skip navigation, jump to main contentDorothy Bradley Atkins Medicinal Plant Garden, College of Pharmacy, UIC

Elder, American (Sambucus canadensis L.)

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Medicinal uses: History of use against rheumatism and fever. In one clinical study, fruit extract taken orally for 3 days after the onset of influenza virus B infection promotes significantly better relief of symptoms and faster recovery in the treated than in the placeb

Part used medicinally: Fruit

Native origin: Eastern N. America

Sambucus canadensis L.

Photo: D. Doel Soejarto, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago