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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Andrographis vs Elderberry: Elderberry has the stronger overall evidence (6 vs 7/10); they're alternatives for support immune system — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Elderberry wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Likely helps
3 of 4 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Andrographis and Elderberry have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
400mg extract (standardized to 10-30% andrographolides), 3x daily for acute use
At first sign of cold symptoms, With meals
Standardized extract (10-30% andrographolides)
300-500 mg extract daily during illness (the cited trials used 500 mg of extract a day in capsules, or 15 ml of syrup four times a day). Label products go up to 900 mg, above that dose.
At first sign of symptoms, Multiple times daily during illness
Standardized extract (syrup or capsules)
2-5 days
2-5 days
2-5 days
When taken at symptom onset
During illness
Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis
In pooled analyses, when compared with placebo, clinical response rates were significantly higher for Indigo naturalis (IN) (RR 3.70, 95% CI 1.97-6.95), but not for Curcuma longa (CL) (RR 1.60, 95% CI 0.99-2.58) or Andrographis paniculata (AP) (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.71-1.26).
Safety of Andrographis paniculata: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety (2021) · Meta analysis
Incidence of serious AEs was very rare with the pooled incidence (95% CI) from RCTs of 0.02 per 1000 patients (0.0-0.5).
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019) · Rct · n=103
Patients treated with 300 or 600 mg/day of ParActin® showed a significant reduction in pain at days 28, 56, and 84 compared with a placebo group.
Genus Sambucus: Exploring Its Potential as a Functional Food Ingredient with Neuroprotective Properties Mediated by Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms
International journal of molecular sciences (2024) · Review
In vivo studies using animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, have shown that Sambucus compounds can improve cognitive function, motor performance, and neuronal survival while attenuating neuroinflammation and oxidative damage.
Label compliance for ingredient verification: regulations, approaches, and trends for testing botanical products marketed for "immune health" in the United States
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2024) · Review
Narrative review of US regulations and testing methods for verifying ingredient claims on botanical products sold for immune health, with elderberry, turmeric and functional mushrooms as examples.
Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Preserving and Protecting the Immune System in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review
Nutrients (2022) · Systematic review
Immune health products represent approximately 10% of all US dietary supplement sales.
Two placebo-controlled trials of the same standardised extract (KalmCold, also sold as AP-Bio). At 200 mg a day, 223 adults with an uncomplicated upper respiratory infection had lower overall symptom scores than placebo by day 5 (PMID 20092985). In a 300-person trial of 200 or 400 mg a day for 7 days, both doses lowered symptom scores on day 3 by the same amount, with no difference on days 5 and 7, and no participant reported adverse physical symptoms (PMID 36842634). 400 mg was no better than 200 mg, so the curve is flat and no optimal dose is given. The respiratory infection meta-analysis (PMID 28783743) reports symptom benefits but no doses, so it is not plotted.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Elderberry has a higher evidence score (6/10 vs 7/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For support immune system, Andrographis has a higher relevance score (90 vs 80).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.