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Elderberry syrup is one of the most popular herbal products sold for cold and flu season. This guide covers what NCCIH says about the evidence, the safety cautions, how to read an elderberry label, and how five organic elderberry syrups and extracts compare by form, size and certification.General information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take medicine or are buying for a child.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| # | Form | Size | Stated certifications | Gluten-free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syrup | 6.59 Fl Oz | USDA Organic, Non-GMO, NSF Certified Gluten-Free | Yes |
| 2 | Syrup | 4 Fl Oz | USDA Organic | Yes |
| 3 | Liquid extract (contains alcohol) | 4 Fl Oz | Certified organic, Non-GMO | Yes |
| 4 | Syrup | 5.4 Fl Oz | USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified | Yes |
| 5 | Syrup | 4 Fl Oz | Organic extract (certification not stated) | Not stated |
– = not stated by the maker · Specs and certifications as stated by the listing, not tested or verified by us; check the listing before you buy
Elderberry safety
- Raw or unripe elderberries, and the leaves and stems of the elder tree, contain poisonous substances that cause nausea, vomiting and severe diarrhea. Cooking removes the toxin, so use a commercially prepared product.[1]
- There is no good evidence that elderberry prevents or treats COVID-19, and it does not replace a vaccine.[1]
- Little is known about whether elderberry is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.[1]
- If you take any medicine, talk with your health care provider before using elderberry or another herbal product, since some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.[1]
What Is Elderberry?
- The Berry – Elderberry is the dark purple berry of the European or black elder tree, Sambucus nigra, which grows in Europe, North America, Western Asia and North Africa.[1]
- Folk Use – Elderberry has been used in folk medicine to treat colds and flu, and it is sold as a dietary supplement for colds, flu and other conditions.[1]
- Not Medicine – Dietary supplements are not approved by the FDA before they are sold. Makers are responsible for the safety and labeling of their own products.[1][2]
- Syrup or Extract – Most picks are syrups you take by the teaspoon. One pick is a liquid extract made with organic cane alcohol, which suits people who want drops and are fine with alcohol.
What to Check on an Elderberry Label
- Elderberry Amount – Syrups differ in how much elderberry they hold. The Nature’s Way Kids syrup states 3,200 mg of elderberries per 2-teaspoon serving, and the Nature’s Way Organic syrup states 50 mg of a concentrated extract per teaspoon.[2]
- Added Ingredients – Some products add echinacea, zinc and vitamin C, such as the Garden of Life syrup. Check them against your medicines and your daily intake.[2]
- Age on the Label – The Garden of Life syrup is for adults and children 12 and over, and the Nature’s Way Kids syrup gives a dose by age from 1 year up. Ask your pediatrician before you give a child any supplement.
- Organic Seal – Look for the USDA Organic seal if you want a certified organic product.[3]
- Size and Price – Divide the price by the number of servings in the bottle to compare syrups fairly.
Syrup Forms and Serving Sizes
- Sugar-Free Syrups – The Garden of Life syrup is sugar-free, and the serving is just 6.5 mL.
- Kids Syrup – The Nature’s Way Kids syrup is berry flavored, and its label gives 1 teaspoon a day for ages 1 to 6 and 2 teaspoons for ages 7 and up.
- Concentrated Syrup – The Nature’s Way Organic syrup uses a 64x concentrated extract, and the label gives 2 teaspoons a day for adults and 1 teaspoon for children aged 7 and up.
- Liquid Extract – The Herb Pharm extract comes in a dropper bottle and is made with organic cane alcohol.
