Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa

The Basics

What is Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa?

Used for cold symptoms, sinus pain, back and leg pain, nerve pain, and fatigue.

Brand names for Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa

Na

How Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa is classified

Complementary Therapies, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal

Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa During Pregnancy

Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa while pregnant

N/A

Taking Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa?

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) fruit contains flavonoids such as quercetin, and anthocyanidins. The bark, leaves and root contain sambunigrin, which is potentially toxic because it can release cyanide. Cooked berries do not carry this risk.[1] Elderberry is most often used for influenza and immune stimulation. It has no specific lactation-related uses. No data exist on the excretion of any components of elderberry into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of elderberry in nursing mothers or infants. Elderberry preparations have rarely caused allergic reactions. No recommendations can be made on the use of medicinal doses of elderberry products during breastfeeding. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) fruit contains flavonoids such as quercetin, and anthocyanidins. The bark, leaves and root contain sambunigrin, which is potentially toxic because it can release cyanide. Cooked berries do not carry this risk.[1] Elderberry is most often used for influenza and immune stimulation. It has no specific lactation-related uses. No data exist on the excretion of any components of elderberry into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of elderberry in nursing mothers or infants. Elderberry preparations have rarely caused allergic reactions. No recommendations can be made on the use of medicinal doses of elderberry products during breastfeeding. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Possible effects of Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Elderberry / Sambucus nigra Sambucus canadensis Sambucus racemosa

None listed