Red elderberry Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 3,808 found this helpful

All parts of red elderberry, including cooked seeds, are toxic due to cyanogenic glycosides, saponins and other harmful compounds

Small ingestions cause gastrointestinal distress, while large doses lead to neurological and cardiac symptoms including paralysis and seizures

Ruminant animals are significantly more sensitive to poisoning than monogastric species like humans, dogs and cats

FAQ

Is Red elderberry toxic to Humans?

Vomiting, diarrhea; large ingestions cause dyspnea, tachycardia, tremor, ataxia, hindlimb paralysis, seizures (Moderate)

Is Red elderberry toxic to Cats?

Expected symptoms align with general poisoning signs: vomiting, diarrhea, and potential neurological/cardiac effects with large ingestion (Moderate)

Is Red elderberry toxic to Dogs?

Expected symptoms align with general poisoning signs: vomiting, diarrhea, and potential neurological/cardiac effects with large ingestion (Moderate)

Is Red elderberry toxic to Horses?

Expected symptoms align with general poisoning signs: vomiting, diarrhea, and potential neurological/cardiac effects with large ingestion (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea; large ingestions cause dyspnea, tachycardia, tremor, ataxia, hindlimb paralysis, seizures

Cats

Moderate

Expected symptoms align with general poisoning signs: vomiting, diarrhea, and potential neurological/cardiac effects with large ingestion

Dogs

Moderate

Expected symptoms align with general poisoning signs: vomiting, diarrhea, and potential neurological/cardiac effects with large ingestion

Horses

Moderate

Expected symptoms align with general poisoning signs: vomiting, diarrhea, and potential neurological/cardiac effects with large ingestion

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant, including cooked seeds

Exposure RouteIngestion of any plant part, including consumption of fruit containing unremoved cooked seeds

Toxic CompoundsSambunigrin (cyanogenic glycoside, 0.1% in toxic plant parts); Chlorogenic acid (present in fruits); Saponins

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting if ingestion occurred within 2 hours and the affected individual is fully conscious
• Administer activated charcoal to absorb residual toxins if advised by a medical or veterinary professional
• Do not give oral fluids, food or emetics if the individual is disoriented, seizing or having difficulty breathing

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed ingestion of red elderberry plant parts, especially seeds
• Onset of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tremors or seizures
• Exposure in high-risk groups including ruminant livestock, young children or small pets

Prevention

• Do not consume any parts of red elderberry, particularly unprocessed fruit or seeds
• Keep the plant out of reach of pets and livestock, especially ruminants that have higher poisoning sensitivity
• Clearly distinguish red elderberry from similar edible berry species before foraging for wild berries

Treatment & Prognosis

• Implement decontamination and symptomatic therapy per standard emergency poisoning protocols
• If anoxia signs develop: administer 1% sodium nitrite solution at 20-25 mg/kg body weight IV, followed by 25% sodium thiosulfate solution at 0.5-1.25 g/kg body weight IV
• Repeat half the dose of the above medications if symptoms do not resolve, under strict clinical supervision

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSambucus racemosa L.

AliasesRed-berried elder、Mountain elder、Cluster elder、Stag elder

Toxicity Grade

HumansModerate

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractRespiratory systemCardiovascular systemCentral nervous systemMusculoskeletal system

Mechanism of Action

• Cyanogenic glycosides break down to release cyanide when ingested; hydrolyzing enzymes that activate the toxin are inhibited in acidic gut environments, making ruminants more sensitive than monogastric species

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats): Higher sensitivity to poisoning than monogastric animals, at greater risk of severe effects even with smaller ingestions

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other elderberry species Sambucus spp.

Visually similar to other elderberry varieties; some other Sambucus species have edible cooked flesh, while red elderberry is toxic even after cooking

Rowan / Mountain ash Sorbus aucuparia

Produces similar clusters of small red berries; rowan is only mildly toxic, while red elderberry is moderately toxic and poses higher severe effect risk

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Related Toxic Plants

Black elderberry

Sambucus nigra

Low to moderate toxicity (uncooked parts are toxic)

Dwarf elder

Sambucus ebulus

High toxicity (all plant parts are toxic)

Guelder rose

Viburnum opulus

Low toxicity (berries and bark are toxic if unprocessed)

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.