Elderberry vs Elderflower Teas: What the Label and Sources Say
Elderberry and elderflower are different parts of one plant with different labels and cautions. What NIH and the EU herbal committee say, including poisoning from raw parts and where to get help.
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Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Read this first: poisoning risk. NIH says raw or unripe elderberries and other parts of the elder tree, such as the leaves and stem, contain poisonous cyanide-producing substances that can cause nausea, vomiting and severe diarrhea, and that large quantities may cause serious illness. [1] This page gives no preparation instructions and no way to recognize the plant. If someone has eaten raw berries, leaves or stems and feels unwell, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US; other countries at poison help by country). Call 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing. See also poisoning: what to do first and plant and mushroom poisoning.
Two parts, two products
"Elder" tea can mean two different things.| Elderflower tea | Elderberry tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant part | Flowers of Sambucus nigra L. [2] | Dark purple berry of Sambucus nigra (black or European elder) [1] |
| Regulatory view | EU herbal committee (HMPC): traditional herbal medicine for relief of early symptoms of common cold, based only on long-standing use; clinical studies lacking. [3] | Not described as a tea monograph in the sources we read. |
| Traditional use | The sources we read do not name a specific people or region for elderflower tea. | NIH says elderberry has been used in folk medicine for colds and flu. [1] |
| Research | HMPC noted the lack of clinical studies with elder flower. [3] | NIH: some preliminary research suggests elderberry may relieve symptoms of flu, colds or other upper respiratory infections, but studies are few. [1] |
| Documented cautions | HMPC: no side effects had been reported at the time of its assessment; the monograph lists "none known". [3][2] | Raw or unripe berries and other parts (leaves, stem) contain poisonous cyanide-producing substances. [1] |
The accepted name is Sambucus nigra L., in the family Viburnaceae. [4] A different plant, Sambucus canadensis L., is also an accepted species in the same genus. [4] The research and monographs above are for S. nigra; the sources we read do not say whether they apply to other elder species. For plant identification or look-alike questions, ask a local poison center or an expert botanist or extension service, not a photo app.
What the label can tell you
- The plant part: flower versus berry. The part changes the evidence and the caution. [2][1]
- The scientific name, Sambucus nigra. [4]
- Whether it is a blend: the EU summary does not cover combinations of elder flower with other herbal substances. [3]
- Product type: tea, syrup, gummy and capsule are different products, and results for one do not transfer to another. For product quality, see quality testing and certifications.
What research shows
| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early cold symptoms, elderflower | HMPC accepted it on the basis of traditional use only and noted a lack of clinical studies. [3] | Traditional use only | Flower tea and liquid forms |
| Cold and flu symptoms, elderberry | NIH says a small number of studies have evaluated elderberry for colds, flu and other upper respiratory infections; preliminary research suggests it may relieve symptoms. [1] | Promising but limited | Elderberry products (not tea-specific in NIH's summary) |
| COVID-19 | NIH says there is no good evidence to support elderberry for COVID-19, and the FDA and Federal Trade Commission have acted against companies making unsubstantiated claims. [1] | No good evidence of benefit | Elderberry products |
| Elderberry tea or elderflower tea trials | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for "elderflower tea" and found 1 record, which from its title is not a tea trial. [5] | Insufficient evidence | Tea |
For the plant, see the elderberry herb guide, and for related questions see echinacea vs elderberry and herbal tea for sore throat, cough and colds. The existing tea page is elderflower tea.
Frequently asked questions
Is elderberry tea safe?
NIH says raw or unripe berries and other parts of the elder tree contain poisonous cyanide-producing substances; it says cooking eliminates this toxin. [1] We give no preparation instructions, so ask a pharmacist about a particular product and follow the manufacturer's label.
What is the difference between elderflower and elderberry tea?
They are different plant parts of Sambucus nigra, with different regulatory status and different documented cautions. [2][1]
Does elderflower tea help colds?
The EU committee accepted elder flower for early common cold symptoms based on traditional use only, and noted a lack of clinical studies. [3]
Can I give elderberry or elderflower tea to children?
The EU monograph does not recommend elder flower under 12 because data are lacking. [2] Ask a pediatrician or pharmacist first.
What should I do if someone ate raw elderberries or elder leaves?
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US), or 911 if the person has collapsed or has trouble breathing. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety by group
- Medicines. NIH says to talk with a health care provider before using elderberry if you take any medicine. [1] The EU elder flower monograph reports no interactions, meaning none reported. [2] See how interactions work.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. NIH says little is known about elderberry for health purposes during pregnancy or breastfeeding. [1] The EU monograph says safety of elder flower has not been established and use is not recommended. [2]
- Children. The EU monograph says use under 12 years is not recommended because data are lacking. [2] For children and poisoning, see children and teens.
- Allergy. Hypersensitivity is the contraindication in the EU monograph. [2]
- Alcohol-based forms. Tinctures and extracts containing ethanol must carry ethanol labeling in the EU. [2]
- Liver, kidney, surgery, bleeding: not described in the sources we read.
- Duration. The monograph says to consult a doctor if cold symptoms last more than 1 week. [2]
Amounts are not given here. The EU monograph describes tea amounts for licensed products, but a clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Elderberry: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). EU herbal monograph on Sambucus nigra L., flos, EMA/HMPC/611512/2016, adopted 27 March 2018. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency. Sambuci flos (elder flower): herbal medicinal product, summary for the public. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match. Names and families checked 2026-10-23 through the GBIF species API.
- National Library of Medicine. PubMed. Search record counts and titles retrieved 2026-10-23 through NCBI E-utilities.