Sambucol is a trademarked supplement manufactured and marketed by Australian-based PharmaCare Laboratories largely in Europe and the United States. It is used in the early treatment of colds and influenza. If you are pregnant and are considering the use of Sambucol, consult a physician as not enough is known about possible adverse effects.
Black Elder
For centuries, humans have found medicinal purposes for parts, usually the berries or flowers, of the common elderberry or black elder, Sambucus nigra, a relative of honeysuckle. Historically black elder has been applied to dry up mucus, ease respiratory symptoms, alleviate fever and treat colds and flu at an early stage. Black elderberries are now known to be rich in biologically and pharmaceutically active compounds such as anthocyanins. Sambucol is a very concentrated extract of these berries.
Sambucol
Sambucol is available in a variety of different syrup and tablet formulations with concentrated elderberry extract as the common and active ingredient. According to the product website FAQs, the different formulations are all kosher-certified. They are also free of animal products, except the gel capsules, which contain cow gelatin. According to a 2002 study in the "Israel Medical Association Journal," Sambucol does stimulate the production of cytokines, compounds that help mobilize the immune system. There is a lack of available safety data regarding this supplement, so consult a physician before taking Sambucol.
Pregnancy Concerns
As the American Pregnancy Association cautions, being "natural" does not indicate whether an herbal supplement is safe for you or your baby. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not subject herbal supplements, including Sambucol, to the same rigorous safety tests as prescription drugs. According to the manufacturer, "due to a lack of clinical data available on the use of Sambucol during pregnancy, it is advisable to avoid taking the product at this time." Consult your physician about taking any supplement or medication during pregnancy. A similar caution applies to breast-feeding mothers.
Alternatives
If you are pregnant and have a cold or the flu, there are alternatives to Sambucol that your physician can recommend. BabyZone describes no fewer than 19 "pregnancy-safe" cold and flu treatments, including acetaminophen, some brands of cough syrup, nasal strips, honey and lemon and mentholated chest rub. An annual flu shot can prevent or reduce the symptoms of seasonal influenza. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends that pregnant women receive inactivated rather than live-virus flu vaccines. On your doctor's recommendation, you may be able to take the vaccine for pneumococcal pneumonia, which can be a serious consequence of flu.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Natural Herbs and Vitamins During Pregnancy
- BabyZone: Pregnant With a Cold; Jacqueline Tourville
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:An Ounce of Prevention Keeps the Germs Away
- Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Sharol Tilgner; 2009
- Israel Medical Association Journal: The Effect of Herbal Remedies on the Production of Human Inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines; Vivian Barak et al.; November 2002
- Sambucol: Most Frequently Asked Questions
