Last update
3/28/2026
Reviewed By
Overview
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 3 Researches
5.3
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 10 Reviews
8.7
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 Teaspoons (10 ml)
Serving Per Container: 12
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calories
25
Total Carbohydrate
7 g
3%†
Total Sugars
7 g
**
Includes 3.1 g Added Sugars
6.2%
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
110 mg
122%
Zinc (as zinc gluconate)
2.6 mg
24%
Black Elderberry Extract
3.8 g
**
Top Medical Research Studies
2
Researchers tested whether zinc acetate could help people suffering from persistent, hard-to-treat cough. In this randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study, 34 participants received either zinc acetate or placebo for 6 weeks, with improvements measured using four different cough and quality-of-life scales.
While zinc successfully increased serum zinc levels in treated participants, both groups improved similarly across all measures. The improvements in cough symptoms and quality of life were too small to meet clinically meaningful thresholds, suggesting zinc acetate offers no real advantage over placebo for chronic cough sufferers.
While zinc successfully increased serum zinc levels in treated participants, both groups improved similarly across all measures. The improvements in cough symptoms and quality of life were too small to meet clinically meaningful thresholds, suggesting zinc acetate offers no real advantage over placebo for chronic cough sufferers.
Read More
7
Dietary vitamin C reduces smoking-related cough
A survey of 4,300 young Norwegian adults examined whether dietary vitamin C intake relates to respiratory symptoms like cough and wheeze. Researchers estimated vitamin C consumption through questions about orange juice, oranges, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes over the past year.
Among current smokers, those consuming more dietary vitamin C (395+ mg/week versus under 209 mg/week) showed reduced odds of morning cough and chronic cough. The protective effect was even stronger for ex-smokers experiencing wheeze. These benefits held true even after excluding people taking vitamin C supplements, suggesting the effect comes from food sources themselves.
The findings suggest that vitamin C's antioxidant properties may help counteract oxidative stress caused by smoking, potentially easing respiratory symptoms in smokers specifically.
Among current smokers, those consuming more dietary vitamin C (395+ mg/week versus under 209 mg/week) showed reduced odds of morning cough and chronic cough. The protective effect was even stronger for ex-smokers experiencing wheeze. These benefits held true even after excluding people taking vitamin C supplements, suggesting the effect comes from food sources themselves.
The findings suggest that vitamin C's antioxidant properties may help counteract oxidative stress caused by smoking, potentially easing respiratory symptoms in smokers specifically.
Read More
7
Vitamin C fruit reduces childhood wheezing effectively
A large-scale study involving nearly 19,000 Italian children aged 6-7 years examined whether eating citrus fruits and kiwis—both rich in vitamin C—could reduce respiratory symptoms like wheezing and chronic cough. Parents reported their children's fruit intake and respiratory health through standardized questionnaires, with a subset of over 4,100 children followed up one year later.
The findings were striking: children eating vitamin C-rich fruit five to seven times weekly showed significantly lower rates of chronic cough compared to those eating it less than once weekly. Notably, even modest consumption of just one to two servings per week offered protective benefits. The effect was particularly pronounced among children with a history of asthma, with weekly fruit eaters experiencing less than half the wheezing incidents of infrequent consumers.
The findings were striking: children eating vitamin C-rich fruit five to seven times weekly showed significantly lower rates of chronic cough compared to those eating it less than once weekly. Notably, even modest consumption of just one to two servings per week offered protective benefits. The effect was particularly pronounced among children with a history of asthma, with weekly fruit eaters experiencing less than half the wheezing incidents of infrequent consumers.
Read More
Most Useful Reviews
9
No coughing, sneezing
203 people found this helpful
A great remedy! If I notice the first signs of a cold, I immediately give it to my child, and by the next day, there's no coughing or sneezing.
Read More
9
Symptoms disappeared quickly
142 people found this helpful
This is a fantastic remedy for colds. I used to buy just elderberry syrup, which I liked, but this one, enriched with vitamin C and zinc, boosts immunity. I give it to my seven-year-old daughter at the onset of a cold, and the results are striking. The initial signs of a cold and minor cough almost vanished within three days. Although she had a slight cough and throat redness, there was no fever. The syrup tastes pleasant for children, making it easy to administer.
