Black Elderberry

Never serve or eat raw elderberries, including dried, uncooked berries. Raw elderberries, green unripe berries, and elderberry leaves, seeds, and stems contain cyanide-producing toxins that are not safe for ingestion.

Cooked elderberries may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Raw elderberries are not safe to eat because they contain a natural toxin that can cause serious health problems. Reserve elderberry syrups and extracts for older children. While elderberry syrups and extracts have been used to treat ailments like the common cold and influenza for centuries and some studies in older children and adults have shown black elderberries to have antiviral properties, there is insufficient research to substantiate the safety and efficacy of their use in children under the age of 5.

Elderberries grow worldwide, from the fields and forests of Europe and the Americas, to the sunny highlands of Asia, to the rainforests of Australia. For centuries, the elder tree and its berries have provided humans with many gifts. Fragrant flowers flavor liqueurs, jellies, and tea. Foliage works as medicine, poultices, and deterrent for flies. Hollowed branches serve as flutes, pipes, and spiles to tap syrup from maple trees. And, of course, the shiny berries can be cooked into sauces, sweets, tonics, and vinegars. There are different species—some edible, others not—but the berries of Sambucus nigra, also known as black elderberries, are the most widely consumed. These berries are distinctly glossy, inky black, and so juicy that they are used as dye for beverages, pastries, and other products.

Yes, but only when elderberries are cooked. Raw elderberries (including dried berries) contain cyanide-producing toxins that can cause serious health problems. Make sure all stems, leaves, and unripe berries are removed when cooking elderberries, as they also contain these toxins. To minimize the risk, bring fresh or dried elderberries to a boil in water and cook for at least 60 minutes to ensure that the berries are safe to eat. Cooking ripe elderberries for at least 60 minutes eliminates this natural toxin from the fruit and seeds, making the berries safe for consumption.

Nutritionally, cooked elderberries are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin B6, nutrients that support digestion and neurological development. Elderberries also contain iron, which is important for a child’s growth and healthy circulation, alpha linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties, as well as flavonoids and anthocyanins, plant compounds that promote immunity and heart health.

There is also some evidence to suggest that elderberry may reduce the length and severity of upper respiratory infections (the common cold) in adults, although more research is needed on whether elderberry may do the same for children under 5 years of age.

Generally, no. While elderberry syrups and extracts have been used to treat ailments like the common cold and flu for centuries, there is insufficient research to substantiate their safety in babies and children under 5 years of age. To complicate matters, elderberry syrups often contain honey, which is not safe for babies under 12 months of age. If you would like to offer elderberry syrup or extract to a baby or toddler, it is imperative that you first consult with your child’s primary healthcare provider.

According to the United States National Institutes of Health, there are no published research studies that have evaluated the use of elderberry in people who have contracted COVID-19. However, there is preliminary research that suggests that elderberry may improve symptoms of influenza and reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory infections (the common cold) in adults.

Elderberry tea may be offered after the first birthday, served lukewarm and with no or minimal added sweeteners. Purchasing pre-packaged elderberry tea rather than making your own at home will ensure that toddlers are not exposed to uncooked elderberries. Do not give tea or beverages other than breast/human milk or formula to babies under 12 months of age to ensure that the necessary nutrition from breast/human milk or formula isn’t displaced by other drinks.

Overall, elderberries are considered “likely safe” for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, when consumed in typical amounts. That said, no data currently exists on the safety and efficacy of elderberry in nursing parents or infants. So, unfortunately, no specific recommendations can be made at this time on the medicinal use of elderberry syrups and other products while breastfeeding.

It is also important to keep in mind that dietary supplements like elderberry syrup do not require approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This means that manufacturers in the U.S. do not have to prove the safety or effectiveness of their products.

Not when cooked. To avoid toxicity, elderberries must be cooked, which significantly reduces the risk of choking. That said, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

No. Allergies to elderberries are rare, but have been reported. As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Recommended Guide: Introducing Allergens

Elderberries can help promote digestive health, bowel regularity, and softer stools as they are rich in fiber, phenols, and anthocyanins. Note that pooping patterns can vary significantly from child to child. Be sure to talk to a pediatric healthcare provider if you have concerns about baby’s pooping and digestive function.

Fresh elderberries are not widely available from grocers, although they grow abundantly in the wild. If you are foraging for your own elderberries, do your research and consult with local experts to confirm that the variety that you are picking is edible—then be sure to remove the green unripe berries, leaves, and stems (which are toxic) before you start cooking. Alternatively, you can purchase dried elderberries. Elderberries can be cooked into a delicious savory sauce to balance the richness of meats like beef, bison, pork, or venison. Serve the sauce on the cooked meats or use as a marinade. Alternatively, make a simple elderberry sauce to drizzle on pancakes, stir into porridges, mix into smoothies, or serve alongside goat cheese and toasted bread. This simple sauce also works great drizzled on top of ice cream.