1:0 for your immune system – with the dream team “Black Elderberry & Quinine”

Is your immune system ready for winter? A recent study from Germany shows how you can support your body’s defenses in keeping viral infections at bay – and ideally outsmart coughs, body aches, and fever. The scientists discovered a “dream team” from natural medicine: elderberry extract and quinine. Their fascinating laboratory study demonstrates that this combination can be effective against viruses1. We explain the science behind it.

Plant-based immune boosters with a long tradition

Respiratory infections are caused by various pathogens, most often viruses: these range from harmless colds to influenza². Several plants contain natural ingredients that can support our health. For example, they can neutralize viruses by inhibiting their replication. Good examples are the berries of the European black elderberry and quinine, a bitter substance from the bark of the cinchona tree. Both natural substances have a firm place in traditional medicine.

Black elderberry: Berry-strong against pathogens

Black elderberries have been used in folk medicine for centuries to promote health, for example to treat colds or flu and to strengthen the immune system.³ Their effectiveness has been demonstrated in several studies.

But what exactly makes elderberries such an excellent immune booster? A look at their valuable ingredients reveals the answer, including polysaccharides (complex sugars) and secondary plant compounds, such as polyphenols and especially anthocyanins. These are plant pigments that are not only responsible for the berries’ dark color. Anthocyanins also have an important protective effect, for example, by protecting the plant from excessive UV radiation. The great thing about this is that we humans can also benefit from consuming these secondary plant compounds. They protect our cells by neutralizing reactive molecules in the body, so-called free radicals.⁴

WARNING: Raw elderberries contain the mildly toxic substance sambunigrin. Therefore, berries should always be cooked and never eaten raw⁵!

Quinine as a traditional medicine

You are probably familiar with quinine as an ingredient in bitter drinks like tonic water and sodas like bitter lemon. Traditionally, however, quinine has been used as a fever reducer and pain reliever.6 The indigenous people of the South American Andes have long used this natural substance for medicinal purposes – because the cinchona tree is native to that region.

Study: Elderberry extract and quinine together are even more effective

Researchers at the University of Erlangen conducted a recent laboratory study investigating the effects of elderberry and quinine extracts against influenza viruses and the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. When they reviewed the results, they were particularly impressed by the combination of these two natural substances: together, they exhibited a synergistic effect. This means that their combined effect is greater than the sum of the effects achieved by each substance individually (see sidebar).

What were the detailed results of the study?

In the study, cells were infected with influenza viruses or SARS-CoV-2 viruses and treated with an extract of black elderberries at various concentrations. These were the results:

• Elderberry extract was able to inhibit the multiplication of both influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
• An extract from cinchona bark was able to slow the spread of influenza viruses¹. A previous laboratory study had already shown that quinine also has an inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 viruses⁷.
• But the most important finding was: A combination of elderberry extract and a cinchona bark extract was able to almost completely block the multiplication of the treated viruses due to the synergistic effect.

Did you know? There are synergies in medicine too!

Synergistic effects are frequently used in medicine to achieve stronger effects in the treatment of diseases. Often, even lower doses of the active ingredients are required than if both components were used individually.

For example, some antibiotics work better when administered together.⁸ Furthermore, this can reduce the risk of resistance developing to the drugs. Patients with certain types of cancer are also frequently treated with several medications simultaneously to achieve the best possible results.^{9, 10}

For your health: How you can permanently strengthen your immune system

Right now, with cold and flu season in full swing and flu season just around the corner, such news sounds truly beneficial. Because what has already shown effectiveness in laboratory tests may well have the potential to support your immune system in fighting viruses. If you’d like to try it out for yourself: A combination of elderberry extract and quinine is possible, for example, through the regular intake of elderberry extract as a dietary supplement – ​​and the enjoyment of tonic water containing real quinine.

Important: You shouldn’t wait until the cold and flu season to pay attention to your immune system. A strong immune system is a year-round endeavor!