Is Elderberry Safe While Pregnant & Breastfeeding?

*Disclaimer:  We are not medical professionals. We advise you to speak with your medical professional if you have further questions as each persons individual  needs can vary. 

Elderberry is a dark purple berry whose extract has been shown to regulate the immune system. It can be used as an all natural supplement to prevent or shorten sickness. It is widely known to be effective against the cold & flu virus. Elderberry is a proven anti-viral, immune booster and anti-inflammatory. 

We get this question a lot. Although I am not a doctor, from my research and conversations with doctors, I believe elderberry is safe to consume while pregnant. Like many all natural herb supplements, elderberry has not been extensively researched by scientist. Because of this, it is hard to find concrete studies leaning one way or another. However, there have been zero documented cases of adverse effects during pregnancy.  It was just recently that elderberry started to make a recognized presence in the medical community and an effective anti-viral.

We took the time to speak with several doctors and a few pharmacist about this topic. The overall consensus, take the elderberry. Taking elderberry syrup can help alleviate the need to take other over the counter medications. I personally would rather take elderberry while pregnant versus Tamiflu. After all, it is has been shown that Tamiflu passes through the placenta. In some studies, Tamiflu has been linked to skeletal defects in fetuses. This is just one of the many reasons moms are turning to natural remedies versus other medications while pregnant.

Below are two great resources to look at this topic more in-depth.

Clinical Guide to Elderberry American Botanical Council

Elderberry & Echinacea: Should they be used against upper respiratory infections during pregnancy? (National Library of Medicine)

Many breastfeeding women who are looking for an all natural remedy to keep their immune systems in check have turned to elderberry. According to the National Library of Medicine, Elderberry has not been shown to go into the breastmilk. There has been some interest in the idea that some of the benefits of elderberry on the mother in turn help the baby. Elderberry syrup has been classified as "generally safe" for lactating moms.

Some of the main benefits can be:

• Regulated Immune System
• Regulated Blood Pressure
• Anti-Oxidant 
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Natural Anti-Viral

I personally HAVE used elderberry during both pregnancy and while nursing. If fact, we have been using Elderbaby Boost for my baby with her pediatricians approval since 4 months old.