“15 Health Benefits of Serviceberries – A Great Tasting Treat”

Where they Grow – Serviceberries, Juneberries, or Saskatoon Berries as they are sometimes called. Serviceberries grow on a small tree in cooler climates from Alaska through the Midwest. They also grow in China and Native American tribes have used them as a food source for hundreds of years. Native Americans also used them for making pemmican to preserve and meat.

Serviceberries

Serviceberries grow in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and throughout the Rock Mountains and even in Alaska.

And in Canada they grow serviceberries as a cash crop on the prairies.

Wild Free Edible – Serviceberries are another wild edible food that is free.

Season and Taste – They look a lot like large blueberries and taste similar to blueberries… and are ready to eat from July through August.

Growing – They like slightly acidic soil, but will grow in alkaline soils, and love lots of moisture and good drainage. They need sun and thrive when they are in bright light. Serviceberries grow in wild areas like elderberries and blueberries.

Service berries have beautiful white flowers, and the whole tree becomes a mass of white flowers making it a great addition to a yard.

And even though serviceberries have been around for hundreds of years very few gardeners know how delicious these berries are… and how easy they are to grow.

Antioxidants – Serviceberries are high in antioxidants thus making them important for helping to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer.

Chinese Medicine – In Traditional Chinese Medicine serviceberries are used for building the blood and nourishing vital energy.

Native American Healing – In Native American Healing serviceberries are thought to build tired blood and build vital energy in the body… especially good for mothers after giving birth. And some tribes also use the red leaves, stems, and flowers for making tea.

Blood Pressure – Being full of lots of great antioxidants they also have the ability to lower blood pressure and help regulate blood pressure. And some people make a decoction of the flowers to bring strength to the heart and lungs.

Polyphenols – Serviceberries like green tea contain lots of polyphenol compounds which help to prevent DNA damage, slow the aging process… and prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer.

Flavonoids – Serviceberries are full of wonderful quercetin, delphinidin, maldivin, cyanidin,  petunidin, and pelargonidin, which are powerful agents to prevent disease and stop free radical degradation.

Inflammation – Serviceberries contain an enzyme which inhibits a compound called cyclo-oxygenase which causes inflammation and pain.

Mucus Membranes – The seeds of the serviceberries have been used for soothing the mucus membranes of the mouth and the lining of the lungs… when made into a tea.

GI – Tea make from the bark of the serviceberry tree soothes away GI distress.

Contains – Serviceberries contain lots of vitamins A & C as a great antioxidants. Vitamin K for clotting, Vitamin E for sexual health and good skin, B Vitamins for good mood and vitality, iron for anemia, calcium for strong bones, fiber for colon health promoting probiotic bacteria… and magnesium and manganese for enzyme production and immunity.

Uses – Serviceberries can be eaten fresh, canned, in muffins, pies, soups, in pemmican, puddings, in sausages, dried in trail mix, made into beer and cider, and some people even make serviceberry tea… but most people eat them right off the tree.

The long stems of the bush or tree can be used for making baskets, rope, furniture and other needed items.

Perhaps it’s time to try some great tasting serviceberries.

You can order serviceberry products and trees on-line, just google “Buy Serviceberry Products” and they will come up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This information is meant to get you started… so you can do more research on your own… dig a little deeper and find what works for you. This article is for educational purposes only, I strongly recommend that you seek advice from your own GP, private doctor, or medical specialist for any ailment, illness, or medical condition.. this article not meant to be a scientific analysis in any way, shape, or form. 

Dr. Paul Haider – Master Herbalist and Spiritual Teacher for over 20 years, helping people to recover and feel healthy. You can also find Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul Haider, Healing Herbs, and at www.paulhaider.com – feel free to contact him any time. 

Here is a short video bio – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK6Eg-xlX3U

Here is my Google+ address if any of you would like to connect.  —   http://plus.google.com/+PaulHaider–drpaulhaider   

Dr. Paul Haider, Master Herbalist, HH, USA, Serviceberries, Tree, Antioxidant, Flavonoids, inflammation, GI tract, Mucus Membranes, Cardiovascular Disease, Strokes, Cancer, Polyphenols, Blood Pressure, Tea,