Sambucus

Wu, X. et al., Characterization of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in some cul-tivars of Ribes, Aronia, and Sambucus and their antioxidant capacity, J. Agric. Food Chem., 52, 7846, 2004. 

There are dozens of elder species, but in these pages we will focus on Sambucus nigra, the variety most often used in Europe, where it is a very popular herbal medicine, and Sambucus canadensis, the favored American species. The two species can be used interchangeably. 

Only the blue elderberries are edibleSambucus canadensis and S. carulea (found in North America) as well as the European variety S. nigra. The red elder Sambucus pubens has toxic red berries and flowers that are conical rather than flat-topped clusters. "Blue is true and red is dead," is a popular expression among herbal harvesters. 

Recently, elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is being used as a natural food coloring. It may be used in both food and beverages to give an appealing color without the side effects of chemical colorants. Its color is more stable under conditions of heat and light than the S. nigra variety. 

Dr. Mumcuoglu s studies were done with standardized active ingredients. The species of elder used was Sambucus nigra. Thus far, it has been tested against eight various strains of flu virus and found to be... 

Recently, a lectin made from purified elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been used in the fractionation of normal bone marrow cells. Fractionation minimizes the effects of radiation on normal tissue. This work has been carried out by Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, who patented the elderberry flu formulas, as well as doctors Daphna Manor and Shimon Slavin. There is hope that elderberry contains properties that may have potential in improving the success of bone marrow transplants. 

Several carbohydrate-binding proteins have been isolated from Sambucus nigra and two haemagglutinins have been isolated from its bark. Its seeds contain a lectin that is related to the immunological properties of the bark. One of its carbohydrate-binding proteins, called nigrin, is made of two subunits and is reported to cause red blood cells to clump. 5... 

There are two main types of elder that are used in Chinese medicine. Sambucus racemosa called Chieh-ku-tan, which means "bone knitting medicine," is neutral in temperature and bitter in flavor. It is used as a tea for pain and to relieve the body of excess moisture. 

Sambucus javanica, known as Ch ou ts ao, meaning "stinkweed," is warm and sweet. As a medicine it is employed to reduce swelling. Topically, both varieties are used for bone pain, swellings, muscular spasms and traumatic injuries. 

Elder is also used therapeutically as a homeopathic medicine. It was introduced by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1819. The Sambucus ebulus or S. nigra species is most often used. However, it is not one of the more widely used homeopathic medicines. As a homeopathic remedy, elder is known as sambucus. Some of the indications for sambucus include albuminuria (the presence of protein in the urine), angina pectoris, asthma, dizziness and headache upon arising, dry larynx and lumbago. 

Sambucus is frequently given in 6x doses. The best way to determine the correct remedy and dosage is to consult with a health practitioner well-versed in homeopathy. 

Sambucus canadensis is considered one of the most edible species of elder. In the early 1900s, European hospitals served elderberry jam due to its high content of vitamins and minerals, good taste and ability to stimulate the appetite, digestion, and regularity. Elderberry products are still widely available in Europe. 

Sambucus canadensis. "American elder, sweet elder," grows 8 feet, common in eastern America,... 

Sambucus cerulea (same as S. glauca). Can grow to 50 feet. Found in western North America. Flowers are yellow tinged, blue fruit. Edible... 

Sambucus ebulus. Grows to 4 feet in Eurasia and northern Africa also grows in eastern and central U.S. Also known as dwarf elder, Dane s elder. Its black berries are toxic. Good dye source. The root has a history of being used to treat snakebite. 

Sambucus Mexicana. Called Mexican Elder, a variety of S. cerulea found in Mexico, northern California. Bears flowers and fruit simultaneously. Black fruits. Edible. 

Sambucus nigra. Grows to 30 feet, also called "European elder," or "black elder." Berries used in wine making flowers and berries used medicinally. Edible. 

Sambucus racemosa. Wild in Europe, cultivated in England, also grows in Turkey, western Asia and Siberia. Grows to 12 feet. Red berries. Poisonous cultivars include Aurea with yellowish leaves, Plumosa with leaves toothed to the middle with long narrow teeth, purplish when unfolding. 

A Danish legend says that elder sprang from the blood of a slain countryman. Dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus) is said to grow near ancient battlefields where much blood has been shed. The species name ebulus means "to bubble up." The belief was that the blood of soldiers bubbled up from the earth. The plant does turn very red in the fall and, when it dies down, it leaves a red stain upon the ground and then disappears until the next spring. 

Nakatani, Nobuji, Kikuzaki, Hiroe, Hikida, Junko, Ohba, Mayumi, Inami, Osamu and Tamura, Itaru. "Acylated Anthocyanins from Fruits of Sambucus Ca31nadensis," Phytochemistry, Volume 38, Number 3, pages 755757, 1995. 

The family Caprifoliaceae comprises approx 400 species, of which Lonicera japonica Thunb., Lonicera affinis Hook and Arn, Lonicera confusa DC, Sambucus javanica Reinw. ex. Bl, Sambucus sieboldiana (Miq.) Graebn, and Weigela floribunda (Sieb. and Zucc.) K. Koch, are used to treat inflammatory conditions in Asia and the Pacific. There is an expanding body of evidence to suggest that biflavonoids from this family might hold some potential as phospholipase A2 inhibitors. One such compound is ochnaflavone from Lonicera japonica Thunb. 

Fig. 5. Sambucus javanica Reinw. ex Bl. From Plants of Indonesia. Bali Timur, karangasem. On skirt of Gunung Agung, 1-3 km of Besakih. altitude 1100 m, 8° 21 S -11 5° 26 E. in secondary forest. 

M.A. Hawryl, A. Hawryl and E. Sochewinski, Application of normal- and reversed-phase 2D TLC on a cyanopropyl-bonded polar stationary phase for separation of phenolic compounds from the flowers of Sambucus nigra L. J. Planar Chromatogr.-Mod. TLC 15 (2002) 4-10. 

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