Is elderberry poisonous?
An elder bush in late summer invites you to pick it. But be careful, there is a lot of poison hidden in it. We tell you what is poisonous about the elderberry.
Elderberry - the different parts and varieties
The elderberry plant belongs to the musk herb family. There are around 40 different species of elderberry worldwide. The three most important species in Germany are:
- Black elder (Sambucus nigra)
- Red elder (Sambucus racemosa)
- Dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus)
All species are shrubs or small trees, of which the flowers and berries are primarily responsible for Groceries and cosmetic purposes. From a botanical point of view, however, the berries are classified as stone fruit.
Sparkling wine, juice or syrup - the elderflower is a delicious and sweet treat in the summertime...
Elderberry - pleasure or danger?
All types of elder contain cyanogenic glycosides. These toxins are also known as hydrocyanic acid glycosides. A common representative is Sambunigrin. After consumption, the substance causes nausea and gastrointestinal complaints, which are manifested by vomiting and diarrhea.
The most poisonous type of elder in Germany is dwarf elder. The flowers, leaves and berries are poisonous. Caffeic acid, hydrocyanic acid glycosides and coumaric acid are found in particular in the seeds of the fruit. However, the berries of the dwarf elder can be enjoyed when cooked.
The elder flowers of the black and red elder are edible raw. Without green shoots, they can be used to garnish a salad. However, the processing is customary syrup, lemonades or jellies.
The red and black elderberries are not quite as toxic as the twig elder. Nevertheless, these berries also contain the glycoside sambunigrin in low concentrations. A healthy adult can easily eat a few grams of elderberries. However, this is not recommended and one should not overdo it.
How do you detoxify elderberries?
The hydrocyanic acid producers in elderberry can be eliminated by heating. The glycosides decompose at a temperature of 80 °C. The heating process (usually boiling) should last at least 20 minutes. Both the berries and the flowers can then be used for food and cosmetics.
The next time you pick some elderberries in the woods, you know that you should be patient before eating them. We wish you a good appetite anyway!
