Elderberry Extract

The short answer

In a randomised trial of 312 economy-class air travellers, standardised elderberry extract did not reduce how many people caught a cold. Among those who did, the elderberry group got over it sooner and with less severe symptoms. It shortened illness rather than preventing it.

The form, and why it matters

Sambucus nigra fruit extract, standardised. The trials used a standardised extract rather than syrup or juice, and the sugar load in a syrup is the part that makes dose comparisons meaningless.

Typical dose

The air-travel trial used a standardised extract dosed across the travel period. Moat carries 500 mg a day, which is the amount the supplier's specification supports and the range the published trials sit in.

What the research shows

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial gave 312 economy passengers flying from Australia either standardised elderberry extract or placebo. Cold counts did not differ significantly, 12 versus 17. Among those who got sick, the elderberry group had shorter total cold duration and lower symptom scores.

Who should be careful

Raw or unripe elderberries, bark, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and are toxic; only prepared commercial extracts are used. Elderberry is not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.

Where it sits in our formulas

Sources

• Tiralongo et al., Elderberry supplementation reduces cold duration and symptoms in air-travellers: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, Nutrients

Figures checked against the sources above on 21 September 2026.