With the news of the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico, the United States and elsewhere in the world, we have been receiving some questions from consumers regarding the role of black elderberry as a possible remedy.
Although black elderberry has been used for centuries to boost the immune system and current, published, clinical research does support the role of black elderberry in the reduction of flu symptoms for various strains of influenza, no clinical studies have been carried out on the use of Sambucol against Swine Flu.
If you have been exposed to Swine Flu, or believe you have, and are suffering from associated flu-like symptoms we recommend that you immediately contact your healthcare provider. For further information, please go to:
CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza (Flu)
Sambucol & Swine Flu
Q&A 5th May 2009
If I take Sambucol for Swine Flu, will it cause a cytokine storm?
Cytokines are produced by the immune system when it is under attack from viruses and pathogens. Cytokines signal immune cells to travel to the site of attack or infection. This is a normal body process that is kept under control by a feedback loop.
It is theorised that this feedback process can become uncontrolled and too many immune cells are stimulated in a single place. This is often referred to as a cytokine storm. Little is known about the involvement of cytokines and the cytokine storm in swine flu and what evidence there is, is limited and contradictory.
Although elderberries have been shown to increase cytokine production to fight infections, there is no evidence in the literature to indicate that herbal remedies, including elderberry extract, are linked to, or cause, a cytokine storm.
Has Sambucol been clinically tested against Swine Flu?
There have been no clinical studies on the use of Sambucol against Swine Flu.
