Shrubs in the Sambucus genus are found globally, and their traditional use has been documented in the Americas, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, including treatments for infections,[1][2] ophthalmological issues,[3] benign prostatic hyperplasia,[4] and a broad range of other conditions.[5]
Indigenous peoples of the Americas have also been known to use elderberry leaves for medicinal purposes.[6] More than 60 different Indigenous peoples of the Americas, notably the Iroquois, Cherokee, Paiute, Thompson/Ntlakyapamuk, and Kawaiisu tribes, have used elderberry as a traditional treatment for a total of nearly 50 recorded conditions and ailments. The most common uses for elderberry by First Nations include as an emetic, dermatological aid, gastrointestinal aid, fever reducer, laxative, pain reliever, gynecological aid, and cold remedy.[7]