Is Elderberry Safe During Pregnancy?
Updated September 8, 2026
The Answer
Use caution with elderberry during pregnancy, especially supplements such as concentrated syrups or extracts. Pregnancy specific safety studies are lacking, and raw or unripe berries or products made with leaves, stems, bark, or roots can be toxic; properly cooked ripe berry foods are a different exposure.
The key distinction is properly cooked ripe berry versus raw or unripe berry and other elder plant parts, which may contain cyanide producing compounds.
A pregnancy focused review found no human or animal pregnancy safety studies for Sambucus nigra, and NCCIH says little is known about its safety for health purposes during pregnancy.
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What Is Elderberry?
You may also see it listed as: black elderberry, sambucus nigra berry
Elderberry is the dark berry of Sambucus nigra. It is used in foods and in products marketed for cold or flu symptoms, including syrups, gummies, teas, extracts, drink mixes, lozenges, and dietary supplements.
What Other Ingredients Should You Look Out for in Products With Elderberry?
A product's full ingredient list determines whether it's pregnancy-safe or not. These ingredients also appear in some of the elderberry products we analyzed and may deserve a closer look.
Alcohol
Caution / Avoid (depends on product type)Look for “alcohol” or “grain alcohol” in liquid or swallowed elderberry products; pregnancy guidance recommends avoiding oral supplements that retain ethanol. Check the finished product’s alcohol concentration and serving directions, since extraction solvent wording alone does not prove alcohol remains.
Flagged in 13 products (9.2%) in this analysis.
Cannabidiol
AvoidLook for “cannabidiol” or “pure CBD extract,” particularly in gummies. FDA and CDC advise avoiding CBD during pregnancy, and even products labeled THC free may contain THC or contaminants.
Flagged in 4 products (2.8%) in this analysis.
Licorice Root
AvoidLook for “licorice root” in elderberry teas and herbal blends. Medicinal or frequent real licorice use is discouraged during pregnancy, so distinguish it from incidental flavoring and check whether the product is a tea, extract, or supplement.
Flagged in 3 products (2.1%) in this analysis.
Elderflower
CautionLook for “elder flower extract” or “elderflower”; this is the flower, not the elderberry itself. Pregnancy safety has not been established for medicinal elderflower, so check whether it appears as a concentrated oral extract rather than a small pasteurized food flavoring.
Flagged in 5 products (3.5%) in this analysis.
Propolis
CautionLook for “propolis” or “propolis extract” in immune shots, gummies, syrups, lozenges, and throat products. Human pregnancy data are limited, composition varies, and people sensitive to bee products may develop allergic reactions; check the route and amount with your prenatal clinician.
Flagged in 3 products (2.1%) in this analysis.
Caffeine
CautionLook for “caffeine,” especially in elderberry energy drinks. Count it with coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, supplements, and medicines, and keep total pregnancy intake below 200 mg per day under ACOG guidance.
Flagged in 1 product (0.7%) in this analysis.
Does the Form or Amount of Elderberry Matter During Pregnancy?
Exposure varies substantially by preparation. Properly cooked ripe elderberries in food are different from concentrated syrups or extracts and from raw, unripe, or homemade products containing other plant parts. Supplement strength, dose, and quality also vary, while pregnancy specific safety evidence remains limited.
What Products Contain Elderberry?
Pregnancy Safe has looked at 584 products that have elderberry as an ingredient. The category and grade breakdowns below use 141 products whose names mention Elderberry or another name for it.
What Types of Products Contain Elderberry?
Products You May Have That Contain Elderberry
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | Elderberry Lemon Balm Immune Stress Tea | Yogi Tea | Tea |
| F | Green Tea With Elderberry | Bigelow | Tea |
| C | Elderberry Flavored Immunity Drink Mixes, Elderberry | Hydrant | Drink Mix |
| C | Sambucus Elderberry Immune Gummy | Nature'S Way | Dietary Supplement |
| C | Organic Elderberry Hibiscus Herbal Tea | Newman'S Own Organics | Herbal Tea |
| C | Elderberry Syrup | — | Syrup |
| D | Zinc Gummies With Elderberry | Absolute Immunity | Dietary Supplement |
| C+ | Zinc With Elderberry | Absolute Immunity | Dietary Supplement |
How Do Products Containing Elderberry Score?
It can be helpful to see how products containing elderberry generally score during pregnancy. This does not tell you whether your exact product is safe, but it gives you a general idea of what we found. In this breakdown of 141 products, 88% receive a C grade. A C grade means the complete formula has some pregnancy considerations, so use it sparingly and consider a higher scoring alternative when one is available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elderberry During Pregnancy
Is elderberry syrup different from eating cooked elderberries?
Yes. Properly cooked ripe berry food is a different exposure from concentrated syrup or extract. Supplement concentration, dose, and quality vary, and pregnancy specific safety data for medicinal use are limited.
Can I drink elderberry tea while pregnant?
Use caution. The answer depends on whether the tea contains ripe berry, elderflower, or other elder plant parts and whether it is being used medicinally. Avoid raw or unprocessed preparations containing leaves, stems, bark, roots, or unripe berries.
Does elderberry safety change by trimester?
The available evidence does not establish a safer trimester. A pregnancy focused review found no human or animal pregnancy safety studies for Sambucus nigra.
Why are raw elderberries and other elder plant parts concerning?
Raw or unripe berries and the leaves, stems, bark, or roots can contain cyanide producing compounds and have caused poisoning. Proper cooking of ripe berry products is therefore an important distinction.
Does elderberry help cold or flu symptoms during pregnancy?
Evidence for respiratory benefit is uncertain. That uncertain benefit does not resolve the lack of pregnancy specific safety data for elderberry supplements.
What side effects have been reported with elderberry use in pregnancy?
One small survey reported mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Surveys also show that some pregnant people use elderberry, but use reports do not establish pregnancy safety.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains an ingredient Pregnancy Safe recommends avoiding during pregnancy. This may reflect an established risk or a precaution based on limited evidence; check the ingredient guidance and exposure context.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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