Australian researchers have found an elderberry supplement can benefit air travelers by providing some protection from cold and flu-like symptoms following long-haul flights.
While jet lag and fatigue are the most common health problems facing intercontinental air travelers, upper respiratory infections are also common.
But researchers from Griffith's Menzies Health Institute Queensland conducted a clinical trial, involving 312 jet travelers, that found those who took an elderberry supplement experienced reduced severity and duration of travel-related infections than those receiving a placebo.
"We found that most cold episodes occurred in the placebo group, but the difference between the placebo and active group was not significant. However, the placebo group had a significantly higher number of cold episode days, and the symptom score in the placebo group over these days was also significantly higher," said researcher Evelin Tiralongo, who presented the findings at an International Integrative Medicine Conference in Melbourne.
"Complementary medicines are used by two in three Australians, thus increasing the evidence base of these medicines should be at the forefront of our efforts. It's often forgotten that the evidence for various herbal medicines is extract specific."
The study follows recent European studies published in the journal Current Therapeutic Research that found a combination of Echinacea herb and root extract supplemented with elderberry can be as effective as the conventional antiviral medicine Tamiflu for the early treatment of influenza.
© 2025 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.