Botanical Ingredient
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in European folk medicine, documented in herbal texts from Hippocrates through the medieval period and still among the most researched botanical medicines today. The berries are rich in anthocyanins — particularly cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside — potent antioxidants with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activity. The flowers are equally valuable, containing flavonoids and triterpenes that support skin health and have been used in topical preparations for centuries.
Traditional Uses
- Immune support and antiviral defense in European folk medicine
- Elder flower skin rinse for complexion and inflammation
- Traditional fever remedy across European and Native American traditions
- Topical anti-inflammatory for skin conditions
- Antioxidant support for cellular health
Key Properties
Did You Know
Every part of the elder has a traditional use: flowers for skin and fever, berries for immunity, bark as a purgative, and leaves as a topical anti-inflammatory — making it one of the most complete medicinal plants in the European tradition.
Our Sourcing
Elderberry is grown in InVine's Florida garden where the shrub establishes readily in the warm, humid climate. We harvest the flowers in spring and the ripe berries in late summer, drying each at optimal timing to preserve their active constituents.
Why We Use It
The elder is the most complete medicinal plant I grow. Flowers in spring, berries in late summer — two distinct harvests from one shrub, each with its own profile and use. I was drawn to elderberry for its skin applications as much as its immune reputation. The anthocyanins in the berries transfer beautifully into oil infusions, and the flavonoids in the flowers have a long tradition in European skincare — elder flower washes for complexion were recorded as far back as the 16th century. Growing an elder feels like tending something with genuine historical weight, and I find that meaningful.