Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. In a Norwegian study, patients who received 15 ml of Elderberry were relieved of symptoms on average 4 days earlier and the use of rescue medication was significantly less compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza.
Intercontinental air travel can be stressful, especially for respiratory health. A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of 312 economy class passengers travelling from Australia to an overseas destination aimed to investigate if a Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) extract has beneficial effects on physical, especially respiratory, and mental health. Placebo group participants had a significantly longer duration of cold episode days and the average symptom score over these days was also significantly higher. These data suggest a Elderberry extract helped with a significant reduction of cold duration and severity in air travelers.
Elderberry can interfere with how viruses attach to your cells and infect them, as well as increasing your body’s production of cytokines, which is used by your immune cells to communicate and adapt to fight infection.
Nature’s Way’s Elderberry Extract is one of the most popular and highly recommended extracts with their gummies coming in at an average 4.8 Rating and their syrup coming in at 4.7 Amazon.
Dr. Joe Schwarcz, director of the McGill Office for Science and Society, on the potential of elderberry extracts treating the symptoms of the cold and flu.
Studies
Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15080016/
Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/
