Elderberry leaves, stems, and unripe or uncooked fruit contain a toxin, sambunagrin, which causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially when taken in larger quantities.[1] Because elderberry may act on the immune system, people who are immunocompromised or who have autoimmune conditions should not consume elderberry medicinally without a physician’s supervision.[2] There have been case reports connecting consumption of elderberry extract with acute pancreatitis,[3] processing of elderberries with repeat-exposure-induced allergies,[4] and consumption of raw fruit, stems and leaves with symptoms consistent with poisoning (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness, and stomach cramps).[5]
What are elderberry’s main drawbacks?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Elderberry has several drawbacks, including the presence of the toxin sambunagrin in its leaves, stems, and unripe or uncooked fruit, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, people who are immunocompromised or have autoimmune conditions should avoid medicinal use of elderberry without medical supervision, and there are reports that associate elderberry consumption with acute pancreatitis and allergic reactions.