What are the possible side effects or adverse reactions of black elderberry powder?

1. Allergic Reactions

   - Black elderberry powder may cause allergies. Because it contains a variety of components, for people with allergic constitutions, these components may be recognized as harmful foreign substances by the immune system. Allergic symptoms usually include skin reactions, such as rashes, itching, and erythema. These rashes may appear on various parts of the body, such as the face, arms, and trunk.

   - Respiratory allergic symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing may also occur. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may be triggered, which is a very dangerous situation that can lead to a sharp drop in blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, loss of consciousness, and other serious consequences.

2. Gastrointestinal Discomfort

   - Some people may experience gastrointestinal problems after consuming black elderberry powder. This may be because an individual's stomach and intestines are more sensitive to certain components in the black elderberry powder. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. For example, excessive consumption of black elderberry powder may stimulate the gastric and intestinal mucosa, leading to an accelerated peristalsis of the intestines and thus causing diarrhea.

3. Adverse Effects due to Drug Interactions

   - Black elderberry powder may interact with some medications. If a person is taking immunosuppressive drugs, black elderberry powder may interfere with the effect of the drugs because it itself has an immune - enhancing effect, which may reduce the efficacy of the immunosuppressive drugs.

   - For people taking anticoagulant drugs (such as warfarin), black elderberry powder may increase the risk of bleeding. This is because certain components in the black elderberry powder may enhance the effect of anticoagulant drugs, leading to a prolonged blood - clotting time. Slight collisions or injuries may cause bruising, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and other conditions, and may even increase the risk of internal bleeding.

4. Toxic Reactions (if used improperly)

   - The unripe fruits of black elderberry contain toxins. If unripe fruits are accidentally used in the process of making black elderberry powder, poisoning may occur after consumption. Symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and cramps. Therefore, when processing black elderberry powder, it is essential to ensure that ripe fruits are used to avoid such toxic reactions.