Elderberry is the fruit of the elder tree, a flowering shrub in the honeysuckle family. Because the wood of the tree was once commonly used to make pipes, the plant is also known as pipe tree.

Although the tart berries improve in flavor with cooking, the leaves and stems are toxic. The highly fragrant flowers, however, are also used in cooking and to produce skin lotions and other cosmetics. Both infusions of the berry and flower are traditionally used to soothe minor skin irritations, while elderberry juice and syrup are typically taken at the first sign of a cold or the flu.