Everyone is always looking for the best way to stay healthy during cold and flu season, with many looking to supplements like Vitamin C or echinacea. One that may be overlooked by some people though, is Elderberry.
What is it?
The elderberry is a fruit, grown on an elderberry shrub, which can grow to about 10 to 15 feet wide, and carry dark berries. The Sambucus Nigra is the most common species used in supplements. The berries are known to contain anthocyanins, a flavonoid with antioxidant properties.
How Can it be taken?
Elderberry is commonly available in capsule form, gummies, and as a syrup. It is believed the high antioxidant properties of the elderberries help to stimulate the immune system.
Benefits?
Some studies have shown positive results in terms of immune function. One particular study took place with adults exhibiting flu like symptoms. The ones who were given an Elderberry syrup were seeing symptoms reduced an average of 4 days sooner than those that took a placebo.
Another study took place with air travelers that were given an elderberry supplement. Here participants again noticed a shorter duration of cold symptoms and severity when they had taken the elderberry, versus the ones that had not.
While this evidence is not a guarantee, it is very promising in regards to the potential benefit of elderberry supplements for immune function.
Product Options
Here are a few products we carry for elderberry, or that contain elderberry.