Can elderflower cordial cause and allergic reaction?

Answer 1

Yes! Many years ago I had elderflower cordial with dinner at a friend's house. By the next morning my legs were itchy. During the day I started breaking out in hives all over my body and anti-histamines were little help. By the next day, still covered in hives, the doctor was called as I was feeling faint every time I tried to stand and had developed a severe wheeze and difficulty breathing. The doctor came out and prescribed Prednisolone - 5 day course - and a Salbutamol inhaler to help my breathing. He asked what I'd had and I told him what I'd eaten and drunk before having this reaction. There was nothing out of the ordinary in the food, but I knew for a fact it was only the second time I'd ever had elderflower. The doctor said that this is the time a food allergy will flare up as the first occasion is when the body becomes sensitive to an allergen.

That summer I developed hayfever for the first time (starting in May when the elderflower comes out!) and have had it ever since. I have also suffered from Asthma since that time. The hives - which were literally from the soles of my feet to my scalp in large, red, itchy patches, took a week to go. Needless to say, I have never been near elderflower since but, strangely, almost all my research has shown elderflower to be beneficial for Allergies. Curious! This is the first comment I've seen questioning whether it can actually cause an allergic reaction.

Answer 2

no it cannot