Q: Should I take these drops daily?

A: Elderberry is known to support the immune system, but it is also known for its antioxidant properties. You can take these drops to support immune function, but the health benefits of Elderberry support overall wellness, so you can also take them as part of your daily wellness routine. 

Q: Can I take these Elderberry Drops if I have an autoimmune disease?

A: Since we don’t know the finer details of your health, we can’t say if it is safe for you to take or not. As elderberries can support immune function, it may not be safe for individuals with autoimmune disorders, those taking medication to decrease immune activity, or those for whom immune activity may be of concern. We highly recommend you consult with your physician or healthcare professional about whether or not Elderberry is safe for you to take, and what the appropriate dosage may be.

Q: What is the Elderberry content in this Liquid Elderberry?

A: For this product, the serving size listed on the label is 30 drops of product, or if you prefer, filling the dropper pipette until it is approximately 2/3 full which contains 150 mg of Black Elderberry (Berry of Sambucus nigra L.). As there is not a recommended Daily Value for this product, you may choose to adjust the serving as needed. We recommend speaking with your doctor or healthcare professional to help you decide how much best fits your health needs.

Q: Can one overdose on Elderberry syrup?

A: For a variety of reasons, there are no established dosage recommendations, Recommended Daily Intake (RDI), established Daily Value (DV), or Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) for Elderberries. Dosage recommendations vary greatly from product to product, and preparation of the product can also vary from different manufacturers. And with herbal products, it can be hard to know what the optimal dose is in order to receive the benefits and how much is a safe amount! 

It is worth noting that, “The berries of Elder are rated by the American Herbal Products Association as Class 1, meaning ‘herbs which, when used appropriately, can be consumed safely without specific use restrictions.’” Both the flowers and berries are also classified as GRAS (generally recognized as safe). Many studies have reviewed Elderberry at different doses, ranging anywhere from 150 mg to 600 mg. 

While there are not any reports of someone necessarily “overdosing” on Elderberry, it is important to keep in mind the preparation of the Elderberries is important. Some adverse events including stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting have been reported, but it is important to note that some of these symptoms came after ingesting an elderberry juice made from raw elderberries, leaves, and branches. Since the uncooked parts of the plant contain toxic substances like cyanide and lectin, it is not recommended to ingest raw. Cooking the berries will remove the cyanide, so preparing the Elderberry correctly is necessary. 

Our Elderberry products’ recommended serving size was determined with general health and wellness in mind, as well as the ability to adjust the dose for your needs. That said, we always recommend speaking with your doctor or healthcare professional to help you decide the proper serving size that best fits your health needs.

Q: Is it safe to take elderberry syrup during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

A: Though Elderberry has not been found to have any lactation-related issues, it is probably best for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers to avoid the use of Elderberry without speaking to their physician first. This is the general recommendation for elderberry, and most herbal products, due to a lack of research regarding the safety of those botanicals for those pregnant and lactating.   

Ultimately, it is best to speak with your OB-GYN, physician, or healthcare professional for their guidance on consuming Elderberry. The same is true before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Your physician or healthcare professional can help ensure that the supplement is beneficial for both you and your pregnancy.