The flowering shrub known as Sambuca nigra, or elderberry, grows in the warmer parts of Europe and America. For centuries its flowers and berries have traditionally been used to make wine and soft drinks, and its berries consumed as food. In addition, all parts of the plant have been used as traditional herbal medicine.
Because of its high content of flavonoids such as anthocyaninns, as well as polysaccharides, researchers have reason to believe that elderberry might possess antiviral properties. And indeed, work done in both laboratory and clinical settings seem to indicate that elderberry can help to fight common infections such as colds and even herpes simplex.