We all know the importance of having a strong immune system. Rest and exercise, balanced nutrition and hydration are more important than ever. Two shrubs that may provide helpful nutrients and immune boosting properties are elderberry and Aronia berry. Both are easy to grow here in the Poconos and Lehigh Valley. While aronia 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. 

Aronia Berries (see picture): Aronia bushes are beautiful native shrubs that are easy to grow in the northeast growing roughly 5 feet in height and width. They have many benefits to wildlife as well as people. They produce clusters of white flowers that the native bees love in early summer and their foliage is a nice reddish orange in the Fall. 

What’s best is that they produce large amounts of berries that are extremely high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and other health promoting compounds. Studies have shown that Aronia berries have many health benefits such as reducing risk of cancer, anti-diabetic effects; and promotion of heart, artery, blood vessel health, organ health and more! Many people have been making a combo syrup with Aronia Berries and Elderberries.  

Contact Bear Creek Organics: Visit BearCreekOrganics.com and fill out the contact us form. Follow project activity via faceook.com/bearcreekorganics. You can also call 570-582-0615 to speak with Richie Mitchell, Owner of Bear Creek Organics.  

Bear Creek Organics - 76 Helmer, White Haven, PA

We create organic and ecological edible landscapes. With mother nature as our teacher, and extensive knowledge of edible plants, we develop beautiful food production systems that support ... Read More »