sieboldiana (Japanese Red Elder)
Photo: Mason Brock - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Other Related Species
Other Related Species
Sambucus latipinna
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
Appenteng, M. K., Krueger, R., Johnson, M. C., Ingold, H., Bell, R., Thomas, A. L., & Greenlief, C. M. (2021). Cyanogenic Glycoside Analysis in American Elderberry. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(5), 1384. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051384
Colorado State University (n.d.). Guide to Poisonous Plants. From https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/32
Hessong, A. (n.d.). Are Elderberry Stems Poisonous?. SFGate. From https://homeguides.sfgate.com/how-deep-clean-house-13771617.html
Jason, D. (2017). Some Useful Wild Plants: A Foraging Guide to Food and Medicine from Nature. Harbour Publishing (pp. 43, 69)
Jiménez, P., Cabrero, P., Cordoba-Diaz, D., Cordoba-Diaz, M., Garrosa, M., & Girbés, T. (2017). Lectin Digestibility and Stability of Elderberry Antioxidants to Heat Treatment In Vitro. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 22(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22010095
Kunitz, S., Melton, R.J., Updyke, T., Breedlove, D., Werner, S.B. (1984). Poisoning from Elderberry Juice - California. CDC. From https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000311.htm
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.12-13)
Lauderdale, S. (2019). The Side Effects of Eating Elderberries Raw, A Personal Experience. Elderberry Edge Farm. From: https://www.elderberryedgefarm.com/pages/are-elderberries-toxic-a-personal-experience
Levine, B. (2013). Principles of Forensic Toxicology. AACCPress. (pp. 454-455)
Lugg, A. (2012). Elderberry. Herb Society of America: Pioneer Unit. From https://www.herbsocietypioneer.org/elderberry/
Mandl, Elise. (2021). Elderberry: Benefits and Dangers. Healthline. From https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elderberry
Młynarczyk, K., Walkowiak-Tomczak, D., & Łysiak, G. P. (2018). Bioactive properties of Sambucus nigra L. as a functional ingredient for food and pharmaceutical industry. Journal of functional foods, 40, 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.11.025
Muenscher, W. C. (1975). Poisonous Plants of the United States. Macmillian Publishing Co., Inc. (pp. 220-221)
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2023). PubChem Compound LCSS for CID 119033, Prunasin. From https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Prunasin#datasheet=LCSS.
Norm's Farms. (2015). Are Elderberry Bushes Poisonous?. From https://normsfarms.com/blogs/growing-and-harvesting-elderberry/are-elderberry-bushes-poisonous
Plant Addicts. (n.d.) Are Elderberry Poisonous?. From https://plantaddicts.com/are-elderberry-poisonous/
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 40)
Wong, C. (2022). The Health Benefits of Elderberry. Very Well Health. From https://www.verywellhealth.com/elderberry-for-colds-and-flu-can-it-help-89559
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
Appenteng, M. K., Krueger, R., Johnson, M. C., Ingold, H., Bell, R., Thomas, A. L., & Greenlief, C. M. (2021). Cyanogenic Glycoside Analysis in American Elderberry. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(5), 1384. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051384
Grant, A. (n.d.). Elderberry Harvest Season: Tips For Picking Elderberries. Gardening Know How. From https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/tips-for-picking-elderberries.htm
Jason, D. (2017). Some Useful Wild Plants: A Foraging Guide to Food and Medicine from Nature. Harbour Publishing (pp. 43, 69, 182-186)
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.12-13)
Lugg, A. (2012). Elderberry. Herb Society of America: Pioneer Unit. From https://www.herbsocietypioneer.org/elderberry/
Lust, J. (1974). The Herb Book. Benedict Lust Publications. (pp. 178)
Mandl, Elise. (2021). Elderberry: Benefits and Dangers. Healthline. From https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elderberry
Młynarczyk, K., Walkowiak-Tomczak, D., & Łysiak, G. P. (2018). Bioactive properties of Sambucus nigra L. as a functional ingredient for food and pharmaceutical industry. Journal of functional foods, 40, 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.11.025
Wong, C. (2022). The Health Benefits of Elderberry. Very Well Health. From https://www.verywellhealth.com/elderberry-for-colds-and-flu-can-it-help-89559
Edibility Section
Edibility Section
Appenteng, M. K., Krueger, R., Johnson, M. C., Ingold, H., Bell, R., Thomas, A. L., & Greenlief, C. M. (2021). Cyanogenic Glycoside Analysis in American Elderberry. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(5), 1384. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051384
Grant, A. (n.d.). Elderberry Harvest Season: Tips For Picking Elderberries. Gardening Know How. From https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/tips-for-picking-elderberries.htm
Hessong, A. (n.d.). Are Elderberry Stems Poisonous?. SFGate. From https://homeguides.sfgate.com/how-deep-clean-house-13771617.html
Jason, D. (2017). Some Useful Wild Plants: A Foraging Guide to Food and Medicine from Nature. Harbour Publishing (pp. 43, 69, 179-181)
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.12-13)
Lugg, A. (2012). Elderberry. Herb Society of America: Pioneer Unit. From https://www.herbsocietypioneer.org/elderberry/
Mandl, Elise. (2021). Elderberry: Benefits and Dangers. Healthline. From https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elderberry
Młynarczyk, K., Walkowiak-Tomczak, D., & Łysiak, G. P. (2018). Bioactive properties of Sambucus nigra L. as a functional ingredient for food and pharmaceutical industry. Journal of functional foods, 40, 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.11.025
Muenscher, W. C. (1975). Poisonous Plants of the United States. Macmillian Publishing Co., Inc. (pp. 220-221)
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 40)
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Appenteng, M. K., Krueger, R., Johnson, M. C., Ingold, H., Bell, R., Thomas, A. L., & Greenlief, C. M. (2021). Cyanogenic Glycoside Analysis in American Elderberry. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(5), 1384. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051384
Grant, A. (n.d.). Elderberry Harvest Season: Tips For Picking Elderberries. Gardening Know How. From https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/tips-for-picking-elderberries.htm
Hessong, A. (n.d.). Are Elderberry Stems Poisonous?. SFGate. From https://homeguides.sfgate.com/how-deep-clean-house-13771617.html
Jason, D. (2017). Some Useful Wild Plants: A Foraging Guide to Food and Medicine from Nature. Harbour Publishing (pp. 43)
Kunitz, S., Melton, R.J., Updyke, T., Breedlove, D., Werner, S.B. (1984). Poisoning from Elderberry Juice - California. CDC. From https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000311.htm
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.12-13)
Lugg, A. (2012). Elderberry. Herb Society of America: Pioneer Unit. From https://www.herbsocietypioneer.org/elderberry/
Norm's Farms. (2015). Are Elderberry Bushes Poisonous?. From https://normsfarms.com/blogs/growing-and-harvesting-elderberry/are-elderberry-bushes-poisonous
Virginia Working Landscapes. (n.d.). What's in Bloom | Common Elderberry. From https://www.vaworkinglandscapes.org/native-plant-watch/native-plant-highlights/whats-in-bloom-common-elderberry/
Date of page creation: July 29, 2022
Updated page: June 7, 2023
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