Is Elderberry safe?

Introduction

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, particularly in treating respiratory illnesses such as colds and influenza. Recently, there has been growing interest in its safety and efficacy, especially in the context of viral infections and its potential health benefits.

Key Insights

Efficacy in Treating Respiratory Illnesses:
- Elderberry supplementation can significantly reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory symptoms, including those caused by influenza and the common cold .
- Elderberry extract has shown antiviral activity against various strains of influenza in vitro and has been effective in reducing symptoms during influenza outbreaks .
Safety and Side Effects:
- Studies indicate that elderberry is generally safe for consumption, with no significant adverse effects reported in clinical trials .
- Chronic consumption of elderberry extract does not alter cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers or liver and kidney function in healthy postmenopausal women, suggesting it is safe for long-term use.
Concerns about Immune System Overstimulation:
- There is no evidence that elderberry overstimulates the immune system or increases the risk of cytokine storms, even during viral infections like COVID-19.
Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties:
- Elderberry is rich in phenolics, particularly anthocyanins, which have strong antioxidant properties and potential health benefits, including reducing oxidative stress and inflammation .
- Elderberry products contain beneficial compounds that can positively affect blood pressure, glycemia, and immune system function .
Potential Harmful Compounds:
- Elderberry contains cyanogenic glycosides, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. However, processing methods significantly reduce these harmful compounds, making elderberry products safer for consumption.

Conclusion

Elderberry appears to be a safe and effective option for treating viral respiratory illnesses, with no significant adverse effects reported. It also offers additional health benefits due to its rich antioxidant properties. While concerns about immune system overstimulation and harmful compounds exist, current evidence suggests that these risks are minimal, especially with processed elderberry products. Overall, elderberry can be considered a beneficial supplement for respiratory health and general well-being.

Is Elderberry safe?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials.

Black elderberry supplementation effectively reduces upper respiratory symptoms, offering a potentially safer alternative to antibiotic misuse and prescription drugs for common cold and influenza cases.

Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review

Elderberry may be a safe option for treating viral respiratory illnesses, with no evidence of overstimulation of the immune system, but the evidence on benefits and harms is uncertain.

Cardiovascular 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.

Chronic consumption of 500 mg/d of elderberry extract for 12 weeks is safe but ineffective in altering cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers in healthy postmenopausal women.

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.

Elderberry extract, Sambucol, effectively reduces symptoms and may offer a safe treatment for influenza A and B, offering potential benefits without side effects.

Randomized Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Elderberry Extract in the Treatment of Influenza A and B Virus Infections

Oral elderberry extract appears to be an efficient, safe, and cost-effective treatment for influenza A and B virus infections, with symptoms relieved on average 4 days earlier and less rescue medication needed.

Processed elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) products: A beneficial or harmful food alternative?

Processed elderberry products can be both beneficial and harmful, with higher temperatures reducing beneficial compounds and decreasing harmful cyanogenic glycosides.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) seed proteins inhibit protein synthesis and display strong immunoreactivity with rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against the type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein nigrin b

Elderberry seed proteins inhibit protein synthesis and display strong immunoreactivity with a novel non-toxic type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein nigrin b, indicating the presence of a new type 2 RIP in elderberries.

Advanced research on the antioxidant and health benefit of elderberry (Sambucus nigra) in food – a review

Elderberry contains polyphenols, which have potential antioxidant properties, and can counteract oxidative stress, improve blood pressure, reduce glycaemia, boost immune system, and potentially treat various diseases.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) Fruit Extract Alleviates Oxidative Stress, Insulin Resistance, and Inflammation in Hypertrophied 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Activated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Elderberry fruit extract reduces oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and inflammation in hypertrophied adipocytes and activated macrophages, potentially aiding in obesity prevention and treatment.

A comparative evaluation of the anticancer properties of European and American elderberry fruits.

Both European and American elderberry fruits show significant anticancer properties, with European elderberry showing stronger induction of quinone reductase and American elderberry showing inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase.

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