Effects of a Combination of Elderberry and Reishi Extracts on the Duration and Severity of Respiratory Tract Infections in Elderly Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to respiratory tract infections, so natural strategies to ameliorate the duration and severity of these infections are of great interest in this population. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the consumption of a combination of elderberry and reishi extracts on the incidence, severity, and duration of respiratory tract infections in a group of healthy elderly volunteers. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was performed during the winter season. A group of 60 nursing home residents ≥65 years of age was randomly assigned to receive a combination of 1.5 g of elderberry +0.5 g of reishi or a placebo daily for 14 weeks. Data about the health conditions of the volunteers were evaluated and recorded by a medical doctor every 2 weeks. The incidence of respiratory infections was similar in both groups. However, volunteers in the extract group presented a significantly lower duration of common cold events (2.5 vs. 4.8 days, p = 0.033).and a significantly lower probability of having a high severity influenza-like illness event (p = 0.039). Moreover, the incidence of sleep disturbances was significantly lower in the extract group (p = 0.049). Therefore, the administration of a combination of elderberry and reishi extracts to the elderly population during the winter season might be used as a natural strategy to reduce the duration and severity of respiratory tract infections.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.): Bioactive Compounds, Health Functions, and Applications

“…67 In addition, in a randomized, double-blind, and placebocontrolled trial, oral suspension sachets consisting of elderberry (1.5 g) and reishi (0.5 g) extracts for 14 weeks could significantly decrease the duration and severity of respiratory tract infections in patients but not affect the incidence of respiratory tract infections in 60 healthy elderly volunteers over the age of 65. 68 However, it was also reported that, for people over the age of 12 (4 times a day for 5 days) and at the age of 5−12 (twice a day for 5 days), the oral liquid of elderberry extract at the dosage of 5.7 g/15 mL had no benefits to reduce the duration and severity of influenza in a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial with 87 patients. 69 The causes of different results among these studies can be possibly related to the form of elderberry extract delivery, the health status, the age, and the number of participants, as well as the dose and time of treatment.…”

“…It was found that supplements with elderberry capsules (containing 300 mg of elderberry extract) could significantly decrease the duration and severity of a cold in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial with 312 economy class passengers of air travel . In addition, in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial, oral suspension sachets consisting of elderberry (1.5 g) and reishi (0.5 g) extracts for 14 weeks could significantly decrease the duration and severity of respiratory tract infections in patients but not affect the incidence of respiratory tract infections in 60 healthy elderly volunteers over the age of 65 . However, it was also reported that, for people over the age of 12 (4 times a day for 5 days) and at the age of 5–12 (twice a day for 5 days), the oral liquid of elderberry extract at the dosage of 5.7 g/15 mL had no benefits to reduce the duration and severity of influenza in a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial with 87 patients .…”

Potential Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables

“…Moreover, the sleep disturbances were significantly reduced in the berry-fed group. Thus, the suitability of the elderberry + reishi extract in reducing the respiratory tract infections was confirmed [10].…”

Effect of Supplemental Antioxidant-Based Therapy on the Oxidative Stress Level in COVID-19 Patients

“…The reishi mushroom has a proven antiviral effect against some RNA and DNA viruses through the protective action of cells by increasing CD4+ T lymphocytes subsets [26]. Its use in COVID-19 patients is discussed by some authors as a natural strategy for reducing duration and severity of respiratory tract infections [27][28][29][30].…”