What to Know About Elderberry for Kids
Everybody knows that children are prone to catching every illness that’s going around. Sometimes it feels like they catch everything, TWICE. Thankfully, we've got some natural remedies to turn to for support!
Adding elderberry to your child's daily routine can help strengthen their immune system. Elderberries are chock full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that boost the immune system, fight off infections, and reduce the severity of symptoms when an illness does occur.
At Seattle Elderberry, we only use ORGANIC elderberries, simple recipes and our products are fully kid-approved! In this article, we will explore how elderberry benefits kids by boosting their immune system and by helping them recover faster when they get sick. Learn more about this incredible berry and how it can help keep your children healthy all year long!
5 Things to look for in an Elderberry Product for Kids:
- Only organic ingredients
- No refined sweeteners (avoid cane sugar, corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners)
- Look at potency (aim for more than 500mg in a 1 TBSP serving. Seattle Elderberry has 1500mg per 1 TBSP serving!)
- Avoid store-bought gummies. They are filled with sugar and very little elderberry content.
- Think about HOW your kid might take elderberry! Are they likely to drink it mixed with water or juice? Try Elderberry Syrup. Do you have a curious preschooler who is exploring new textures? Make Elderberry Gummies together!
What is an Elderberry?
Elderberries are tiny, dark colored berries that is chock full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. We source our organic, wild-grown elderberries directly from our farmer friends, in Poland! The berries have been used for centuries as a natural remedy for cold and flu symptoms. They may help to reduce the severity of symptoms when an illness does occur and they can help strengthen the immune system in children!
How Does Elderberry Help the Immune System?
Elderberries are anti-inflammatory, which means they help reduce the inflammation that can occur with an infection which may help to relieve symptoms. Elderberries also contain antiviral properties that help inhibit viruses from replicating and spreading in the body. The high levels of vitamin C found in elderberry can also assist your child's immune system by boosting their production of white blood cells and antibodies while reducing inflammation. Elderberry syrup can be used as a natural remedy AND as a preventative measure during cold and flu season!
You should always consult your pediatrician before giving any natural remedies to children, but elderberries have been shown to be safe for most kids who are 2 years old or older. We have several kid-friendly products made with organic ingredients and simply sweetened with honey or maple.*
(Do not give kids under 1 products containing honey, try our Elderberry Syrup with Maple instead!)
Why Is Elderberry Good for Kids?
Elderberries contain powerful antioxidants that can help to boost the immune system. Elderberries have been used for centuries to help fight off infections and reduce the severity of symptoms when someone gets sick. If a child has a cold, elderberries may help speed up recovery time. The elderberry plant is known as Sambucus nigra, or European black elderberry. The plant is native to Europe and Asia but is also grown in North America. We source our organic, wild-grown elderberries directly from our farmer friends in Poland!
Kid-Approved Favorites!
How to use Seattle Elderberry for kids
Elderberry products can be used both preventatively (to help protect from illness) and as a natural remedy if your child is feeling unwell. ALWAYS consult your health care provider before beginning a new supplement.
Elderberry for Kids under 1
Do not use under 6 months of age. NO HONEY under 1 year due to risk of botulism. (Try our Elderberry Syrup with Maple or Elderberry To-Go drops). Treat elderberry like a new food.
Dosing Suggestions for kids under 1
- Try 1/4 teaspoon of Elderberry Syrup with Maple to make sure baby tolerates well
- 1/2 teaspoon daily for prevention.
- If baby is unwell, give up to 1/2 teaspoon every 4-6 hours for up to 3 days.
Elderberry for Kids 1-5 years old
Adding elderberry to your daily routine or natural medicine cabinet is easy for young kids! Try making our Elderberry Gummy kits for a fun activity!
Dosing Suggestions for Kids 1-5
- For prevention: give 1/2 teaspoon of Elderberry Syrup with Maple or Elderberry Syrup with Honey
- Tip: mix into applesauce, oatmeal or yogurt!
- If your child is unwell: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Elderberry Syrup every 2-3 hours for up to 3 days.
- Daily: 1/2 teaspoon daily for prevention.
Elderberry for Kids 5-10 years old
We think that school-aged children benefit wildly from regluar elderberry use! Our founder typically gives her 3 kids a serving of elderberry syrup before school
- 1/2 teaspoon up to 1 tablespoon of Elderberry Syrup with Maple or Elderberry Syrup with Honey daily for prevention.
- If your child is unwell, give the same dose (1/2 teaspoon up to 1 Tablespoon) very 2-3 hours for up to 3 days.
Elderberry for Kids 10+ years
Kids 10 and over start taking "adult" sized doses of elderberry syrup! For a fancy beverage, try mixing elderberry syrup with some sparkling water for a fun treat! You can also task your 10+ year old kid with whipping up a delicious elderberry popsicle recipe!
- 1 tablespoon of Elderberry Syrup with Maple or Elderberry Syrup with Honey daily for prevention.
- If your child is unwell, give the same dose (1 Tablespoon) very 2-3 hours for up to 3 days.
How to Make an Elderberry Smoothie for Kids!
Check out our blog post with a DELICIOUS green-smoothie recipe with featuring our organic elderberry syrup!
We hope you learned something NEW about elderberries and how to use them with your children! If you EVER have any questions, feel free to e-mail our incredible team at hello@seattleelderberry.com
Take Care,
The Seattle Elderberry Team
Special Deal!
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