Read More
9
Quickly effective remedy
121 people found this helpful
A great thing! When I notice the first signs of a cold, I administer 5 ml daily, and by the next day, she has no coughing or sneezing. I will definitely order more.
Read More
Medical Researches
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 3 Researches
5.3
- All Researches
7
Dietary vitamin C reduces smoking-related cough
A survey of 4,300 young Norwegian adults examined whether dietary vitamin C intake relates to respiratory symptoms like cough and wheeze. Researchers estimated vitamin C consumption through questions about orange juice, oranges, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes over the past year.
Among current smokers, those consuming more dietary vitamin C (395+ mg/week versus under 209 mg/week) showed reduced odds of morning cough and chronic cough. The protective effect was even stronger for ex-smokers experiencing wheeze. These benefits held true even after excluding people taking vitamin C supplements, suggesting the effect comes from food sources themselves.
The findings suggest that vitamin C's antioxidant properties may help counteract oxidative stress caused by smoking, potentially easing respiratory symptoms in smokers specifically.
Among current smokers, those consuming more dietary vitamin C (395+ mg/week versus under 209 mg/week) showed reduced odds of morning cough and chronic cough. The protective effect was even stronger for ex-smokers experiencing wheeze. These benefits held true even after excluding people taking vitamin C supplements, suggesting the effect comes from food sources themselves.
The findings suggest that vitamin C's antioxidant properties may help counteract oxidative stress caused by smoking, potentially easing respiratory symptoms in smokers specifically.
Read More
7
Vitamin C fruit reduces childhood wheezing effectively
A large-scale study involving nearly 19,000 Italian children aged 6-7 years examined whether eating citrus fruits and kiwis—both rich in vitamin C—could reduce respiratory symptoms like wheezing and chronic cough. Parents reported their children's fruit intake and respiratory health through standardized questionnaires, with a subset of over 4,100 children followed up one year later.
The findings were striking: children eating vitamin C-rich fruit five to seven times weekly showed significantly lower rates of chronic cough compared to those eating it less than once weekly. Notably, even modest consumption of just one to two servings per week offered protective benefits. The effect was particularly pronounced among children with a history of asthma, with weekly fruit eaters experiencing less than half the wheezing incidents of infrequent consumers.
The findings were striking: children eating vitamin C-rich fruit five to seven times weekly showed significantly lower rates of chronic cough compared to those eating it less than once weekly. Notably, even modest consumption of just one to two servings per week offered protective benefits. The effect was particularly pronounced among children with a history of asthma, with weekly fruit eaters experiencing less than half the wheezing incidents of infrequent consumers.
Read More
2
Researchers tested whether zinc acetate could help people suffering from persistent, hard-to-treat cough. In this randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study, 34 participants received either zinc acetate or placebo for 6 weeks, with improvements measured using four different cough and quality-of-life scales.
While zinc successfully increased serum zinc levels in treated participants, both groups improved similarly across all measures. The improvements in cough symptoms and quality of life were too small to meet clinically meaningful thresholds, suggesting zinc acetate offers no real advantage over placebo for chronic cough sufferers.
While zinc successfully increased serum zinc levels in treated participants, both groups improved similarly across all measures. The improvements in cough symptoms and quality of life were too small to meet clinically meaningful thresholds, suggesting zinc acetate offers no real advantage over placebo for chronic cough sufferers.
Read More
User Reviews
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 10 Reviews
8.7
- All Reviews
- Positive Reviews
- Negative Reviews
9
No coughing, sneezing
203 people found this helpful
A great remedy! If I notice the first signs of a cold, I immediately give it to my child, and by the next day, there's no coughing or sneezing.
Read More
9
Symptoms disappeared quickly
142 people found this helpful
This is a fantastic remedy for colds. I used to buy just elderberry syrup, which I liked, but this one, enriched with vitamin C and zinc, boosts immunity. I give it to my seven-year-old daughter at the onset of a cold, and the results are striking. The initial signs of a cold and minor cough almost vanished within three days. Although she had a slight cough and throat redness, there was no fever. The syrup tastes pleasant for children, making it easy to administer.
Read More
9
Quickly effective remedy
121 people found this helpful
A great thing! When I notice the first signs of a cold, I administer 5 ml daily, and by the next day, she has no coughing or sneezing. I will definitely order more.
