Elderberry

Herb

Sambucus nigra fruit products marketed mainly for respiratory infections. Reviews find a small and heterogeneous evidence base that does not support prevention claims or establish effectiveness for COVID-19.

Pharmacokinetic model

A route-level PK model for elderberry is being prepared from published data. Dosing references, studies, and documented interactions are below; the app catalog is updated as models are validated.

Key facts

Category
Herb
Suggested cadence
once daily

Research behind this entry

  1. Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review Wieland LS, Piechotta V, Feinberg T, Ludeman E, Hutton B, Kanji S, Seely D, Garritty C · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2021 DOI

    Systematic review found limited evidence that elderberry might shorten symptoms in some respiratory infections, with no established preventive effect and no direct evidence for COVID-19. Trials were few, small, and…

  2. Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Tiralongo E, Wee SS, Lea RA · Nutrients, 2016 DOI

    Trial in air travelers evaluated one proprietary elderberry preparation around travel. Cold incidence was not clearly prevented; secondary duration and symptom findings require replication and cannot generalize to all…

2 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.