Sambucol feedback thread - non-testers: What do you do to support your DCs immunity? £100 hamper prize draw! NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

This thread is for the 100 Mumsnetters who tested out Sambucol Kids Teddies to leave their feedback.

Here's what Sambucol say, "Sambucol is a great tasting food supplement packed with thousands of Black Elderberries. Black elderberries contain naturally occurring flavonoids. Sambucol also contains Vitamin C, which is well known for its ability to support the immune system. Sambucol is made from Black Elderberries which have twice the natural antioxidant capacity of blueberries and more than 50% the overall antioxidant capability of cranberries. Antioxidants strengthen the immune system by helping neutralise the harmful effect of free radicals."

Non-testers: How many episodes of colds and sniffles do you have to deal with in an average year with each of your children? What do you do to help support your DCs immunity?

All non testers who add a comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 hamper of Skin Doctor cosmetics.

Testers: Below are some questions we'd like you to answer but feel free to add any other thoughts you have.

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Q5. Any other comments?

All testers who add their feedback to the thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a hamper of Skin Doctor cosmetics worth £250.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[StuntNun]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
My boys aged 11 and 7 both tried the Teddies. They already take a daily multivitamin so they were happy to have the additional two Teddies as well. They liked the teddy shape and said the flavour was nice. All in all they enjoyed taking them. I do think the teddy shape might be offputting to an older or more mature child but my boys were happy enough with then.

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
I found the lid quite hard to open. I am concerned about the teddy bear shaped bottle as it makes the product look like sweets. I don't think there would be much risk if a child got into the bottle, apart from the expense and the possible laxative effect of too much vitamin C, but I don't think it's ideal to have a medicinal product in packaging that looks like a child's toy.
There wasn't any information with the product so I wasn't sure what the intended use is: whether it's something to be taken daily as a preventative, or whether it is just given when the child has a cold or the 'flu.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
I probably wouldn't recommend it as I'm not convinced by the sparse clinical studies on the efficacy of black elderberry. A lot of people like to use complementary medicine so I would mention it to someone, e.g. who said their child was always getting ill. My children tend to avoid the worst of coughs and colds so I would probably save the product for when they were actually ill rather than giving it all the time.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
I might buy it because, although it's much more expensive than a simple vitamin C tablet, the shape and flavour of the product was popular with my boys so I know they would take it without a fuss.

Q5. Any other comments?
If I were buying a product to support my children's immune systems then I would prefer one with more actions, for example including zinc as well.

[changedirection]

Non tester

We give them multivits, but in not convinced they actually do much!
No colds yet this year. Dd is 3, as is1

[AnnieWinehouse]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies?

DS is 8 3/4 and DD is 7 1/2.

What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies?
DS loves them and asks for them every day. DD tried one the first day, was all excited about the shape of the sweet and the bottle, and the way it changed colour in her mouth, but didn't like the taste and hasn't had one since.

Did they like the taste or not?

DS yes, loves it, DD not at all.


Q2. What was your overall impression of the product?

It smells good! It was certainly novel. And although I told them it was NOT a sweet and they were only allowed two a day, they were very excited to try it. So it was potentially very good.
Did you like it?
Yes
If so, why?
New and exciting and tastes good (to me!). An easy way of getting a supplement into them.
If not, why not?
DD didn't like the taste of it.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not?
I would probably mention it.

If so, why? If not, why not?
Having experience of the product.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not?

No.
If so, why? If not, why not? Far too expensive. I don't know what the actual benefits are. I MAY resort to it if they became ill all the time.

Q5. Any other comments?
I'm not sure that the claims to boost the immune system are true. It's impossible to tell if it actually works. My D Cs are relatively healthy and strong anyway.

[AlmaMartyr]

Non-testers: How many episodes of colds and sniffles do you have to deal with in an average year with each of your children? What do you do to help support your DCs immunity?