Read More
7.5
Supports immunity well
18 people found this helpful
I use this syrup for my child to support their immunity! It effectively alleviates cold symptoms and reduces illness duration. With zinc included, it positively impacts immunity. The bottle has a measuring cup for accurate dosage. As we know, black elderberry is a diaphoretic herb that combats viruses and bacteria, making it effective in preventing and treating colds, sore throats, and coughs. I highly recommend this, but be mindful of the sugar content for those with diabetes.
Read More
7.5
Reduced coughing frequency
10 people found this helpful
My five-year-old daughter, who has been frequently ill for the past year, was advised by our paediatrician to try Sambucol. After just three days, her coughing became significantly less frequent. I hope it fully resolves soon. I purchased Sambucol with vitamin C and zinc for immunity; although it’s not the cheapest option, I find it effective. She finds the taste slightly sour, but I dilute it with water, and she drinks it well.
Read More
Frequently Asked Questions
9
No coughing, sneezing
203 people found this helpful
A great remedy! If I notice the first signs of a cold, I immediately give it to my child, and by the next day, there's no coughing or sneezing.
7.5
Reduced coughing frequency
10 people found this helpful
My five-year-old daughter, who has been frequently ill for the past year, was advised by our paediatrician to try Sambucol. After just three days, her coughing became significantly less frequent. I hope it fully resolves soon. I purchased Sambucol with vitamin C and zinc for immunity; although it’s not the cheapest option, I find it effective. She finds the taste slightly sour, but I dilute it with water, and she drinks it well.
9
Symptoms disappeared quickly
142 people found this helpful
This is a fantastic remedy for colds. I used to buy just elderberry syrup, which I liked, but this one, enriched with vitamin C and zinc, boosts immunity. I give it to my seven-year-old daughter at the onset of a cold, and the results are striking. The initial signs of a cold and minor cough almost vanished within three days. Although she had a slight cough and throat redness, there was no fever. The syrup tastes pleasant for children, making it easy to administer.
10
Effective against chronic issues
2 people found this helpful
This syrup is wonderful and truly effective! My child's chronic throat problems, which pharmacy drugs could no longer alleviate, started to improve after just three days of use. I’m grateful this syrup helped without resorting to antibiotics, and I will definitely keep it on hand for future needs. I wish everyone good health!
7.5
Supports immunity well
18 people found this helpful
I use this syrup for my child to support their immunity! It effectively alleviates cold symptoms and reduces illness duration. With zinc included, it positively impacts immunity. The bottle has a measuring cup for accurate dosage. As we know, black elderberry is a diaphoretic herb that combats viruses and bacteria, making it effective in preventing and treating colds, sore throats, and coughs. I highly recommend this, but be mindful of the sugar content for those with diabetes.
9
Stronger immune system
1 people found this helpful
A friend recommended elderberry, and it has significantly reduced my mucus build-up and night-time coughing. My immune system, which has always been weak, is improving day by day with this product. I’m a lifetime customer!
6
Performance varies
1 people found this helpful
Decent product, but I have noticed quicker improvement with "California Gold Nutrition," which is also cheaper. This syrup is effective, easing coughing and runny nose on the same day, but I find better brands available.
9
Quickly effective remedy
121 people found this helpful
A great thing! When I notice the first signs of a cold, I administer 5 ml daily, and by the next day, she has no coughing or sneezing. I will definitely order more.
References
- Omenaas E, Fluge O, Buist AS, Vollmer WM, Gulsvik A. Dietary vitamin C intake is inversely related to cough and wheeze in young smokers. Respir Med. 2003;97:134. PubMed
- Forastiere F, Pistelli R, Sestini P, Fortes C, Renzoni E, et al. Consumption of fresh fruit rich in vitamin C and wheezing symptoms in children. SIDRIA Collaborative Group, Italy (Italian Studies on Respiratory Disorders in Children and the Environment). Thorax. 2000;55:283. PubMed
- Balasubramanian A, Holbrook JT, Canning BJ, Que LG, Castro M, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of zinc acetate for treatment of chronic refractory cough: pilot randomised futility trial. ERJ Open Res. 2023;9. 10.1183/23120541.00678-2022
Data last updated:
