Herb Highlights: Elderberry

Herb Highlights: Elderberry

Introduction

Elderberry species grow throughout the Northern hemisphere as well as in South America, Australia, New Zealand, and  many islands in the South Pacific.¹ The species common in dietary supplements is Sambucus nigra. It also goes by black elderberry or European elderberry.²

Uses and popularity

Both the berries and the flowers of the elderberry plant are in foods and drinks. The flower is used commonly in cordials, wine, and champagne³, whereas the berry is commonly found in jams, pie, and syrup.⁴ The berry is also commonly found in dietary supplements. In fact, the use of elderberry dietary supplements increased over 200% in mainstream markets in the first six months of 2020.⁵ Much of this increase had to do with people panic buying immune-related supplements, including elderberry, as the COVID-19 virus spread.⁶

Industry shortages

Big spikes in elderberry usage is not the only thing that can cause industry shortages. In fact, elderberry gets a variety of diseases including canker and tomato ringspot virus.⁷ These diseases can impact the health and productivity of the plant, therefore impacting the harvest.

Sources

1 – Sambucus – Wikipedia

2 – Sambucus nigra – Wikipedia

3 – Elderflowers – BBC Good Food

4 – Elderberry Herb: Learn About Elderberry Herb Plants | The Spruce

5 – ABC: Record-Breaking Herbal Sales 2020 | WholeFoods

6 – Diseases of Elderberry | Home Guides | SF Gate

7 – Goldenseal – Wikipedia