Comparisons
Elderflower or Elderberry?
The flowers and berries of black elder (Sambucus nigra) are sold as separate products. The EMA assesses only the flower; data on the berry come from studies of specific extracts, and evidence for one part does not carry over to the other. The table is built from the sourced cards of both records.
| Aspect | ElderflowerSambucus nigra | Black Elderberry FruitSambucus nigra L. |
|---|---|---|
| Strongest evidence | T Traditional use | B Limited clinical evidence |
| Needs | Immunity | Respiratory, Throat & Mouth |
| Form | Dried Herb & Tea | Dried Herb & Tea |
| How to use | Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 2–5 g of dried elderflowers. | Eat correctly identified ripe berries only after adequate cooking and processing. Do not eat raw, unripe or simply dried berries as they are. The cited sources do not establish a single validated home cooking time. |
| Pregnancy | Avoid | Avoid |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid | Avoid |
| Recommended minimum age | From age 12 | Not stated |
| Drug interactions | No recorded interactions | Interactions reported |
| Duration limit | See a doctor if no better within 1 week | Not stated |
Which one, when?
Elderflower
Traditionally drunk as a tea for early symptoms of a cold; see a doctor if there is no improvement within a week. Not recommended under 12.
Full card →Black Elderberry Fruit
Specific standardised extracts have been studied for cold and flu symptoms; results are inconsistent and any effect is unconfirmed. Use only properly cooked berries or reliable products.
Full card →Good to know
- Raw or unripe berries, leaves, bark and roots can contain compounds that release cyanide.
- Neither is recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- See a doctor for shortness of breath, high fever or severe flu symptoms.
Sources
- European Union herbal monograph on Sambucus nigra L., flos – Revision 1EMA HMPC · 2018 · MonographSource accessed:
- Elderberry: Usefulness and SafetyNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · 2025 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
- Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases - Health Professional Fact SheetNIH Office of Dietary Supplements · 2025 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
- Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic reviewBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · 2021 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
- Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation for upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trialsComplementary Therapies in Medicine · 2019 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
- Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical TrialNutrients · 2016 · Randomized controlled trialSource accessed:
- Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infectionsJournal of International Medical Research · 2004 · Randomized controlled trialSource accessed:
- Elderberry Extract Outpatient Influenza Treatment for Emergency Room Patients Ages 5 and Above: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialJournal of General Internal Medicine · 2020 · Randomized controlled trialSource accessed:
- ElderberryNIH Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) · 2025 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
- ElderberryMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs · 2023 · Reference bookSource accessed: