European elder is a plant native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Western- and Central Asia. Its flowers and berries have a long history of use in traditional European medicine. Elder berries have also been used for making preserves, wines, winter cordials, and for adding flavor and color to other wines. Dietary supplements containing extracts, juices or syrups of European elder berry have become popular in the U.S. as remedies for treating cold and flu symptoms, sold mainly in natural food stores alongside other popular cold and flu herbal remedies.
American Botanical Council. (n.d.). [Elderberry monograph PDF]. American Botanical Council. Available here.