My kids get I'll about 5/6 times a year I reckon? We get a lot of exercise and fresh air and they eat a healthy diet but I don't do anything special to support their immune systems.

Testers: Below are some questions we'd like you to answer but feel free to add any other thoughts you have.

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
My 5 year old daughter tried them. She loves the bottle and the teddy shape and thinks they taste like sweeties. She can't open the bottle herself which is good to know. She seems very positive overall.

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
I liked it, seems fun and a bit different. I tried one and it was very tasty.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
I'd probably mention it and say it was good because I did like it.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
No, probably not. That seems prohibitively expensive compared to any other vitamins on the market when it isn't really offering anything special. A product would have to be really special and properly medically proven to justify that cost for me.

Q5. Any other comments?
Not really.

[NettleTea]

Tester here
Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
they were for the 7 year old, but the 13 year old pinched a bunch of them. 7 year old said he loved them, 13 year old said 'me too - can I have another one'

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I liked it. I like that ingredients are specific, so no chance to OD on different vitamins if you use these seperately.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes,

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Probably a bit much for me, especially as we make a fresh elderberry syrup each winter - though this is much more convenient for travelling!

Q5. Any other comments?

[escape]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?

My boys are 7 & 8 years old - they were immediately drawn to these ' health sweets' and ask to take them, and prefer the taste over others.

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?

The Boys found/find the packaging attractive and overall, I have no problems getting them to take the tablets - they prefer them over other brands/taste etc - therefore, i am happy with the brand.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Based on the kids feedback, I would yes. The price as below is prohibitive.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

For that price I would need multi vitamins and they are far more expensive than other brands, so based on price - no, if comparative to others in the market price wise - absolutely.

Q5. Any other comments?
Thank you, the boys are enjoying this product.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
Ds2 is 5. He's not impressed with them at all! He would like them much more if they were softer.

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
I thought the packaging was terrible! The plastic teddy with what looks like the eyes drawn in with a sharpie pen looks cheap, and the huge wad of cotton wool stuffed in the top made me think that it should be far smaller or there should be way more teddies in each pack.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
I would suggest them as an idea if anyone mentioned that their dc needed their immune systems boosting, but would mention that ds2 disliked them and why.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
No chance at that price (even if ds2 had have liked them).

Q5. Any other comments?
Thanks for giving us the chance to try these.

[KateOxford]

Non tester response. My son aged 3.5 probably has about 4-5 colds a year. I give him a multi vitamin in a liquid form but I do often forget. I will be looking at alternatives such as this now as I think he will be more likely to ask me for his vitamin if it's a chewy sweet and we would be less likely to forget! Also the vitamin he has is a rather dark syrup and if it drips on to clothes can really mark them - not what you need first thing in the morning! We always get out and have fresh air and I try not to have the heating blasting away.

[MichelleMumsnet]

Thanks for all the feedback and comments so far. There have been several comments regarding Sambucol and othervitamins. Sambucol would like to say the following,

"Sambucol is so much more than just a vitamin. Its main component, Black Elderberry, has been scientifically tested in numerous trials and proven to have effective immune support faculties. It is a fantastic source of antioxidants, with one of the highest ORAC values amongst known fruit. Black Elderberry has been used as a traditional remedy for centuries; even Hippocrates (400 BC) referred to it as ‘the medicine chest’. Sambucol has a unique formula, which utilises the whole berry in high quantities for each dose. The best way to take Sambucol is daily, however, if you have not been taking anything and feel under the weather, taking Sambucol during that time will also help support your immune system effectively."

[RedlipsAndSlippers]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
DD is 5, she loves the taste and that the tablets are shaped like teddies. I thought she'd be excited about the teddy shaped bottle, but she wasn't really interested.
Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
I tasted too, and agree that they taste really nice. I like the bottle more than DD does, but think that it's possibly a little large for the amount of tablets in it. It took a lot of cotton wool to fill the empty space!
Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
I'd probably recommend these to people whose children are fussy about taking vitamins as the shape makes them more fun, however they don't contain a full range of vitamins, so for that reason I'm more likely to recommend other brands.
Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Not at that price, as I said above they don't contain a range of vitamins and are considerably more expensive than the brand I already buy.
Q5. Any other comments?
Too expensive for me, but DD's enjoying them while they last. Might reconsider if they come out with a multi vitamin.

