Elderberry refers to the fruit of the elder tree, a small shrub-like
species in the honeysuckle family. Also known as European elder, black
elder and bour tree, elderberry is native to Europe, Asia and North
Africa.
For hundreds of years, elderberry has been an important botanical in
European cookery and folklore.
Elderberry flowers and fruit are used to produce
wines, cordials and syrups, as well as teas, tinctures and various
cosmetic formulations. The dried, powdered fruit may also be made into
lozenges or herbal pills, or encapsulated as a dietary supplement.
