Elderberry For Kids: Is It Safe, Benefits, Side Effects And Precautions

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In the past few decades, the medicinal use of elderberry for kids has gained popularity. It is used to treat common ailments such as cold, indigestion, flu, etc. Elderberries are bluish-purple in color and are highly nutritious. They may be consumed in several forms, and the most common forms are jams, cordial, juice, and pie (1).

Elderberry is also used in several dietary supplements and medicinal products. However, it is vital to check the product’s safety for children before serving them to children.

Read about the benefits, potential risks, and precautions to follow while using elderberries for children.

Is Elderberry Safe For Children?

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Moderate consumption of cooked, fresh or dry ripe elderberries is safe for children. However, uncooked ripe elderberries and unripe elderberries could be harmful. Elderberries naturally contain lectinsⁱXProteins commonly found in plant-based foods that play a role in cell-signaling and immune processes , hydrocyanic acid, and sambucine that may lead to gastrointestinal disturbance and toxicity (2) (3). Cooking the berries renders these compounds inactive, making them safe for consumption.

Nevertheless, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician before trying elderberry for children. You must also consult a doctor before trying elderberry dietary supplements and medicinal products since they are not FDA-approved, meaning their safety for children is not fully known.

Quick fact

Seeds of raw or dried elderberries are toxic. Cooking destroys poisonous substances in elderberries, making them safe to eat (4).

When Can Children Consume Elderberry?

There is no recommended age for elderberry consumption among children. Most children begin consuming cooked elderberry products, such as jam, by the age of one year. However, it may not be the case with every child, hence consulting a pediatrician is advisable.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) advises against the use of elderberry dietary supplements or herbal products for children under 18 years of age (4). If you wish to use these products, consult your doctor or an alternative medicine expert.

Possible Benefits Of Elderberry

Elderberries are rich in several nutrients, such as dietary fiber, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants, such as flavonols, anthocyaninsⁱXPigments found in plant-based foods that possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties , and phenolic acids. Thus, the consumption of elderberries may offer the following health benefits (5) (6) (7).

1. Healthy bowel movement by enhancing gastric motility, which is necessary to keep constipation at bay. Research highlights elderberry’s laxative effects, which is why it is commonly used for constipation treatment in herbal and traditional medicine.
2. Robust immunity by offering antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. These properties are essential to fight ailments and maintain overall health. It is why elderberry herbal products, such as syrups and tincturesⁱXA medicinal solution prepared by dissolving a drug or extract in an alcohol , are prevalent in alternative medicine to treat conditions, such as the common cold and flu.

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Elderberries are also believed to maintain cardiovascular and ocular health over time, although more research is needed to prove these benefits for children (7).

What Are The Side Effects Of Elderberry?

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Elderberries may cause the following side effects in some children (8).

1. Allergy: Elderberry allergy is rare but possible. Its symptoms may emerge immediately after touching or ingesting elderberry or a dietary product containing elderberry. Some of the common symptoms of elderberry allergy are itching or swelling of the mouth, face, lip, tongue, and throat. Children allergic to plants of the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family may show cross-reactive allergy to elderberries.
2. Drug interaction: Elderberry fruit and products could cross-react with immunosuppressantsⁱX Drugs or agents that suppress the immune system function and help treat certain autoimmune conditions , blood pressure medicines, and antidiabetic drugsⁱXA class of medications that help control blood sugar levels (9). If your child is on any medications, consult a pediatrician before feeding elderberry or its products to your child.

Besides these effects, ingestion of raw (uncooked) ripe or unripe elderberries may lead to severe gastrointestinal discomfort, including symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Ingestion of too many uncooked elderberries may also lead to toxicity, affecting the nervous system adversely.  

Precautions To Take While Feeding Elderberry

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Here are some precautionary steps that can ensure the safe consumption of elderberries among children (8).

1. Purchase fresh or dried ripe elderberries from a reputable store. Fresh elderberries are highly perishable and need to be used immediately.
2. Always cook ripe elderberries before consumption. You may boil the berries for 20-30 minutes on low heat. You may also follow the instructions of cooking as per the recipe for a dish, such as jam or cake.
3. Do not serve too many cooked elderberries as excess consumption may lead to an upset stomach. This effect is due to the berries’ high fiber content.
4. Remove elderberry leaves and stalk properly before using them for culinary preparations. The stalk and leaves could contain harmful compounds, which may not neutralize even after cooking (9).
5. Do not use elderberry dietary supplements or medicinal preparations without consulting an expert. Their dosage and method of use may vary depending on the child’s age and intent of use.

Quick tip

Avoid using elderberry products that contain other herbs or vitamins, as they may cause side effects (4).

Elderberry is a nutritious fruit that must be consumed ripe and well-cooked. There are several elderberry products available in the market, such as elderberry jams and syrup. You can feed your children elderberries as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Although elderberry extracts are being used for the treatment of colds and flu, the research is still preliminary.

Infographic: Safety Tips On Feeding Elderberry To Children

With the rise in the use of herbal remedies, elderberry is becoming popular thanks to its immune-boosting and laxative properties. However, it also has a tendency to become potentially allergenic. So, check out the infographic below to learn about the safety measures to take while feeding elderberries to your children.

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Dr. Wayne HoughMBChB, MMed, FC Paeds

Dr. Wayne Hough is a pediatrician with around six years of experience in the field. He is currently based in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town in South Africa. Dr. Hough got his medical degree from the University of Stellenbosch. He then worked at the Tygerberg Children's Hospital before completing his pediatric training and qualification from the South African College...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more