The elderberry plant is a popular medicinal plant, with its berries used to make both food and medicine. The juice from the ripe berries has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for colds and flu.
Elderberry syrup, wine, dried berries, and extracts are commercially available in grocery stores and online. Elderberry supplements are also available in capsules, syrup or gummies. Some elderberry supplements may contain additional ingredients such as other herbs or vitamins to enhance the effectiveness of the elderberries. These additional ingredients can affect how well your body absorbs the active compounds in the supplement so it's important to choose a reputable brand that uses quality control measures to ensure consistent potency levels.
If you're looking for relief from colds and flu, check out our list of top rated elderberry supplements below.
How We Choose
We want the best elderberry supplements to be ones that offer a high concentration of active ingredients, are made from quality organic elderberries, and have good reviews.
We also want them to be easy to take and reasonably priced. And lastly, we want them to have positive reviews from customers so we know other people are satisfied with them as well.
After taking all these factors into consideration, we've narrowed our recommendations down to 5 of what we feel are the best Elderberry Supplements, in capsule form, available on Amazon today. You'll find that Elderberry Supplements are most commonly found as capsules, liquids, and gummies. We've chosen to focus on the capsule form only because the liquids and gummies both have added sugar to make them more palatable.
In addition stability studies have shown that the anthocyanins (elderberry's primary active substance) are much more stable for the lifetime of the product when in the powdered (capsule) form - and, again, no sugar. So, here are our top 5 winners!
Black Elderberry By Gaia Herbs
Gaia Herbs Black Elderberry is a high-quality, reliable choice if you're looking for an all-natural supplement to support your immune system.
This product contains a blend of black elderberries and acerola fruit to help maintain your body's internal systems as well as supporting its natural defenses against external threats. This means that it can be used to help boost the body's ability to fight off illness or injury when needed most. Each 2 capsule serving contains the equivalent of 10,112 mg fresh Black Elderberries, or 3,050 mg dried Black Elderberries. And, acerola fruit (cherries) are known for their high concentration of natural vitamin C, a superior antioxidant.
You'll find this product very easy to use thanks to the convenient capsule format, which makes this a great option for those who want something that they can take with them on their daily routine. It also helps that Gaia Herbs, founded in 1987, is deeply committed to the purity, integrity, and potency of each of their products. Their Black Elderberry is also vegan and gluten-free so it will suit anyone who needs dietary restrictions considered before making their purchase decision.
Elderberry 500 mg By NOW Foods
If you're looking to take on the world of herbal supplements, then it's safe to say that Now Foods' Elderberry is one of the best. It comes in a highly-concentrated form and contains a full 10:1 ratio of freeze-dried elderberries to powder, which makes for an easily-digestible supplement.
This product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians too, thanks to its eggless and dairy-free nature. The capsules are vegetarian too, so this doesn't contain any animal products whatsoever. You'll get 120 servings per bottle - which equates to four months' worth of supplementation at one a day.
As with most other supplements, there may be some side effects from taking Now Foods' Elderberry Extract in high doses for long periods of time – but this should be rare as much smaller amounts will have a more significant effect than larger quantities would anyway. This is also non-GMO and vegan certified – making it a great healthy choice. Plus the reputation of NOW Foods, a family owned company since 1968, is stellar and their quality is unmatched for all of their many products.
Elderberry 400 mg Extract By Nature Made
The Nature Made Black Elderberry Extract is a suitable choice for those looking to support their immune system, with 400mg of black elder extract. In addition this Elderberry supplement provides 100% of the Daily Value for Vitamin C (90mg) and Zinc (11mg), two key immune support nutrients - all in one easy, daily Elderberry capsule.
The Nature Made Black Elderberry Extract also contains the highly concentrated antioxidant anthocyanin, making it a great choice for supporting healthy immunity and overall health.
We liked that these supplements are all-natural, gluten free and vegan friendly; they're made without artificial flavors or colors. And they do hold up well when refrigerated between uses (it's recommended you keep them in the refrigerator to maintain freshness). This product has earned the third spot on our list because it offers impressive quality at an affordable price point with no compromises.
