Elderberry

    Written by:
    Daryl Nault
    Last Updated: November 15, 2023

    Elderberry (Sambucus spp., especially S. nigra) is a fairly ubiquitous fruit that is known on most continents. Elderberry is best known for its antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory uses, though it enjoys a broad variety of traditional and cultural applications.

    48 references on this page
    1,626 participants in 7 trials and 3 meta-analyses

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Most studies administer elderberry in lozenge, capsule, syrup, or juice forms, with doses ranging from 175 to 900 mg/day (15 to 177 mL in liquid forms) over periods of 48 hours to four weeks when used for treatment, and for up to 12 weeks when used as a preventative measure.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

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    Daryl Nault

    Examine Database References

    1. Carbohydrate Oxidation - Rust BM, Riordan JO, Carbonero FG, Solverson PMOne-Week Elderberry Juice Treatment Increases Carbohydrate Oxidation after a Meal Tolerance Test and Is Well Tolerated in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.Nutrients.(2023-Apr-25)
    2. Total cholesterol - Murkovic M, Abuja PM, Bergmann AR, Zirngast A, Adam U, Winklhofer-Roob BM, Toplak HEffects of elderberry juice on fasting and postprandial serum lipids and low-density lipoprotein oxidation in healthy volunteers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Eur J Clin Nutr.(2004-Feb)
    3. Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms - Macknin M, Wolski K, Negrey J, Mace SElderberry Extract Outpatient Influenza Treatment for Emergency Room Patients Ages 5 and Above: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.J Gen Intern Med.(2020-Nov)
    4. Dental Health Metrics - Kim YR, Nam SHA randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating of a mouthwash containing Sambucus williamsii var. coreana extract for prevention of gingivitits.Sci Rep.(2022-07-18)
    5. Eczema Symptoms - Farahani AM, Aryanian Z, Memariani Z, Mozaffarpur SA, Shirafkan HA Comparison of the Effect of Topical Preparation of L. and Hydrocortisone on Hand Eczema: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.J Altern Complement Med.(2021-Apr)
    6. Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease - Curtis PJ, Kroon PA, Hollands WJ, Walls R, Jenkins G, Kay CD, Cassidy ACardiovascular disease risk biomarkers and liver and kidney function are not altered in postmenopausal women after ingesting an elderberry extract rich in anthocyanins for 12 weeks.J Nutr.(2009-Dec)
    7. Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk - Crawford C, Brown LL, Costello RB, Deuster PASelect Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Preserving and Protecting the Immune System in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review.Nutrients.(2022 Nov 1)
    8. Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms - Wieland LS, Piechotta V, Feinberg T, Ludeman E, Hutton B, Kanji S, Seely D, Garritty CElderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review.BMC Complement Med Ther.(2021-Apr-07)
    9. Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms - Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne EBlack elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials.Complement Ther Med.(2019-Feb)