Can elderberry cause cytokine storm?

Elderberry is generally considered to be safe and, contrary to some concerns, it likely does not cause cytokine storms. According to Chris Masterjohn, while elderberry has been shown to increase cytokine levels in monocytes in vitro, these cells are not directly implicated in the cytokine storms associated with severe cases of COVID-19. Furthermore, it appears to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages, which are more relevant to COVID-19 inflammation. Clinical evidence suggests that elderberry may actually have an antiviral effect, and the major risks for cytokine storms are typically driven by viral infections. In summary, the evidence leans towards elderberry having a protective, anti-inflammatory role rather than causing harmful cytokine storms 1.