There may be a few simple steps that you can take to reduce the severity and duration of a cold or upper respiratory system infection the next time you travel.
Airborne is a popular immune supplement for air travelers trying to reduce the chances of getting sick from recirculated air in a plane cabin.
What is in Airborne? Airborne contains a few basic ingredients that include vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, along with a few minerals including zinc, selenium, manganese, and magnesium.
There are many herbs that have been studied for reducing upper respiratory infections including echinacea and elderberry. 
Elderberry contains compounds that have been shown to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties are often used to fend off symptoms related to the cold and flu.
In the European Union, the German Commission E a regulatory body that reviews evidence for botanical extracts, approved Elderberry for colds.
The British Herbal Compendium lists elderberry uses for common cold, and feverish conditions.
A recent study published in Nutrients evaluated 312 travelers on an economy class intercontinental trip to determine if elderberry could reduce the symptoms associated with the common cold and flu.
Here are the study details:
- 312 passengers were randomized to receive either Elderberry or Placebo
- Flight had to be at least 7 hours
- Study design: Double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical trial.
- Each Elderberry capsules contained the following: 300 mg of extract that contained 22% polyphenols such as quercetin and rutin, 15% anthocyanins such as cyanidin and pelargonidin glycosides.
- Travelers took 2 capsules of elderberry 10 days before travel. On the day of travel subjects took 3 capsules. Subjects continued taking 3 capsules for 4 to 5 days after travel was completed.
- Passengers randomized to the placebo group took the same amount of capsules without elderberry present.
Here are the main results:
- Elderberry shorted the duration of a cold by 2 days from 6.88 days (placebo group) to 4.75 days (elderberry).
- Placebo group participants had a significantly higher average symptom score (583 vs 247).
- Elderberry was well tolerated.
Take away message: Possibly you have tried products like Airborne but you would like to find an alternative to Airborne. If you are looking to reduce the severity or symptoms of cold during your next trip there is evidence suggesting elderberry can reduce cold duration and symptoms of cold. Elderberry supplementation in this study began 10 days before the travel and continued for 4-5 days after the travel. The study reported that the length of the cold was reduced by 2 days compared to the placebo group. Elderberry also reduced the severity of the symptoms to less than half of what the placebo group symptoms were.
Reference: Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travelers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2016; Volume 8 (Issue 4):182.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Antioxidant, Clinical Trials, Infection, Plant Extracts, Plant Medicine