Studies show that elderberry extract or sambucol has antiviral properties that can boost your immunity to colds and flu. Elderberry can also lessen the severity and the duration of colds and the flu. The berries from the sambucus plant are one of the most powerful antioxidants we know of. If you want to keep the flu away, consider taking elderberry extract before the flu hits your home.
Sambucus is the name of the genus that the black elderberry bush belongs to and Sambucol is an extract made from the black elder bush. This natural remedy has been used to treat colds and flu, sinus problems and other viruses for many years.
Stopping the Flu Virus and Boosting The Immune System
When a virus like the flu first enters the body it begins to replicate, creating millions more flu cells. It is believed that one of the ways Sambucus works is that it inactivates the flu virus by coating the cells keeping the flu from replicating.
Studies have also shown that Sambucus works in fighting the flu and other viruses by strengthening the immune system because it contains high levels of antioxidants known as flavonoids. When your body sees a virus, your immune system kicks in and starts to replicate viral fighting agents of its own.
One of these agents is called cytokines, cytokines are compounds that are produced by the body’s immune system that attack and remove foreign bodies like a virus.
When you take Sambucus or elderberry extract it has a similar effect on your body’s immune system, it boosts the production of cytokines. When you are infected with a virus like the flu, your immune system has these cytokines ready.
It is recommended to drink the Sambucus or
Sambucol syrup before you get sick to keep your immune system healthy. Elderberry extracts like Sambucus and Sambucol work in similar ways as the prescription drug Tamiflu works when stopping the spread of the flu virus in your body.How does Sambucus Boost the Immune System and Stop the Flu
Sambucus or elderberry is a powerful antioxidant that contains more anthocyanins than any other plant. Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid which is a group of compounds with antioxidant effects.
Anthocyanins are what give certain foods certain colors like blue, red, black, and purple. Foods like blueberries, elderberries, raspberries, black beans, and forbidden rice (black rice).
Anthocyanin amount varies in certain foods, and elderberries have the highest amount. A few of the foods and their anthocyanin amount per 100 grams include:
- Elderberry: 1,375 mg
- Blueberries: 365 mg
- Red cabbage: 322 mg
- Forbidden rice or black rice: 295 mg
- Red radish: 100 mg
- Eggplant: 86 mg
In addition to boosting our immune system and keeping the flu away, anthocyanins have the following health benefits:
- Removes free radicals from our body
- Cardiovascular health
- Anti-cancer by suppressing cancer cell growth and inhibit tumor formation
- Improves visual health and acuity
- Anti-viral activity
- Anti-bacterial activity
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Lowers blood pressure
- Prevents type 2 diabetes
Sambucus Studies
A 1993 study in Israel during an influenza B outbreak compared two groups and their recovery time. One group used Sambucol and the other group took a placebo.
Almost 90% of the Sambucol group showed a complete cure within 2-3 days, while in the placebo group 91% showed improvement in six days. [1]
Another study in Israel with chimpanzees showed that the group taking the Sambucol exhibited flu symptoms three times less than the group taking the placebo and the duration of these symptoms were three times less in the group taking the Sambucol. [2]
And yet another study that involved 60 patients who had influenza A symptoms for less than 48 hours reported a complete cure within 2-3 days. The placebo group didn’t recover until at least day 6 and the placebo group also used more painkillers and nasal sprays. [3]
A 2011 study found that elderberry extract (Sambucus) does contain antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria of Streptococcus pyogenes and group C and G Streptococci. The elderberry extract also displays an inhibitory effect on the propagation of human pathogenic influenza viruses. [4]
Another study in Israel with chimpanzees showed that the group taking the Sambucol exhibited flu symptoms three times less than the group taking the placebo and the duration of these symptoms were three times less in the group taking the Sambucol. [2]
And yet another study that involved 60 patients who had influenza A symptoms for less than 48 hours reported a complete cure within 2-3 days. The placebo group didn’t recover until at least day 6 and the placebo group also used more painkillers and nasal sprays. [3]
A 2011 study found that elderberry extract (Sambucus) does contain antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria of Streptococcus pyogenes and group C and G Streptococci. The elderberry extract also displays an inhibitory effect on the propagation of human pathogenic influenza viruses. [4]
Elderberry Extracts and Possible Drug Interactions
Avoid any kind of elderberry preparation if you have a known allergy to plants in the honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae) family
Do not take elderberry if you are undergoing chemotherapy. Elderberry may increase the effects of some cancer chemotherapies, which may also increase adverse effects as well.
Patients using theophylline should consult with your doctor before using elderberry preparations. The quercetin in elderberries may inhibit xanthine oxidase, and may also affect theophylline levels. Elderberry may lower blood sugar levels.
If you are a diabetic, monitoring and medication adjustments by a qualified health professional may be in order.Check with your doctor if you have any concerns about any elderberry extracts and your current prescriptions or if you are pregnant or going to have surgery within the next two weeks of taking the extract.
Conclusion
Most studies have confirmed that taking Sambucus can boost your immune system which in turn should decrease your chances of getting the flu.
Another great flu remedy is Umcka,which should be taken at the first sign of flu symptoms.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © 2009-2019 Sam Montana
References:
[1] PubMed: Zakay-Rones Z, Varsano N, Zlotnik M, Manor O, Regev L, Schlesinger M, Mumcuoglu M. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. J Altern Complement Med. 1995 Winter;1(4):361-9. doi: 10.1089/acm.1995.1.361. PMID: 9395631.
[2,3] PubMed - Mahboubi M. Sambucus nigra (black elder) as alternative treatment for cold and flu. Advances in Traditional Medicine. 2021;21(3):405-414. doi:10.1007/s13596-020-00469-z
[4] PubMed - Krawitz C, Mraheil MA, Stein M, et al. Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;11:16. Published 2011 Feb 25. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-16
[4] PubMed - Krawitz C, Mraheil MA, Stein M, et al. Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;11:16. Published 2011 Feb 25. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-16