Advanced Formula Sambucus Elderberry By BioSchwartz
Elderberry has a long history of use as both medicine and food, and its health benefits are backed by plenty of research. It's loaded with antioxidants that help combat the harmful effects of aging, it can boost your immune system, improve digestion and circulation, and reduce inflammation in the body.
BioSchwartz Sambucus elderberry capsules contain an impressive blend of natural elderberry extracts, zinc, vitamin C and more to help support a healthy immune system. This is expertly formulated with quality ingredients to promote immunity support and antioxidants to fight free-radicals - all while tasting great too! Each vegetarian capsule contains 500mg Sambucus fruit per serving along with 7mg zinc (64% RDA) and 120mg of vitamin C per capsule for added immune-supporting power.
BioSchwartz is also an excellent company that establishes stringent quality control standards in their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. They manufacture all their supplements to exceed the expectations set by cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices). And they take things a step further by enlisting 3rd party, independent labs to check all of their products for purity and potency.
Elderberry, Vitamin C + Zinc By Viva Naturals
The Viva Naturals Sambucus Elderberry with Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D3 5000 IU & Ginger is one of the best elderberry supplements you can buy. With a convenient two-month supply of capsules, this black elderberry supplement will give you all the immune support you need to keep fighting off future colds and flus.
Each serving contains more than a full serving of vitamin D3 5000 IU and 10 mg of zinc oxide, along with a whopping 300 mg of ginger. This high-quality formula also includes 400 mg of vitamin C – an antioxidant that helps support your immune system and ward off infection. And since these are capsules instead of tablets, they're easier to swallow when it's time for another dose.
Viva Naturals, a twelve-year old Toronto Canada company, has put together this amazing "5-in-one" product, made with sustainable and ethically sourced raw materials for the health of their customers and the planet. So, if you're looking for a great quality black elderberry supplement at a reasonable price point then the Viva Naturals Sambucus Elderberry with Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D3 5000 IU & Ginger should be at the top of your list!
Best Elderberry Supplement FAQs
You want to know which supplements are best for your health, but you're not sure where to start.
It can be tough to find the right information about elderberry supplements. There are a ton of products on the market and a lot of conflicting information out there, so it's hard to know who to trust.
Even if you do your research, you'll likely have questions remaining about the best possible option for your needs. We've created this guide with some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about elderberry supplements. So, with our list of suggestions above, and these answers, you should be able to make an informed purchase!
What Is The Best Type Of Elderberry To Take?
While there are many different types of elderberries out there, some have more health benefits than others. Specifically, black elderberries contain the highest amount of anthocyanins and specifically erythrodiol , which are potent antioxidants that protect against free radicals and prevent cell damage.
While any type of berry may help with immunity and offer some other minor benefits, studies show that black elderberries significantly lower the severity of flu symptoms compared to a placebo . Most importantly, black elderberries can actually reduce the length of time you're sick by about two days compared to no treatment at all.
In addition to being one of the best overall types, Sambucus nigra is also believed to be one of the easiest for your body to absorb because it's not as tough as other varieties like Sambucus cyanura .
Is It OK To Take Elderberry Everyday?
While it is generally considered safe to take elderberry supplements on a daily basis, this can actually backfire by raising your tolerance to the beneficial effects of the berries. It's best to take elderberry no more than twice a day and ideally with a few hours in between doses. A good way to ensure you're getting the maximum benefit from this supplement is to stop taking it for one week every three or four weeks.
Which Is Better Elderberry Syrup Or Capsules?
The simple answer is that you get more of the good stuff in syrup form, but both versions are effective. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, six weeks of taking elderberry capsules (with 7.5 grams per day) reduced cold and flu symptoms by an average of 60%, compared with 44% for people who took a placebo or took only 5 grams daily. People who took the higher dose also had fewer symptoms after one week – but this didn't translate into fewer days missed from work or school.
Do Elderberry Supplements Really Work?
Yes, if you're looking for relief from cold and flu symptoms. The majority of studies on elderberry have been conducted on humans. In this context, the berries are almost always made into a supplement rather than being consumed whole.
