Both the flowers and the berries of the European elder, or elderberry, are used in complementary medicine. Elderberry is used either topically or internally, depending on the condition you are trying to treat. However, not all types of elderberries are safe to consume, and alternative treatments using elderberry are not safe for everyone, including pregnant women. Speak with your doctor before using elderberry to make sure it would be safe for you.
Possible Benefits
Elderberry might help with the treatment of sinusitis when used along with antibiotics, and might reduce the symptoms and duration of colds and flu, but evidence to support these uses is preliminary and contradictory, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The berries also can be used to make teas, preserves, pies and alcoholic beverages.
Use in Pregnancy
The safety of elderberry during pregnancy has not been established. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use elderberry, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Because the effectiveness of elderberry has not been conclusively established, it is better not to risk the potential side effects from consuming this supplement.
Side Effects
Although pregnant women might experience the same side effects from elderberry as the general population, they are more dangerous for pregnant women. Potential side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, stupor and numbness. Some people also have allergic reactions to elderberry. Side effects are more common when you take elderberry supplements for longer than five days at a time. Elder flowers can have diuretic effects, and elderberry bark can have a laxative effect. Pregnant women should not take substances that cause a laxative or diuretic effect since this can cause dehydration, which increases your risk for premature labor or miscarriage.
Safety
Although a pregnant woman taking elderberry experienced only mild gastrointestinal discomfort in a study published in August 2001 in the "American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology," elderberry use isn't recommended because there is a lack of data on its safety. Only the blue and black elderberries are edible, and these berries should not be consumed raw. Raw elderberries contain a cyanide-like chemical and can be poisonous. People with kidney or liver problems should not take elderberry supplements. These supplements also can interact with certain medications, including laxatives, chemotherapy medications, diabetes medications, diuretics, immunosuppressants and the asthma drug theophylline.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Elderberry; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; December 2009
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; European Elder (Elderberry); July 2010
- Drugs.com: Elderberry
- CVS Pharmacy; Elderberry; February 2011
- American Pregnancy Association; Keeping Hydrated During Pregnancy; Julie Matthews; February 2008
- "American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology"; A Survey of Dietary Supplement Use During Pregnancy at an Academic Medical Center; Beatrice Tsui, et al.; August 2001
