Elderflowers

Black elderberry is a tree or bush, bearing tiny white flowers with a very pleasant scent in early summer, and round berries, which are usually dark blue or purplish black, later in the year. It is a medicinal plant that has been used since ancient times and was already considered to be a healing plant in ancient Greek and Roman culture. It has been historically used for treating colds, arthritis or even fever since then.

Elderberry is a native plant in the Carpathian basin and therefore also in Hungary. It can be found all over the country with variable density in populations. Currently there are about 3000 hectares on different plantations in Hungary, and this number is higher than in any of the other European countries (2010).

There is a variety called ”Haschberg” in the Carpathian basin which is very popular as it produces abundant and large clusters of dark purple berries.

Elderflowers have been used for the treatment of skin burns and blisters in traditional medicine throughout Europe (in European ethnopharmacology) and nowadays, the flower and berry extracts of Sambucus Nigra show promising effects in cosmetic products.

Flowers are harvested during a very short period (2 to 4 weeks) in summer, which results in flowers full of antioxidants and bioflavonoids. The collection of flowers requires great care, competence, and skill because the flowers are very sensitive to humidity. Harvesting is most ideal in dry weather, after the morning dew has cleared.

The extract of Sambucus Nigra flowers has great potential for skin care products as it is rich in active biomolecules which have antimicrobial, antioxidant, brightening, and many other positive effects.