The best-researched type of elderberry is known as Sambucus nigra subspecies cerulea (also called blueberry or black elderberry). Studies show that this variety can significantly reduce your chances of coming down with influenza A and B viruses when taken daily during the virus's season. It can also lower your chances of getting a serious case of the flu and shorten your time with mild to moderate cases by an average of about one day.
How Do I Choose Elderberry Supplements?
There are a lot of different brands on the market, and they can range in price quite significantly. When choosing an elderberry supplement, it's worth thinking about what you're looking for from it. Do you want something that will give your immune system a boost? If so, then consider one of the higher potencies or those containing additional ingredients like zinc and vitamin C.
If you're primarily concerned about preventing colds and flu specifically, then look for products high in vitamin C (they'll be called berry extracts).
What Are The Cons Of Taking Elderberry?
It's important to note that you shouldn't give elderberry to babies or young children, as it can sometimes cause anemia. It's also not advised for people with kidney disease. Elderberries are high in sugar, so if you have diabetes, discuss taking the supplement with your doctor first.
That said, there aren't many side effects associated with taking elderberry supplements and most of the side effects that do occur are minor: upset stomach; dizziness; constipation; sleepiness; headache. If you're taking any medications or have health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems, check with your doctor before starting a supplement.
When Should I Take Elderberry Morning Or Night?
Ideally, it's best to take elderberry supplements in the morning because that's when your immune system is at its lowest point. Depending on how much you work out and how many colds you tend to get, this might mean taking daily supplements from September through February. Some brands, like Nature Made, offer a timed release formula so that the berries are released over several hours throughout the day.
If you prefer to take your supplement only at night or before going into an environment where germs are more likely to spread (such as public transportation), there are nighttime-specific formulas available as well. Be sure to check individual product descriptions for information about dosing amounts and timing of administration.
Can You Take Vitamin C And Elderberry Together?
It is fine to take vitamin C and elderberry together. Elderberries contain vitamin C, so taking an elderberry syrup or capsule alongside a vitamin C supplement won't cause any issues.
However, there's no need to take both unless you want the extra protection against a cold or flu. You can also get too much vitamin C, which can lead to digestive problems and other side effects, so it's best to stick with the recommended dosage on the product label if you're combining these supplements.
Which Is Better Black Elderberry Or Elderberry?
While they are related, black elderberry and elderberry are not the same thing. They belong to different plant species (Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis) and grow in different parts of the world. Elderberries grow wild in North America, Europe, and Asia while black elderberries only grow in North America.
Black elderberries have a stronger flavor than regular European or American elderberries so they work better as medicine. Plus, they contain more anthocyanins - the compounds that give fruit their color. While both berries have similar health benefits, there is one difference: black elderberry tastes much better!
What Is The Most Potent Form Of Elderberry?
The most potent form of elderberry is the dried berries, which contain more than 100 times the amount of antioxidants compared to fresh berries. However, it's very difficult to eat that many dried berries, so most people choose a supplement containing standardized extracts – either in pill or liquid form.
Plant-based supplements derived from elderberries may not be as strong as those made with purified anthocyanins (the active ingredients in the fruit), but they're likely easier for your body to absorb and digest.
Conclusion
As we have discussed, there are many different varieties of elderberry supplements available on the market today. Before choosing one, it is important to consider all the factors that we have discussed, such as concentration of flavonoids, quality and species of the berries used, processing methods, price and customer reviews.
As you now know, Elderberry provides powerful immune system support - invaluable during the flu and cold season. So, now that you’ve had a chance to read about what we believe are some of the best Elderberry supplements on the market, it’s time to choose one that’s right for you. Remember all of these products are natural - not one synthetic product or vitamin in the bunch!
Remember to always check with your healthcare professional before starting any new vitamin or supplement regime.
Now don’t forget to tap the “Check Price” button below each product picture to get the best deal on Amazon today!
Thank you for reading and check back again for reviews of other herbals and vitamins. We hope this article was helpful.
*We are not qualified medical advisors. The content here is only based on our personal opinions and should NOT be used as a substitute for a healthcare professional's advice!
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