Autumn is coming in... and I'm here for it.
- pollybarsby6
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
Foraging, recipes and a cheeky little discount...
I have to admit that I am rather enjoying the change in weather. Last weekend, as the rains came down, I spent a glorious day holed up, reading books, playing the guitar and singing. When my body felt like moving, I donned my waterproofs and headed out into the blustery, wet wind in search of dripping clusters of Elderberries to make into a winter tonic. (see recipe at bottom of page)
This time of year has a special fleeting magic steeped in voluptuous decay and I love foraging through the hedgerows for goodies. I highly recommend it as aa way of connecting and grounding into the change of season after the whirlwinds of the glorious Summer.
There is so much to harvest. There are all the usual fruits, like blackberries, apples, plums, elderberries, but there are also lesser known berries to seek out. If you are in the right areas, now is the time to find the golden gems of the Seabuckthorn bush. As its name implies, you will largely find these spikey bushes near the sea, often on sand-dunes in the East and South of the UK, I've also found many on the Gower peninsula in Wales. There is lots to be found in Scotland apparently, though I've not yet been up there to find it.
Why is Seabuckthorn so great?
These puppies are amongst some of the most vitamin and mineral rich fruits out there. They contain about 12 times more vitamin C than oranges and have more beta-carotene than carrots. They have a vast range of vitamins including A for teeth and bones, B1, B2, B6 and B12, vitamin E, K, numerous minerals and omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 oils for healthy skin.
I use Seabuckthorn to supercharge two of my most popular products; Wild Rose & Seabuckthorn beauty balm and my Multi-vitamin facial oil. The results of using Seabuckthorn topically are tenfold. It is known to increase collagen production (yes please! my 45 years shout), it can also even out skin tone by reducing pigmentation AND it provides nourishing omega oils which reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst protecting the skin barrier.
If you want to know more about this pick yourself up a cheeky discount, then head over to my website and use code: SEABUCKTHORN12 at checkout to get 12% off.
How to Harvest Seabuckthorn and make yourself an immune boosting Elixir.
What I want to share with you today is how to make some home-brew health tonics from the berries that you find (or buy - you can also buy them frozen to add to smoothies or create the recipes below. Check out the British Seabuckthorn company who grow on the Eats Essex coast https://www.britishseabuckthorn.com/ )
If you do want to forage for them, beware - they come with a spiky warning! The berries hug themselves very closely to some seriously spiny branches and can get so ripe that they simply disintegrate into a juicy mess as soon as you touch them. It is not, however, impossible and here are three good options for harvesting them.
1) Get in there early. Fruits soften as the season (late August through to winter) progresses. When less ripe they can be carefully twisted from the branches and popped into a bucket to collect seeping juices.
2) Take strong rubber gloves and pull the berries off in a downward motion into a bucket. You will inevitably get covered in their sticky juices, but it's worth it if you want to make a super-juice to power you through the winter months.
3) Take secateurs and snip off the branches that have berries, take them home and freeze them. The berries will then easily come off and nutrients are preserved.
Here are a couple of recipes you can have a go with. Expect a tangy, sour taste from the berries. You know something is rammed with vitamin C when it makes you wince! Fear not - there is honey in both these recipes to take the edge off.
✨ Seabuckthorn Elixir Recipe ✨
Ingredients
2 cups seabuckthorn berries
Juice of 1 orange
2 cups water
2 tbsp honey
Grated ginger
Optional: pinch turmeric + black pepper
Method
Simmer the ginger in the water with a lid on for ten minutes.
Blend the berries + orange then strain through a muslin or cheesecloth bag.
🍯 Add altogether and stir in honey, ginger and turmeric and black pepper ( if using)
Pop it into a sterilised bottle and keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Alternatively you can freeze it into cubes to last all winter long.
💛 Why it’s good for you:
As well as all the vitamins, minerals and omegas that you get from the Seabuckthorn ( see previous post), ginger and turmeric add anti-inflammatory power, while honey offers antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities (and preserves).
Take a small shot daily or dilute with sparkling water 🌿✨
🔥 Seabuckthorn Fire Cider Recipe🔥
This one isn't for the faint of heart , but it delivers a PUNCH to the lurgies! 🌶️🌞
1 cup seabuckthorn berries
1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, sliced
1 thumb ginger, sliced
½ chilli (optional)
2 tbsp honey
Method
Add to a jar to infuse for 7–10 days
Strain
Store in the fridge (lasts 1–2 months).
💥 Why it’s good for you:
Seabuckthorn boosts vitamin C & antioxidants, while vinegar aids digestion and gut health. Garlic and ginger are natural antibacterials, and chilli gets circulation flowing to cleanse the system. Boom!
Take a spoonful neat (if you can handle it!), or mix with warm water for a fiery tonic 🌿✨
Elderberry tonic recipe:
And finally, as promised, my Elderberry tonic recipe. Get out there quick before all the birds eat them (but leave some for them too - obviously)!
Ingredients:
Three big fistfulls of Elderberries clusters (on the stems)
1 tsp of thyme ( fresh if poss )
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp of whole cloves
Large thumb of ginger
1/3 cup of Raw honey or Manuka honey
Cayenne pepper ( optional - but it's great if you have a chesty cold )
Cup of water (add a bit more if too thick)
Method:
Use a fork to satisfyingly comb the berries off the stems into a bowl. Rinse well.
Peel the ginger and cut into strips.
Add berries, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, thyme and water into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer for ten minutes with the lid on. (Include cayenne if you want a kick)
Once cooled enough to handle, strain through a fine sieve or use a muslin cloth bag.
Bring to the boil once again and then leave to cool off a bit. Add the honey whilst still warm enough for it to easily melt. This helps preserve the potion a bit longer and adds all the benefits of honey too.
Pour into sterilised jars and keep in the fridge for up to three weeks. Alternatively you can pour into ice cube trays and freeze into little portions which you can simply drop into a cup of hot water when needed.
I'd love to know how you get on with these and if you have any other recipes I should know about.
Happy foraging.
Much love
Polly xx
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