Elderberry for winter ailments

I don't know why there haven't been more scientific studies on elderberry - it's benefits seem so obvious when you start using it.

The Greeks were talking about the medical benefits of elderberry in 400 BC. Indigenous peoples of North America separately discovered its health benefits and have been using elderberry syrups for hundreds of years if not longer.

The modern scientific consensus is officially "mixed", but one popular 2004 study in Norway seems to be somewhat convincing. 60 people who had flu symptoms and started taking elderberry (or a placebo) early in their illness, and the ones who took elderberry recovered a full four days faster than those who had the placebo.

A follow up study in 2016 with 300 passengers on long-haul airline flights showed a 2 day reduction in cold/flu symptoms, and milder symptoms overall.

A 2020 study in the ER from Cleveland Clinic showed elderberry did not help recovery - though these people were already in the ER when they started taking it, so their illnesses had progressed significantly at the time of dosing.

I'm not a doctor nor a trained scientist, but the evidence seems to point at the idea that elderberry really helps prevent cold/flu onset, and potentially reduces symptoms if taken early on in the trajectory of the illness.

And, the historical record is overwhelming: humans have been using elderberry for thousands of years to treat winter ailments.

(Link here is to Amazon - the specific elderberry gummies we prefer, but you can find so many good options at your local pharmacy or grocer)

We recommend this to everyone. Stay healthy out there!