Natural Medical SolutionsElderberry is the dark purple berry of the elder tree. People have used it for colds and flu for a very long time. It is sold as a syrup, a gummy, a lozenge and a capsule.
Are raw elderberries poisonous?
Yes. This is the most important thing on this page.
Raw or unripe elderberries contain substances that produce cyanide. So do the other parts of the elder tree, including the leaves and the stems.
Eating them can cause:
- Feeling sick and throwing up
- Severe diarrhea
A large amount of the toxin can make you seriously ill.
Cooking destroys the toxin. That is why syrups and other prepared products are the usual form. If you pick elderberries yourself, do not eat them raw, and do not use the leaves or stems.
What is elderberry?
Elderberry is the fruit of the European elder tree, also called black elder. The tree grows in Europe, North America, Western Asia and North Africa.
It has a long history in folk medicine for colds and flu. That is still what most people buy it for.
What are the benefits of elderberry?
A small number of studies have looked at elderberry for colds, flu and other upper airway infections.
Early research suggests it may ease symptoms of those illnesses. The word "may" is doing real work there. The number of studies is small.
Very little research has been done in people on any other use. There is not enough information to say whether elderberry helps with anything else.
Does elderberry help with COVID-19?
No good evidence supports that.
Elderberry was promoted for COVID-19, and both the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission took action against companies that marketed it that way. Those claims were not backed up.
If you see a product making that claim today, treat it as a reason to distrust the seller.
Who should not take elderberry?
Talk to your doctor first if any of these apply:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding. Little is known about whether elderberry is safe then.
- You take any prescription medicine. Some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.
And whatever your situation, do not eat the raw berries, leaves or stems.
Common questions about elderberry
Does elderberry actually work for colds and flu?
Can you eat raw elderberries?
Is elderberry safe for children?
Does elderberry prevent COVID-19?
Related on this site
Where this information comes from
Written from NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health), a public-domain resource from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Information retrieved 2026-08-21.
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