Elderberry para Influenza
B Evidencia Al menos un ensayo aleatorizado lo respalda, con resultados mayoritariamente consistentes.Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found elderberry supplementation may substantially reduce upper respiratory symptom duration and severity when started within 48 hours of onset. One double-blind RCT showed flu symptom reduction by 3-4 days compared to placebo.
Conclusión
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found elderberry supplementation may substantially reduce upper respiratory symptom duration and severity when started within 48 hours of onset. One double-blind RCT showed flu symptom reduction by 3-4 days compared to placebo.
Key Study Findings
Población: review of Sambucus nigra biological activities and phytochemistry
Población: MDCKII cells (IAV) and Calu-3 cells (SARS-CoV-2)
Población: In vitro IAV models (review)
Población: None
Población: General population
Población: COVID-19/cardiovascular populations
Key Statistics
5
Estudios
500
Participantes
Positive
Calificación
Referenced Papers
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Dosificaciones de uso común
- acute:
- 600-900 mg/day for 3-5 days
- general:
- 150-300 mg standardized extract/day
Límite superior: No established UL; short-term use recommended
Dosificaciones estudiadas en la investigación
| Dosificación | Duración | Efecto | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| IC50 ~1:400 (EC 3.2), 250 nM (quinine) | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
Mejor momento para tomar: At first sign of symptoms; within 48 hours of onset for best results
Safety & Side Effects
Efectos secundarios reportados
- ⚠ Raw or unripe berries cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (cyanogenic glycosides)
- ⚠ Mild gastrointestinal effects with prepared extracts
- ⚠ Allergic reactions (rare)
Interacciones conocidas
- ● Immunosuppressant medications (may counteract immunosuppression)
- ● Diuretics (additive effect)
- ● Diabetes medications (may lower blood sugar)
Ingesta máxima tolerable: No established UL; short-term use recommended
Consulte siempre a su profesional de salud antes de comenzar cualquier suplemento.Siempre consulte a su profesional de salud antes de comenzar cualquier suplemento.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Elderberry help with Influenza?
How much Elderberry should I take for Influenza?
Are there side effects of Elderberry?
How strong is the evidence for Elderberry and Influenza?
References
- [1] Asmaa M Khalil et al.. Inflammopharmacology. 2026. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.): an ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and biological review for a prospective nutraceutical plant. doi:10.1007/s10787-025-02017-0 PubMed
- [2] Christian Setz et al.. Nutrients. 2025. Synergistic Antiviral Activity of European Black Elderberry Fruit Extract and Quinine Against SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A Virusa. doi:10.3390/nu17071205 PubMed
- [3] Hanushree Arumugam et al.. J Appl Microbiol. 2025. Plant extracts as a source of antiviral agents against influenza A virus. doi:10.1093/jambio/lxaf056 PubMed
- [4] Dan Liu et al.. J Agric Food Chem. 2022. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.): Bioactive Compounds, Health Functions, and Applications. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.2c00010 PubMed
- [5] José Roberto Santin et al.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022. Sambucus nigra: A traditional medicine effective in reducing inflammation in mice. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114736 PubMed
- [6] Maren Eggers et al.. Phytother Res. 2022. Antiviral activity of plant juices and green tea against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus. doi:10.1002/ptr.7431 PubMed
- [7] Michał Ochnik et al.. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022. Inhibition of Human Respiratory Influenza A Virus and Human Betacoronavirus-1 by the Blend of Double-Standardized Extracts of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) … doi:10.3390/ph15050619 PubMed
- [8] Joseph Festa et al.. J Food Biochem. 2022. Elderberries as a potential supplement to improve vascular function in a SARS-CoV-2 environment. doi:10.1111/jfbc.14091 PubMed
- [9] Lena Stich et al.. Int J Mol Sci. 2022. Polysaccharides from European Black Elderberry Extract Enhance Dendritic Cell Mediated T Cell Immune Responses. doi:10.3390/ijms23073949 PubMed
