Does Elderberry Help With Allergies: What To Know In 2024

You’ve probably seen elderberry sold as a dietary supplement at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Most commonly, it’s used to alleviate cold and flu symptoms. Yet, surprisingly, most people don’t know that it might help with allergy symptoms, too.

So, let’s take a closer look. In this article, we’re going to discover the ins and outs of elderberry when it comes to allergies. Does elderberry help with allergies? What should you know?

Does Elderberry Help With Allergies?

Allergies^[1] occur when the immune system overreacts to an allergen, a substance causing an allergic reaction. To the average individual, these substances are harmless. Yet, when individuals with allergic reactions to such substances interact with them, they experience various symptoms.

For example, many people experience seasonal allergic rhinitis due to the pollen in the air at certain times of the year. And when allergy season hits, the symptoms that arise can be downright debilitating. Other common allergies include those to dust mites, peanuts, dog or cat fur, and insect bites or stings.

Common allergy symptoms frequently include watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin, and more. The best ways to manage allergies^[2] are avoidance of the allergen or treatment with agents that will lessen the allergen response, such as dietary supplements like elderberry.  

The most common type of elderberry is the Sambucus nigra, also known as the black elderberry. So, how does black elderberry help with allergies? Here are a few health benefits and reasons why it might.

Elderberry Is Very Nutritious

Elderberry^[3] contains many essential nutrients that can support the immune system and your overall health. One cup of fresh elderberry also contains only 106 calories. On top of this, elderberry is a source of:

• Vitamin C: This antioxidant has been shown to relieve respiratory issues,^[4] including allergies.
• Dietary Fiber: Some evidence shows that increased dietary fiber intake is associated with decreased allergic reactions,^[5] especially in males.
• Zinc:  Research suggests that this mineral, along with fatty acids and vitamin D, may support the immune system^[6] through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Iron: Similarly, iron^[7] is also thought to help prevent allergies by suppressing type II inflammation.
• Selenium: Like iron and zinc, it’s thought selenium^[7] may play a role in the prevention and treatment of allergies.

Elderberry provides these ingredients, which may help boost our immune system, thus preventing allergic-type symptoms. Additionally, elderberries contain anthocyanins,^[8] which help stop allergy symptoms like a runny nose. Yet, there’s more.

 If you’re watching your grams of sugar per day, this is probably one of the healthiest fruits you can have. With a low glycemic index,^[9] this berry won’t send you on a blood sugar rollercoaster ride. In fact, you might want to add it to your list of healthy late-night snacks.

Elderberry Is Packed With Antioxidants

The benefits of berries often lie in their antioxidant contents. And these raw berries are no exception. 

Antioxidants help prevent harm caused by free radicals in the body. In fact, research^[10] suggests that antioxidants in elderberries enhance immunity,^[11] potentially by removing excess burdens or stressors. 

In particular, anthocyanins, which give the elderberry its dark purple color, are thought to prevent various diseases.^[12] In turn, these antioxidant properties may contribute to a healthy immune system, which may reduce allergy incidences.

Elderberry Helps The Immune System Combat The Cold And Flu

Elderberry supplementation is frequently sought after to reduce cold and flu symptoms.^[13] However, as we are discovering, it may also help allergic rhinitis. 

In both situations, a runny or stuffy nose is a common complaint. Yet, elderberry supplements are well-known for their anti inflammatory properties.^[14] Thus, it may help both types of inflammatory cases in similar ways.

For instance, vitamin C, found in elderberry, effectively treats allergies^[15] and the cold and flu.^[16] Furthermore, eliminating the burden on the immune system may help prevent allergies or the cold and flu, and vice versa.  

How To Use Elderberries For Allergies?

So, how should you consume elderberries? Does elderberry syrup help with allergies? Do elderberry gummies help with allergies?

Well, likely, yes. If it contains elderberry, it may contribute to fewer allergy symptoms. However, here are a few other ways you can consume or use elderberries for allergies:

• Try elderberry tea with raw honey.
• Look for elderberry extract in your local pharmacy.
• Take elderberry supplementation.
• Try elderberry syrup or elderberry gummies.
• Enjoy elderberry fruit raw in a dessert or yogurt.
• Make elderberry juice.

Despite the benefits of elderberries, there are a few things to note before adding this fruit or plant to your regular diet.

Side Effects And Precautions

While elderberry may first appear as one of the best fruit and vegetable supplements, there are a few precautions to note.

Elderberry naturally contains cyanogenic glycosides,^[17] which can be toxic in some people. However, these levels are generally low, posing no health risks to consumers of either fresh or processed elderberry products.

However, consuming unprocessed bark, leaves, or roots^[18] from the elderberry plant may pose a greater risk than cooked elderberries.

Thus, it’s probably better to consume already processed versions of elderberry, such as elderberry syrup, supplementation, tea, or gummies.

Adverse symptoms that may arise from consuming elderberries may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Conclusion

If you’re hunting for natural remedies for your seasonal allergies, the medicinal properties of elderberry might help. The health benefits of elderberry aren’t just relevant for the cold and flu; they can also extend to reducing the immune system’s overreaction to allergens.

From seasonal allergies to common allergies, like dust mites or animals, allergy symptoms can throw a wrench in your day, week, or month. Yet, turning to an effective herbal allergy remedy, including elderberry, might just be what you need to return to feeling like yourself.