What the Research Says
NCCIH says a small number of studies have looked at elderberry for colds, flu and other upper respiratory infections, and that some early research suggests it may ease symptoms.[1] It notes that there is not enough information to show elderberry helps with any other health purpose, and that the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission have acted against companies that sold elderberry products with unproven claims for COVID-19.[1]How We Chose These Products
We do not test products. We compare product details: form, amount per container, stated certifications, ingredients and availability.[2][3] Brands don’t pay to be included, though we may earn a commission from purchases.Our Organic Elderberry Picks
These five elderberry products are syrups and one liquid extract with an organic claim on the label. With every purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.1
Garden of Life® Elderberry Immune Syrup Sugar-free elderberry syrup with echinacea, zinc and vitamin C, ages 12+
Currently unavailable
- Garden of Life Organics Elderberry Immune Syrup is a 6.59 fl oz bottle for adults and children aged 12 and over, with a 6.5 mL serving.
- It combines organic elderberry with echinacea, zinc from organic guava and vitamin C from organic amla berry.
- It is USDA Organic, non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free and NSF Certified Gluten-Free.
2
Nature's Way® Sambucus Kids Syrup Berry-flavored organic elderberry syrup for kids, 4 fl oz
Currently unavailable
- Nature’s Way Sambucus Kids is a 4 fl oz bottle of berry-flavored organic elderberry syrup made for children.
- Each 2-teaspoon serving is made from 3,200 mg of elderberries, concentrated into an extract standardized to anthocyanins.
- The label gives 1 teaspoon a day for ages 1 to 6 and 2 teaspoons a day for ages 7 and up, so check with your pediatrician first.
3
Herb Pharm® Black Elderberry Extract Organic black elderberry liquid extract in organic cane alcohol, 4 fl oz
Currently unavailable
- Herb Pharm Black Elderberry Extract is a 4 fl oz dropper bottle of liquid extract made from ripe Sambucus nigra berries.
- The extract uses organic cane alcohol, so it is not alcohol-free, and Herb Pharm tests potency by thin-layer chromatography.
- It is gluten-free and non-GMO, and it is the only extract rather than syrup here.
4
Gaia Herbs® Black Elderberry Syrup Organic black elderberry syrup, 5.4 fl oz
Currently unavailable
- Gaia Herbs Black Elderberry Syrup is a 5.4 fl oz bottle of organic syrup that you take alone or mix into a drink.
- It is USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified, and it is vegan, dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free.
- It has no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors.
5
Nature's Way® Sambucus Organic Syrup Concentrated organic elderberry extract syrup, 4 fl oz
Currently unavailable
- Nature’s Way Sambucus Organic is a 4 fl oz bottle of berry-flavored syrup made with a 64x concentrated black elderberry extract.
- Each teaspoon holds 50 mg of the extract, and the label gives 2 teaspoons a day for adults and 1 teaspoon for children aged 7 and up.
- It is made with organic elderberry extract, but a USDA Organic seal is not confirmed, so check the bottle.
Index Table: Organic Elderberry Syrup
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garden of Life Elderberry Immune Syrup - Sugar-free elderberry syrup with echinacea, zinc and vitamin C, ages 12+ |  |
| Garden of Life |
| 2 | Nature's Way Sambucus Kids Syrup - Berry-flavored organic elderberry syrup for kids, 4 fl oz |  |
| Nature's Way |
| 3 | Herb Pharm Black Elderberry Extract - Organic black elderberry liquid extract in organic cane alcohol, 4 fl oz |  |
| Herb Pharm |
| 4 | Gaia Herbs Black Elderberry Syrup - Organic black elderberry syrup, 5.4 fl oz |  |
| Gaia Herbs |
| 5 | Nature's Way Sambucus Organic Syrup - Concentrated organic elderberry extract syrup, 4 fl oz |  |
| Nature's Way |
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Elderberry: Usefulness and Safety. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Organic Labeling Standards. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the guide text and product notes around the NCCIH elderberry page, added the safety cautions and label checks, removed unsupported claims and unrelated sources, and replaced the sources (NCCIH, NIH, USDA)
- Oct 2026: Removed NutraChamps Black Elderberry Syrup, which makes no organic claim; added an alcohol note for the Herb Pharm extract
- Jul 2020: Added Nature’s Way Sambucus Kids Syrup and Herb Pharm Black Elderberry Extract
- May 2020: First published