- [10] Thirumurugan Rathinasabapathy et al.. J Agric Food Chem. 2022. Plant-Based Support of Respiratory Health during Viral Outbreaks. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.1c06227 PubMed
- [11] L Susan Wieland et al.. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021. Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03283-5 PubMed
- [12] Preksha Shahagadkar et al.. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2021. Berry derived constituents in suppressing viral infection: Potential avenues for viral pandemic management. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.09.728 PubMed
- [13] Michael Macknin et al.. J Gen Intern Med. 2020. Elderberry Extract Outpatient Influenza Treatment for Emergency Room Patients Ages 5 and Above: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. doi:10.1007/s11606-020-06170-w PubMed
- [14] Jessie Hawkins et al.. Complement Ther Med. 2019. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004 PubMed
- [15] . Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2019. Elderberry for influenza. PubMed
- [16] Claudio Andrés Álvarez et al.. Molecules. 2018. Identification of Peptides in Flowers of Sambucus nigra with Antimicrobial Activity against Aquaculture Pathogens. doi:10.3390/molecules23051033 PubMed
- [17] Randall S Porter et al.. Phytother Res. 2017. A Review of the Antiviral Properties of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Products. doi:10.1002/ptr.5782 PubMed
- [18] Evelin Tiralongo et al.. Nutrients. 2016. Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. doi:10.3390/nu8040182 PubMed
- [19] Christian Vlachojannis et al.. Phytother Res. 2015. Quantification of anthocyanins in elderberry and chokeberry dietary supplements. doi:10.1002/ptr.5284 PubMed
- [20] Lone Holst et al.. Front Pharmacol. 2014. Echinacea and elderberry-should they be used against upper respiratory tract infections during pregnancy? doi:10.3389/fphar.2014.00031 PubMed
- [21] Kavya Swaminathan et al.. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2013. Binding of a natural anthocyanin inhibitor to influenza neuraminidase by mass spectrometry. doi:10.1007/s00216-013-7068-x PubMed
- [22] Emiko Kinoshita et al.. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2012. Anti-influenza virus effects of elderberry juice and its fractions. doi:10.1271/bbb.120112 PubMed
- [23] Stella Zevgiti et al.. J Pept Sci. 2012. Sialic acid and sialyl-lactose glyco-conjugates: design, synthesis and binding assays to lectins and swine influenza H1N1 virus. doi:10.1002/psc.1415 PubMed
- [24] Christian Krawitz et al.. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011. Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-16 PubMed
- [25] Donald F Smee et al.. Antivir Chem Chemother. 2011. Effects of TheraMax on influenza virus infections in cell culture and in mice. doi:10.3851/IMP1744 PubMed
- [26] J E Vlachojannis et al.. Phytother Res. 2010. A systematic review on the sambuci fructus effect and efficacy profiles. doi:10.1002/ptr.2729 PubMed
- [27] Bill Roschek et al.. Phytochemistry. 2009. Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.06.003 PubMed
- [28] Mario Roxas et al.. Altern Med Rev. 2007. Colds and influenza: a review of diagnosis and conventional, botanical, and nutritional considerations. PubMed
- [29] Z Zakay-Rones et al.. J Int Med Res. 2004. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus … doi:10.1177/147323000403200205 PubMed
- [30] Vivian Barak et al.. Isr Med Assoc J. 2002. The effect of herbal remedies on the production of human inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. PubMed
- [31] V Barak et al.. Eur Cytokine Netw. 2001. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. PubMed
- [32] Z Zakay-Rones et al.. J Altern Complement Med. 1995. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) … doi:10.1089/acm.1995.1.361 PubMed
Aviso legal FDA: Estas declaraciones no han sido evaluadas por la Food and Drug Administration. Los productos y la información en este sitio web no están destinados a diagnosticar, tratar, curar ni prevenir ninguna enfermedad. Las calificaciones de evidencia presentadas se basan en nuestro análisis de investigación publicada revisada por pares y no constituyen consejo médico. Siempre consulte a su profesional de salud antes de comenzar cualquier régimen de suplementos.