If you’re a parent, you’ve surely heard about the various reported benefits of elderberry for kids, such as boosting the immune system and fighting off colds and the flu. But how much truth is there to these claims, really? In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about elderberry for kids. You’ll learn about its safety, benefits, the various ways of taking elderberry, and some important guidelines for choosing the supplements most suitable for your kids.
What is Black Elderberry?
There are many varieties of elderberry. The most popular one that is used in various recipes and supplements is the black elderberry, or Sambucus nigra, which is a plant native to Europe.
Sambucus nigra is known to have various healing effects. This is because of the high levels of vitamins and nutrients found in it. Some of the reported healing effects of elderberry include boosting the immune system, helping fight colds and the flu, and reducing inflammation.
Is Elderberry Safe For Kids?
When taken correctly, elderberry is safe for kids. However, you need to be very cautious because there have been many instances in the past of severe elderberry poisoning.
The thing is, the unripe and uncooked berries, leaves, and branches of black elderberry contain excessive amounts of two chemicals called cyanide and lectin, which are toxic to humans. According to a report by the European Medicines Agency, elderberry poisoning can result in severe diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
However, if the elderberry is processed and cooked correctly, these toxins are removed and the risk of poisoning your kids is eliminated. So you should always be very cautious when giving your kids elderberry. It’s always a good idea to consult with your child’s doctor before giving them any kind of new supplement.
Does Elderberry Have Benefits for Kids?
Elderberry is rich in two antioxidants called flavonols and anthocyanins, as well as vitamin C and dietary fiber, making them a great superfood to add to your kid’s diet. But exactly what kind of benefits will elderberry bring to your child’s health?
Well, it boosts the immune system and it can help ease the symptoms of colds and the flu. In a study by Evelin Toralongo, 312 air travelers who were suffering from colds were observed and given elderberry supplements. Results revealed that the travelers who took elderberry had much less severe symptoms than those who did not. So elderberry can definitely help your child fight off cold or flu symptoms. However, it may not be able to prevent them altogether.
Another study by Anna Olejnik et al. suggests that elderberry extract can stop the pathway of proinflammatory genes. This means that it does, in fact, help reduce inflammation. So elderberry is a very valuable addition to your child’s diet.
Ways Of Taking Elderberry
There are many different ways to add elderberry to your child’s diet. You can purchase various forms of elderberry supplements, such as syrups, lozenges, pills, and gummies. Or, you can simply add elderberries to salads, jams, pies, or make your own elderberry syrup.
However, please remember that improperly cooked and processed elderberries may be poisonous. And the last thing you want is for your kid to get sick from the very thing that was supposed to prevent sickness! For this reason, homemade elderberry products need to be made with extreme caution and you should cook them well before giving them to your child.
Are you still unsure of the best way to give elderberry to your kid? Are you afraid that you may not be able to prepare it safely? Then maybe a simple elderberry supplement would be best. Commercially prepared supplements are safer and more concentrated than homemade ones. They’re an easy way to give your child a sufficient and safe dose of elderberry every day.
What To Keep In Mind When Buying Elderberry Supplements?
Ok, so now that you’ve learned the elderberry benefits for kids, you probably don’t want your kid to miss out on them. But what should you pay attention to when buying supplements? Well, since supplements aren’t regulated like drugs, you should always choose a reliable and certified manufacturer. Because you want to make sure the product is 100% safe for your kids.
If you decide to go with elderberry gummies for kids, make sure that the product is not only certified by a reliable third party but also free of harmful chemicals. Yeah, it sounds like a lot of criteria to consider. But your kid deserves only the best.
To help you avoid the hassle of searching for the best elderberry supplement, we recommend these Certified Elderberry Gummies.
These gummies are great to take all-year-round and especially during cold and flu season for that extra-needed immune boost. It breaks our hearts as parents to see our kids sick… even if it’s just a minor cold. Studies suggest that the elderberry in these gummies will reduce the possibility of catching a cold and flu. And if your child still gets sick, they’ll help your child get better again as soon as possible.
Come on, is there really still much to think about? Imagine how excited your kid will be to know that these gummies are healthy! It’s like a dream come true… However, make sure to give your kid only the recommended daily amount (2 gummies) and keep them out of their reach so that they don’t help themselves to more. Because they’ll certainly try!
