Elderflower Powder 300µm Heat Treated

Sambucus Nigra L.

1. #Properties#
   

   Properties of black elderberry

   
   
   Originally from Albania, the black elderberry Sambucus Nigra L. is a shrub that grows wild in the French countryside and in Europe, especially in most Eastern countries as well as in North America and Asia. This plant belonged to the Caprifoliaceae family until 2015, when the phylogenetic classification assigned it to the Adoxaceae family. Black elderberry  thrives in nitrogen-rich soils, and is said to be nitrophilous and its black berries, known since Antiquity, are still used for their medicinal properties.
   
   The fruits of the black elderberry were indeed indicated for their diuretic virtues as well as to thin the bronchial secretions. The Latin name Sambucus evokes wind instruments made from the branches of elderberry wood that the Greeks hollowed out. In the 5th century, Native Americans also attributed elderberry to be beneficial  against excess mucus and runny nose. In Europe, the fruits and flowers of the black elderberry were used to make drinks intended to purify the body of toxins and for their anti-inflammatory properties.
   
   
   Fully usable in herbal medicine, black elderberry has different therapeutic properties depending on whether its flowers, berries, leaves or bark are used. White and fragrant, its flowers are mainly recognised for their richness in minerals and active principles such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and essential oil. The deciduous leaves of the black elderberry contain valerianic acid, potassium nitrate and tannins. Its fruits, black and shiny berries, represent a source of iron, carotenoids, amino acids, tannins and vitamins A, B6 and C. The bark of the black elderberry is a laxative, sedative and analgesic, and contains the conicine and sambucine alkaloids.
   
   

   In addition to antioxidant flavonoids[1], the bioactive principles of Sambucus nigra L. also include lectins[2] which play an important role in promoting immunity[3] and fighting flu-like illnesses[4] and herpes virus. Black elderberry is therefore an excellent natural ingredient for the dietary supplement market, both for its immune system stimulating functions and for its antiviral[5], anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.
   
   

   In many Eastern and Northern countries, the tradition is to use the berries of the black elderberry to make jams, juices or jellies and its flowers for the consumption of lemonade, syrups or wine.

   
   

   [1] MURUGESAN, Ramesh. Enhancement of antioxidant content of Elderberry («sambucus nigra») fruit by pulsed ultraviolet light followed by spray drying of Elderberry juice. 2010.

   [2] MUMCUOGLU, Madeleine. Recherches sur l'extrait des baies du sureau noir Sambucus nigra L. et de ses lectines: propriétés biologiques de la lectine à activité antivirale. 1983. Thèse de doctorat. ETH Zurich.

   [3] VU-HONG, Mai Quyen. Le Sureau et l'immunité. 2012. Thèse de doctorat.

   [4] ROSCHEK Jr. B et al. Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro. Phytochemistry. 2009 ; 70 (10) : 1255-1261.

   [5] ZAKAY-RONES Z et al. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 2004 ; 32 (2) : 141-148.
   
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2. #Species and parts used#
   

   Species and parts of black elderberry used

   
   
   Natural Origins has selected the flowers and berries of Sambucus Nigra L., a 2- to 5-meter-high shrub, in order to provide you with all the virtues of this natural ingredient. The white flowers of the elderberry are grouped and suspended in corymbs. Its black and shiny fruits are edible and have a taste reminiscent of grapes or blackberries, and are used in the composition of grenadine syrup.
   
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3. #Origin & quality#
   

   Origin and quality of black elderberry

   
   
   
   At Natural Origins, the black elderberry comes from different Eastern countries: Poland, Bulgaria and Ukraine. The wild variety of black elderberry is harvested manually.
   
   

   We offer several elderberry references in our catalogue: whole berries, powder, whole flowers (without clusters/with clusters) or cut. Our ingredient is also available in dispersible form in Optifine® powder suitable for drinks and in tea bag cut format for making teas and infusions.

   
   Our raw material comes in two versions, organic and conventional.
   
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4. #Country of origin#
   

   Country of origin of the black elderberry

   
   
   Elderberries: Bulgaria / Poland
   Elderflower clusters: Ukraine / Poland
   
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5. #Harvest period#
   

   Black elderberry harvest time

   
   
   Elderberries Bulgaria / Poland: July - August
   Elderflower clusters Ukraine / Poland: May
   
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6. #Best availability period at Natural Origins#
   

   Optimal availability period of black elderberry at Natural Origins

   
   
   Elderberries Bulgaria / Poland: October - November
   Elderflower clusters Ukraine / Poland: July - August
   
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