[Stujobohm]

My daughter is 4 and lived taking these she asked every day for them.
I liked the product, we all loved the flavour.
I have talked about these to others and think they are a good idea.
I couldn't afford to buy these regularly as it's only a month worth for £12.99
A very tasty product and a great idea if only they were cheaper.

[SilkStalkings]

Non Tester

3 kids aged 5-10, I can count on one hand per child the number of colds they have each had, ever! Me too, I had my first cold in two years last summer.. I put it down to slatternly hygiene all round, toughens you up.

[majjsu]

Non tester. My LO is 3 years old and since being at nursery, seems to pick up whatever is doing the rounds. This winter she has had 3 colds already, so reckon for a year, about 6. I offer fruit and veg at every meal.

[NK5BM3]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?

My children are nearly 6 and 3.5 years old. Even though the product was for the older child, they both had it. they loved the taste of the teddies and the younger kept wanting more!! They liked the packaging as well... it was a cute idea to use the cotton as part of the face and making it look like a polar bear.

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?

We tried one too and it was quite tasty. I was impressed with it.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would recommend it to people because of its taste.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

at £12.99 that's very expensive, especially when you compare it with the competitors (bassets etc).

[sarahbanshee]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
5yo liked the taste very much and said it tasted of "strawberries and salt" (this is praise)

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
Like many other posters, I didn't like the empty space in the jar filled with cotton wool - it seemed wasteful packaging. My son liked the jar and will want to keep it when it's empty. As a product, I thought it was ok but I prefer to give a multivitamin with a range of nutrients in it to a single vitamin like this - especially as we eat lots of fruit and veg so I am not worried about vitamin C.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?.
I'd say they are ok if you just want vitamin C but the price is very steep.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
No, I think that's very expensive and would prefer to buy a multivitamin.

[theressomethingaboutmarie]

thanks for picking me as a tester! Please find my answers below:


Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
My 6 year old daughter tried them. She LOVED the packaging and that they were shaped like teddies. She's not overly keen on the taste but takes them because she knows that they are good for her.

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
The packaging really is quite sweet. My baby loves to play with it. I agree with the posters about the empty space filled with cotton wool - it's a waste of both plastic and cotton wool.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
I would actually caution them about buying them because of the flavour (not sure if other flavours are available) but £12.99 for a months supply of vitamins that your child may not like, is very steep indeed.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
£12.99 for a vitamin C supplement is way beyond my budget and expectations. I generally buy a multivitamin for my daughter on a 3 for 2 basis (to get a good deal) and end up with about 6 months supply for the same price as 1 months supply of Sambucol.

Q5. Any other comments?
I was really surprised at the flavour. Given that they are targeted towards children, surely something more neutral and widely accepted, such as strawberry, would have been a better choice.

[Kveta]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?

4, and he loves them, thinks they are sweeties.

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?

it's ok. not sure why the bottle is so large, but DS loves the bottle. they smell a bit odd to me, clearly a vitamin tablet, not actually a sweet.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

probably not, given the price. I think other multivitamins offer a lot more for a lot less.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

hell no, that price is monstrous for concentrated elderberry tablets - elderberries are practically a weed round here, they grow everywhere, so not sure how sambucol can justify such a price for tablet versions of it.

Q5. Any other comments?

Since taking the teddies, DS has gone down with a nasty cold, and had a day off nursery with a high temperature. I can't see that the tablets have had any sort of positive effect on his immune system that a decent diet and sunshine wouldn't have.

[lia66]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?

Dd is 6 and loves the teddies, the look and the taste.


Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?

