We all know the importance of having a strong immune system. Rest and exercise, balanced nutrition and hydration are more important than ever. Two plants that may provide helpful nutrients and immune boosting properties are elderberry and echinacea. Both are easy to grow here in the Poconos and Lehigh Valley. As we talk about these popular herbs it is important to remember that this information is instructional. While echinacea and cooked elderberries are generally considered safe, please consult a medical professional to see if these herbs would benefit your particular health issues.

Elderberry History and Uses: Hippocrates, the fifth century BC classical Greek physician known as the Father of Medicine, called the elder plant his “medicine chest.” Elderflowers are edible and are rich in flavanols. They can be steeped in freshly boiled water to make a tea. The berries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and dietary fiber. The cooked berries release a rich, tart juice that when blended with honey makes a delicious syrup. 

Herbalists use elderberry to strengthen the immune system to help us avoid catching colds or flu or to shorten the duration of symptoms. A spoonful of syrup can be taken daily as a nutritional supplement. 

Elderberry has become very popular over the past several years. Have you noticed that they are now adding elderberry to cough syrups and supplements? 

Grow your own Elderberries: Keeping up with the increased demand has put a strain on the supply of dried elderberries and the price has risen accordingly. But why purchase elderberries when you can grow your own. 

Bear Creek Organics can supply you with Elderberry varieties that flourish here in the Poconos and the Lehigh Valley. They grow and sell many of the leading cultivars of American Elderberry. You’ll want to buy at least two varieties for healthy cross pollination. Once you have a plant established you can propagate additional plants by pruning small branches and rooting the cuttings, multiplying your investment. 

Echinacea: Another herb that has become popular in building a strong immune system and fighting viruses is echinacea angustifolia or purpurea, the beautiful purple coneflower. This perennial is a particular favorite of butterflies and bees and many gardeners and orchardists grow echinacea simply to attract pollinators. 

Herbalists often steep echinacea leaves, flowers, and roots in alcohol, usually a high proof vodka, to create a tincture. They let them steep for at least month. The resulting tincture can keep for a year or more. Small, repeated doses of this tincture at the first hint of a cold can nip the illness in the bud or at the very least shorten the duration and severity of symptoms. 

One-Two-Punch: Combining a teaspoonful of elderberry syrup with a teaspoonful of echinacea tincture helps the medicine go down and multiplies the immune building benefits. 

The above information is not medical advice and we recommend you do your own research and consult a professional herbalist or doctor before utilizing these plants. 

Contact Bear Creek Organics: The folks at Bear Creek Organics would like to help you build your own home apothecary with plants that are as beautiful as they are useful. The best method of contact is to fill out the contact section of BearCreekOrganics.com. You can also call 570-582-0615 to speak with Richie Mitchell, Owner of Bear Creek Organics.