Elderberry: A Natural Way to Boost Immunity During Cold and Flu Season?

In some parts of the world, herbal remedies for common ailments that have been passed down through generations are an accepted part of life.

“If you have acid reflux, you drink chamomile tea. If you have abdominal bloating, you drink ginger or peppermint tea,”

With cold and flu season nearing, people who take this approach may be reaching for elderberry. Teas and syrups made from the elderberry plant have been commonly used to fight upper respiratory infections and boost immunity for hundreds of years.

There are many different kinds of elderberry plants, but the flowers and berries of Sambucus nigra, commonly known as European elder, are the most studied and used in herbal formulas

Elderberry-based supplements — syrups, gummies, lozenges, pills and teas — are believed to work by supplying the body with antioxidants and boosting its natural immune response. But are they actually effective in controlling flu symptoms?

What the research says about elderberry
One proprietary formulation of elderberry extract sold under the name Sambucol® has shown an ability to fight flu symptoms in a few small studies,

In one randomized study of 60 adults with flu-like symptoms, those who took 15 mL of the elderberry syrup four times a day saw symptoms clear up on average four days earlier than those who took a placebo syrup.

Another study tested its effectiveness in air travelers. Those who took the elderberry syrup had a shorter duration of cold symptoms that were less severe than the control group.

Although these studies are promising, don’t forgo your flu shot to take elderberry. These studies are small, and more research on a large scale is needed to support the recommendation of elderberry as a method of prevention or treatment for cold and flu,

But properly prepared berries and flowers from the European elder plant seem to carry a low risk of adverse effects, according to the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health. (Other parts of the plant, however, should not be eaten, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not recommended to take elderberry, the NCCIH says.)

So for most people, it likely wouldn’t hurt to include elderberry as part of a healthy diet as flu season approaches, along with foods high in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and vitamin E, to support the immune system. Of course, check with your doctor, and make sure you select a quality product.