I liked the overall look, cute packaging .


Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would re come d them if they were about 8 or 9 quid cheaper.


Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Sadly no, the price is way too much especially as I have 4 children that would be having them.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Non-tester. Ds always seems to have a child and passes it straight on to us. The main thing I do to boost his immune system is extended breast feeding (he's nearly two). He also has lotsof fruit and veg and multivitamin syrup every morning but I don't think about minor illnesses with those, more ensuring he has the nutrients to grow healthily.

[natcat7000]

I'm a non tester. My little one tends to pick up some of what's going around at nursery. I would say he gets five or six colds during the autumn/winter months. When he is ill with something it goes right to his chest. I give him loads of fluids, bundle him up well etc. Each day, I give him vitamin syrup in the morning and try to feed him loads of fruit and veg generally to keep his immune system strong. And plenty of fresh air and exercise.

It's a balancing act because I believe a certain amount of exposure to day to day germs is a good thing, but obviously I don't want him to catch anything really nasty. I'm pretty sure the rampant use of antibacterial gels etc are making the germs themselves more powerful but on the other hand, a certain level of cleanliness is needed of course!

Personally, I take Sambucol through the winter and particularly if I feel a cold coming on and I think it lessens the severity of it. I have started giving my son a small amount when he isn't well now that he is a bit older.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?

6 and 8. They both like the taste of the teddies and look forward to having one after their breakfast.

Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?

I liked it. They look appealing and smell nice. It's impossible to judge if they've helped boost their immune systems. I'm not convinced they're needed if children eat a balanced diet.

Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Possibly.

Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Definitely not, they're far too expensive for something that I can't be sure is beneficial.

[cspinks12]

I buy my 7 yr old an omega 3 multivitamin which she takes daily through the winter but misses a few on the odd occasion. She eats plenty of fruit but not enough vegetables but still suffers a few winter colds. Could be worse though if I didn't help boost her immunity with the vitamins.

[MoogDroog]

Q1. How old was the child who tried the Teddies? What did they think overall of Sambucol Teddies? Did they like the taste or not?
DS is 5 (well is next week). He is very impressed with his teddies and prompts me to give him one of I've forgotten, which he then waves in front of his little sister as she's too young to have them. He loves the taste and was impressed by the packaging.
Q2. What was your overall impression of the product? Did you like it? If so, why? If not, why not?
They look quite good to me, though I've not tried one myself. The Cotton Wool in the top of the container is s bit odd though, though I very much like the idea of the product.
Q3. Would you recommend Sambucol Teddies to friends/family if it came up in conversation or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
To soon to recommend on the basis of their effectiveness, but if my friends were looking for a similar protect I'd recommend these
Q4. Sambucol Teddies' RRP is £12.99 for 60 teddies, do you think you'd be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
That's far too steep a price for our family at the moment, though if they were an all in one solution with all the vitamins etc then I'd consider it.
Q5. Any other comments?
Just Thanks for selecting us for the trial.

[GentleOtter]

Tester.

Q1. Child is 6. He loved the look, smell and taste of the teddies.

Q2. Overall impression of the product was very positive. Struggled slightly with the childproof lid but the bear is very cute. Product smells lovely.

Q3. I would recommend this product if the price was considerably lower. It is difficult to tell if the benefits of the elderberries are working but ds avoided the cold which his other classmates/ sister caught.

Q4. £12.99 is too much so the cost alone would put me off buying the product. The product may be beneficial but it would take a few weeks for the active ingredient to establish in the immune system so I am guessing around £39? Multiply that if you have other children and it is an awful lot of money. (£195 for family of 5 for three months)

[RedKites]

Non-tester. My two have a fair few colds, but they are 1 and 3 (with the 3yo at preschool) so I think it's only to be expected. We give them a multi-vitamin when we remember but that is mainly for the vitamin D and to make up for DS1's lack of vegetable eating, I'm not actually too worried about vitamin C as they both love fruit.