Evidence supporting the use of: Sambucus nigra
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Sambucus nigra (elderberry) has a long history of traditional use in Europe for treating respiratory ailments, including colds and flu. In recent years, its use for cold prevention and treatment has been investigated in several scientific studies. Elderberry extracts are rich in flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins, which have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Several in vitro studies have shown that elderberry extracts can inhibit the replication of common cold and influenza viruses and may enhance immune response.

Clinical evidence is moderate but promising. A few randomized, placebo-controlled trials have found that elderberry extract may reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms when taken at the onset of illness. For example, a 2016 meta-analysis published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine concluded that elderberry supplementation could significantly reduce upper respiratory symptoms. However, most studies are small, and methodologies vary, limiting the strength of the evidence. There is less evidence supporting elderberry for the prevention (as opposed to treatment) of colds, with most research focusing on symptom management rather than outright prevention.

Overall, while Sambucus nigra’s traditional use for colds is well documented and there is some scientific support, particularly for symptom reduction rather than prevention, larger and more rigorous trials are needed to firmly establish its efficacy for cold prevention.

More about Sambucus nigra
More about Colds (prevention)

Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

Allspice
Aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
astragalus
Waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
beta-glucan
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black tea
blackberry
bасора
camu camu
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
Greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus brevis
lemon
licorice root
lovage
Marshmallow
Moringa
mustard seed
Nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
phenolic compounds
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
Yeast
Zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
Mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
peony
buckthorn
lemongrass
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
aster root
goji berry
paw paw
Algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
Aralia
avens
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Allicin
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Ajuga
andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
black seed
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
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Blepharis
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bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
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black salt
bee products
black nightshade
Bassia scoparia
borneol
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coconut
Chinese silkvine
curry leaf
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coriander
capillary artemisia
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capsaicin
Chinese raisintree
Chlorophytum
cowherb
Cistus
cinnamaldehyde
costus
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Dianthus
dragonhead
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
European five-finger grass
fruit
flavonoids
fungus
flavoglycosides
goldthread
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
garlic
Gallesia
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galactooligosaccharides
honey
heal-all
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Herb Robert
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iridoids
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mandarin
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mace
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marigold
Mushroom
Nardostachys
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Oroxylum indicum
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Phenylpropanoids
Prunus
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
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Piper nigrum
Physalis angulata
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Rooibos
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
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Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sambucus nigra
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Scabrous Gentian
saponins
Sumac
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Thaumatococcus daniellii
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Tremella
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
White Tea
Water Pepper
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zingerone

Products containing Sambucus nigra

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.