"An ancient herbal remedy is getting fresh attention this cold and flu season https Some parents and even pediatricians believe elderberry extract or syrup can help kids stay healthy and lessen the symptoms when they do get sick. The Brennan family in Glen Rock New Jersey believes it works.. So we give the kids and we take it ourselves elderberry every morning right after breakfast Kevin Brennan told CBS News.  He whips up a homemade concoction using frozen elderberries blueberries and honey. Some medical research suggests elderberry may reduce swelling in the mucous membranes to help relieve congestion. The Brennans pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Rosen explains Elderberry contains chemicals which are flavonoids which are antiinflammatory agents. One small study found an elderberry extract called Sambucol could shorten the duration of flu symptoms https after a person gets sick by about  days. That would be similar to prescription antiviral medications https like Tamiflu or Relenza which have been proven effective in much larger studies and approved by the FDA to shorten the duration of the flu. There is not enough research about whether elderberry works in children and there is also isnt enough information about the proper dose in children Dr. Anna Minta of Johns Hopkins Childrens Center told CBS News. Before you start popping elderberries beware eating them raw can make you sick.  The University of Maryland Medical Center httpumm.eduhealthmedicalaltmedherbelderberry says European elder also called black elder is the variety most often used for medicinal purposes. Raw or unripe elderberries as well as other parts of the plant contain a toxic compound related to cyanide. If the berries are not cooked thoroughly they can be poisonous.  But Kevin Brennan says for his family the natural alternative seems to be working. The duration and the severity of how they get sick is much less and they get healthy quicker he said."