Sambucus health benefit by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Sambucus (Elder or Elderberry) is a genus of several species of shrubs or small trees.

Absorption and excretion of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) anthocyanins in healthy humans.
Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2007 Oct. Private Consultant, Bad Soden, Germany.
Pharmacokinetic variables of several dietary anthocyanins (potent natural antioxidants) following consumption of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) extract were evaluated in urine and plasma of six healthy volunteers. They were given a single oral dose of either 30 ml (278 mg total anthocyanins) or 200 ml (1852 mg total anthocyanins) of a commercially available elderberry extract. Within 7 h, the fraction of orally administered total anthocyanins (calculated as the sum of cyanidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-glucoside) excreted unchanged was 0.39% and 0.27% following ingestion of 30 and 200 ml, respectively. The low dose-normalized area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and the fraction of orally administered anthocyanins recovered unchanged in urine indicate a low bioavailability of these compounds.

An observational study and quantification of the actives in a supplement with Sambucus nigra and Asparagus officinalis used for weight reduction.
Phytother Res. 2008 March. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
The aim of the study was to obtain information on the content of co-active compounds of a food supplement recommended as a weight reduction diet and on its short-term effectiveness and safety as a starter for lifestyle change. Eighty participants completed the protocol. The Sambucus nigra L. berry juice enriched with flower extract and tablets containing berry powder and flower extract provided a total of 1 mg anthocyanins, 370 mg flavonol glycosides and 150 mg hydroxycinnamates per day; the Asparagus officinalis L. powder tablets provided 19 mg saponins per day. After the diet, the mean weight, blood pressure, physical and emotional well-being and the quality of life had significantly improved.

Sambucus products
Nature's Way Sambucus nigra black elder berry extract
Nature's Way Sambucus nigra black elder berry extract for kids
Nature's Way Sambucus nigra black elder berry extract immune support with echinacea and astragalus