Are Elderberries Good for Cough?

Partly: a standardized elderberry extract may ease cold symptoms that include cough, possibly through effects on inflammation, but a direct benefit for cough is unproven. Elderberries are one of the best foods for cough that people ask about, though the evidence for them is limited.

When might elderberries help a cough?

Elderberries may be worth considering as a supportive measure when a cough occurs with a common cold. A clinical trial found that people taking an elderberry extract who developed colds reported shorter illnesses and less severe overall symptoms than those taking a placebo.

That finding does not establish that elderberries relieve coughing itself. The trial tested a specific extract, not fresh berries, syrup or homemade elderberry water. Elderberries should not replace an assessment or treatment for a persistent, severe or unexplained cough.

How might elderberries work?

Elderberries contain plant compounds, including anthocyanins, that are studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. These properties are possible explanations for an effect on cold symptoms, but researchers have not established how elderberries might relieve a cough in people.

Coughing is a protective reflex that helps clear the airways. A cold can irritate the airways and trigger that reflex, but coughs have many other causes, including asthma, allergies and reflux. An effect on overall cold symptoms would not necessarily mean elderberries help a cough from another cause.

Staying hydrated can support comfort while you recover; see the best drinks for cough for options.

What does the evidence say about elderberries and cough?

In a 2016 randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 312 air travelers, participants took a standardized elderberry extract or a placebo around the time of international travel. They recorded cold episodes and symptoms in diaries.

Among the participants who developed colds, those in the elderberry group had shorter cold episodes and lower overall symptom scores. Fewer people in that group reported colds, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant, so the trial did not establish that elderberry prevented colds.

Only a small proportion of participants reported a cold, and the trial did not isolate an effect on cough. Its results cannot show whether a different elderberry product, or the amount used in a homemade preparation, would have the same effect. More research that measures cough specifically is needed.

How can you use elderberries safely for a cough?

Choose a commercially prepared elderberry product labeled for oral use, and follow its package directions. Extracts and syrups differ in their ingredients and concentration; there is no established elderberry dose proven to treat a cough. Do not exceed the label directions in the hope of getting faster relief.

Do not eat raw or unripe elderberries, or the leaves, stems or bark. These can contain substances that release cyanide and may cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Simply pouring hot water over berries is not a reliable way to make them safe.

Check the ingredient list if you need to limit sugar or avoid an ingredient, and follow any storage instructions on the package. If symptoms are uncomfortable or getting worse, ask a clinician or pharmacist about appropriate symptom relief rather than relying on elderberries alone.

Who should be careful, and when should you get help?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a clinician before using elderberry supplements because safety information is limited. Check with a child's clinician before giving them an elderberry supplement, and do not give a child an adult-formulated product.

People with autoimmune conditions or those taking medicines that suppress the immune system should also check with a clinician before use. If you take other medicines, a pharmacist or clinician can help assess the product; do not stop prescribed medication to try elderberries.

Seek emergency care for severe trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, chest pain or coughing up blood. Contact a clinician if a cough is worsening, comes with a persistent fever, or lasts more than 3 weeks. Seek advice sooner for a young child or someone with a weakened immune system.