Edible Rocky Mountain Berries

Colorado abounds with colorful berries, many of which have long served both animals and humanity. Here is some insight to just a few of these nutrient rich allies.

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana, P. melanocarpa, P. demissa) is a member of the Rosaceae (Rose) Family. The berries were an important food source for many local tribes and enjoyed by birds and bears. When unripe, the berries are astringent and can cause one’s mouth to feel dry, hence the name chokecherry. The berries are best collected after the first hard frost. Drying the berries improves their flavor. Ripe berries are used in pemmicans, stews, jellies, sauces and wine. The powdered berries have long been used as a remedy to treat diarrhea. The berries are also made into an effective cough syrup.

Consuming the chokecherry seeds should be avoided as they contain hydrocyanic acid, which in large amounts can breathing difficulty. Cooking or drying the berries destroys this toxic property. It is best to strain the seeds out before making chokecherry products.

Currant (Ribes cereum) (Wax currant), R. aureum (Golden Currant), R. hudsonianun (Northern Black Currant)) are members of the Grossulariaceae (Ribes) Family. The berries are also known as gooseberries, and all varieties are a safe edible food, rich in vitamin C and pectin. Currants are used to make pemmican, jams, jellies, liqueurs, even cooked with fish. The golden currants are said to be the most flavorful. Native peoples have considered them strengthening tonics and used as a remedy against heart disease by countering the effects of a high fat diet, perhaps due to their pectin content.

Elder berries (Sambucus glauca, S. cerulea, S. canadensis) berries are members of the Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle) Family. Native Americans often marinate salmon in elderberry juice before cooking. Farmers once considered the appearance of the unripe green elderberries as a sign that it was time to plant wheat. In the early 1900's, hospitals served elderberry jam due to its high content of nutrients, flavor and ability to improve the appetite, and promote regularity.

Elder berries (Sambucus canadensis, S. nigra) are rich in vitamin C, calcium, potassium and iron. Elderberries can be enjoyed as cobbler, pie, ice cream, jam, syrup, soup and cordial. Elderberries are considered anti-viral and a study done in Israel, showed that elderberry syrup decreases the duration of cold and flu symptoms. Many cooks prefer using dried berries finding that the drying process helps to sweeten the flavor of the berries. Red elder berries are considered toxic There is a saying about elderberries. “Blue is true and red is dead.”

Hawthorn (Crataegus species) is a member of the Rosaceae (Rose) Family.

Hawthorn berries are a favorite heart healing herb, and are used medicinally to treat high blood pressure, and insomnia. Hawthorn berries can be eaten raw or made into pemmican, jam, chutney, vinegar, soup, wines and beer. Hawthorn is so effective in softening hard substances that the Chinese use it in cooking tough old chickens. It aids in the digestion of fats and oils. Hawthorn berries contains vitamin C, chorine, vitamins B1, B2, and calcium.

Using hawthorn berries may increase the effects of heart medications. Consult with a competent health professional, as the medication dosage may need to be lowered. Hawthorn is considered extremely safe. Fairies are said to hang out in hawthorn groves.

Oregon Grape (Mahonia ripens, M. aquifolium, M. nervosa, M. pinnata) is a member of the Berberidaceae (Barberry) Family. The ripe berries are very tart and eaten raw, made into pies, jellies, jams and wine. They are high in vitamin C. When mixed with water and a sweetener, they make a refreshing beverage, much like grape juice.

Raspberries (Rubus species) are known for their high content of vitamin C and potassium. These delectable sweet and sour berries also contain pectin, which is useful in the “setting up” of jams and jellies, and flavonoids, which give the fruit its rich color.

In Chinese medicine, raspberries are regarded as a tonic for the kidneys and liver. They help to build the blood and thus are a good food for anemia. Raspberries are cleansing and have been used as a traditional medicine for diarrhea, frequent urination, impotence, high blood pressure, parasites, excess menstrual bleeding and rheumatism. They have also been shown to have antiviral properties.

Raspberries are lovely when eaten plain, in fruit salad, smoothies, ice creams, pies, jams, syrups, or as a garnish for green salads.

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) is a member of the Anacardiaceae (Cashew) Family. The fuzzy red berries are soaked in cold water to make a rose-colored sun tea for its cool, sour flavor and high vitamin C content. The fruits are also nibbled in small amounts to quench thirst.

Lemonade Berry, Three Leaved Sumac (Rhus trilobata), is a close relative of the Smooth Sumac. Their fruit is edible, though not very tender, is best made into a lemonade like beverage. The berries were also dried and ground into flour and traditionally mixed with corn and a sweetener. Oil from the fruits used topically to treat hair loss. Though both of these sumacs are considered safe, they are in the same family as Poison Ivy and should be used cautiously by those with extreme sensitivities. (By the way, mangoes and cashews are also in the family.

Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva ursi), is a member of the Ericaceae (Heath) Family. In Latin, uva means grape and ursi means "of the bear," hence the common name "Bearberry." It also goes by the name Kinnikinnik. The fruit is a small scarlet berry with mealy pulp. Raw, the berries of uva ursi are bland, but do help to quench thirst and stimulate saliva flow and can be used as survival food. The berries can be mixed with other foods such as fruits or juices. The berries contain calcium, chromium, iron, potassium, selenium, and flavonoids.

With all new foods, it is wise to consume in moderation to give your body an opportunity to adapt. Of course, when harvesting any of these plants, be sure to leave plenty for the wild animals that depend on these foods for their survival.

Brigitte Mars is an herbalist and nutritional consultant of Natural Health with over forty years of experience. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University, Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition, The School of Natural Medicine, Living Arts School, and Heilseimestraskollin in Iceland. She has taught at Omega Institute, Esalen, Kripalu, and The Mayo Clinic, She blogs for the Huffington Post and Care2. She is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild.

Brigitte is the author of many books and DVDs, including The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing, The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Beauty by Nature, Addiction Free Naturally, The Sexual Herbal, Healing Herbal Teas, Rawsome! and co-author of The HempNut Cookbook. DVDS include Sacred Psychoactives, Herbal Wizardry for Kids of all Ages, Natural Remedies for Childhood Ailments and Natural Remedies for Emotional Health. Her latest project is a phone app called IPlant.

Brigitte and her daughter, Sunflower Sparkle Mars run Herb Camp for Kids in Boulder, Colorado. Brigitte's other daughter is world famous activist/yogini-actress/ supermodel, Rainbeau Mars.

Please check out www.brigittemars.com

Brigitte will be teaching these classes during the Gathering:

Herb Walk - Brigitte Mars

We will learn about the edible and medicinal plants growing in our Rocky Mountain region, and make a wild edible salad to share!

Natural Remedies for Mental and Emotional Health - Brigitte Mars

Learn how to use food, herbs, essential oils and other lifestyle techniques to improve depression, anxiety, OCD, anger, fear, grief, trauma, stress as well as enhance intelligence and improve sleep.

Sacred Psychoactives - Brigitte Mars

Explore the ancient herbs and modern research of shamanic substances. Understand how they affect the physiology. Learn how to prepare safe set and setting and integrate the experience into an evolved dimension of life.

Join us! You can purchase tickets today here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mountain-west-herb-gathering-tickets-20631884522?aff=ehomesaved

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