If you suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis, irritation and inflammation of your air passages can cause you a great deal of distress. Herbal products such as Sambucol have been used for years in treating colds, coughs, asthma and the flu. Sambucol, which contains natural black elderberry extract, is an antioxidant and immune modulator that may offer support from symptoms and improve immunity. Talk with your doctor and a registered medical herbalist to determine if Sambucol is right for you.
Chemistry
The medicinal effects of Sambucol are due to the spectrum of natural phytochemicals and nutrients that are present in elderberries. According to "Eat Smart, Stay Well," elderberries contain natural vitamin C, quercetin, rutin, pectin, dietary fiber and carotenoids. The active phytochemicals in elderberries are lectins; free fatty acids; essential oils, including betulic acid, triterpenes, oleanic acid and ursolic acid; and four different anthocyanins called cyanidin 3-sambubioside-5-diglucoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside and cyanidin 3-sambubioside.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Sambucol is an anti-inflammatory product that may alleviate the symptoms of asthma and bronchitis through modulating immune function. In a study published in "The Israel Medical Association Journal" in 2002, researchers from Hadassah University Hospital investigated the effects of elderberries on inflammatory chemicals in the body. Sambucol products were compared to echinacea and propolis products in vitro, and they were found to have the strongest effect on inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines. If you are suffering from an infection or if your immune system is not functioning properly, Sambucol is an immune stimulant that supports protection from pathogens and healthy immune responses.
Antiviral Properties
According to a clinical trial published in "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" in 1995, researchers from the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School found that elderberries have significant antiviral properties. People who were treated with elderberry products recovered from viral infections, including influenza A and influenza B, up to four days faster than people who recovered on their own. Researchers confirm that this antiviral and anti-influenza activity is something not available through pharmaceutical medications, making elderberry a powerful and unique treatment option for patients.
Safety and Toxicity
According to Drugs.com, elderberries are considered safe and are well-tolerated by the majority of the population. While levels of cyanide are present in the berries, cooking them renders elderberries safe for consumption. Products containing the leaves and stems of the elder tree should be avoided, as these parts of the plant are known to cause adverse reactions and toxicity. There is no evidence on whether elderberries are safe during pregnancy and lactation, so if you are pregnant or breast-feeding you should use elderberry products with caution. Consult with your doctor before combining elderberry products such as Sambucol with prescribed medications.
References
- "Eat Smart, Stay Well"; Susanna Lyle; 2010
- "The Israel Medical Association Journal"; The Effect of Herbal Remedies on the Production of Human Inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines; V. Barak, et al.; 2002
- "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; 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; Z. Zakay-Rones, et al.; 1995
- Drugs.com: Elderberry
