(Alternative Medicine Review, March 2005) (1.) Lust J. The Herb Book. Reading, PA: Cox and Wyman Ltd.; 1974:174. (2.) Duke JA. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1985:423. (3.) Wu X, Cao G, Prior RL. Absorption and metabolism of anthocyanins in elderly women after consumption of elderberry or blueberry. J Nutr 2002; […]

(Alternative Medicine Review, March 2005) Herpes simplex (Most references to herpes are based on the references here.  The results are promising but more clinical trials would be welcome.  The principle of prevention of virus reproduction prevention also applies – but remember that sambucol appears to only be effective on viruses outside the cells.  Virses resident […]

(Alternative Medicine Review, March 2005) Use and Potential Benefit The Commission E approved the internal use of elder flower for colds. The British Herbal Compendium lists its uses for common cold, feverish conditions, and as a diuretic (Bradley, 1992). The German Standard License for elder flower tea calls it a diaphoretic medicine for the treatment […]

Background Sambucus nigra or the black elderberry is a plant native to Europe, Northern Africa and parts of Asia. The flowers and berries have a long history of use in traditional European medicine as well as the berries being used to make wines and cordials. The black elderberry, due to the dark pigmentation of its […]

(From the Black Elderberry Information site.) Threats to the Immune System – Viruses The most common threat to your immune system is from viruses. A virus is a tiny disease-causing particle that likes to live in your body’s cells.  The virus that most of us know about is the common cold virus.  Although more than […]

(From the Black Elderberry Information site.) Elderberry History At sites in Switzerland and Italy, researchers have uncovered evidence that the black elderberry may have been cultivated by prehistoric man, and there are recipes for elderberry-based medications in the records dating as far back as Ancient Egypt. Historians, however, generally trace the tradition of the elderberry’s […]

An in vitro study has also shown Sambucol to be effective in increasing the production of four inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that the supplement may have an immuno-stimulatory effect and therefore be worth taking all year round to prevent flu and other disease. Why is this a concern for bird flu?    This is, actually, very […]

British researchers revealed last week that Sambucol, a standardized extract of black elderberry, has been found to fight the avian flu virus H5N1. A Special Extract A team at Retroscreen Virology, an institute associated with the University of London, said that the extract was at least 99 per cent effective against the H5N1 virus and […]

(Alternative Medicine Review, March 2005) Drug-Botanical Interactions There are no confirmed drug interactions with elderberry extract. However, due to the ability of Sambucus flower extracts to potentiate insulin release in vitro, (26) patients with diabetes should be advised to monitor blood sugar closely when using flower extracts. Side Effects and Toxicity Elderberry extracts are generally […]

Clinical Studies Two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies demonstrated the elderberry extract, Sambucol, effectively inhibited both influenza A and B strains when given orally to patients in the first 48 hours of influenza symptoms. The Earlier Study 27 individuals experiencing typical early flu symptoms were given Sambucol or placebo daily for three days–2 tablespoons (children) or […]

Sambucol, a standardized extract of black elderberry, has been found to fight the avian flu virus H5N1. At first glance, world-renowned Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu does not seem like the sort of person you expect to come up with what could turn out to be a cure for one of humanity’s biggest threats today […]

Effective in the Treatment of Flu Research data from studies around the world have proven black elderberry extract to be effective in shortening the duration of influenza A and B. Below are some research highlights: 1995 (Zakay-Rones)- A double blind placebo controlled study was conducted during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. 93.3% of the […]