Seabuckthorn berries contain 14 vitamins, carotene, unsaturated fatty acids and flavonoids.
Although seabuckthorn has been slow to gain recognition in North America, Betty Forbes is excited about the potential the shrub has to offer consumers and growers. Forbes is president of Northern Vigor Berries Inc. and manages as seabuckthorn orchard near Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
In India, China, Russia and Europe the shrub has been valued for centuries for its nutritious fruit, and the leaves and seeds for their cosmetic and medicinal properties. In Canada, it’s only been within the last five to 10 years that the fruit is finding a niche in the marketplace.
Seabuckthorn berries contain 14 vitamins, carotene, unsaturated fatty acids and flavonoids. There are 27 trace elements present in the berries, leaves and seeds. “The berries contain b-sitosterol, which is known to prevent cardiovascular disease. The oil contains several essential fatty acids, including omega-3, omega-6, omega-9, as well as high levels of the rare omega-7, which has been clinically proven to help mucus linings of the body. Recent studies also show it (omega-7) may help fight weight gain,” adds Forbes, who has attended international seabuckthorn conferences in Quebec, India and Germany. Research at the University of Turku in Finland shows that components in the berries and oil act as antioxidants, and have an effect on inflammation.
The leaves contain protein, carotenoids, tocopherols, flavonoids, and polyphenols. “In a recent study at the University of Saskatchewan, the leaves were found to be more nutrient-dense than the berries. Scientists in Russia have worked extensively with the leaves and found they help to boost the immune system. They encapsulate the leaves and use them to help those recovering from surgery. Studies in India conclude the leaves help reduce the stress levels and improve the recovery rate of soldiers working at high altitudes and low temperatures,” Forbes adds.
Forbes’ involvement with seabuckthorn began in 1998 when her family planted a 15-acre orchard on the family farm. However, seven years later, due to a number of challenges with harvesting, processing and marketing, her father wanted to plow up the orchard. He felt the market here in Canada wasn’t ready for this little-known fruit. Forbes, however, wanted to give it another chance. She gave up her teaching job and turned her attention full time to harvesting and promoting the fruit. With some Dr. Oz programs featuring seabuckthorn and particularly the omega-7 found in the pulp, the berry received some much-needed publicity.
When Betty Forbes’ father threatened to plow up a 15-acre orchard of seabuckthorn Betty quit her teaching job and turned her attention full time to harvesting and promoting the fruit.
Still, it’s been an uphill battle for Forbes. One of the biggest challenges with the crop is harvesting. The branches are thorny and brittle. Therefore the most efficient way to harvest the fruit is to cut out the fruiting branches, freezing them overnight in a -30 C. refrigerator truck, and knocking off the berries the next day. This ‘pruning’ does not harm the plant — between 50 and 70 per cent of the branches with berries can be removed, Forbes says. “In fact, it is good to remove the branches, particularly from the centre of the plant to allow in more light. The berries grow on second-year growth, so if not pruned, the berries could grow out of reach.”
“It’s a huge job cleaning the fruit,” Forbes says. Much of the work is done by hand. Many of the cleaned berries are shipped to various locations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba to be processed into products she sells at the farmers markets as well as into retail markets such as the SaskMade Store in Saskatoon, Alternate Root Organics in Moose Jaw and Dad’s Organic Market in Saskatoon and Regina. Under the brand name Nvigorate, she sells a variety of products made from the tangy tropical tasting berries, including purees, juices, syrup, jam, vinegar, gelato (“to die for” Forbes adds) and soap. A large amount of the fruit makes its way into the culinary industry in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but it has gone as far as Massachusetts.
Under the brand name Nvigorate, Betty Forbes sells a variety of products made from the tangy tropical tasting berries, including purees, juices, syrup, jam, vinegar, gelato and soap.
Maintaining a consistent supply of berries and locating markets are two additional challenges facing Forbes. Always optimistic, she hopes to have her own facility in the near future so all her production can be coordinated in one location. “The possibilities are endless. There is a growing demand for seabuckthorn oil used in skin-care products, so in the future we will be producing that to a greater extent. We’re always looking for other ingredients to combine with seabuckthorn to give it even more power.”
Seabuckthorn is a hardy shrub that will tolerate extreme cold, marginal soil and salt spray, butdoes require sunny conditions to thrive. It grows to between 2 – 4 metres in height, and fixes its own nitrogen from the atmosphere. The plant has been used to prevent soil erosion as well as for land reclamation, wildlife habitat enhancement and farm shelterbelt protection. A ratio of one male to seven female plants is required for pollination. Female shrubs begin to produce fruit about four years after planting. They are in their peak production in their seventh or eighth year and will remain productive for about 30 years if pruned regularly.
Seabuckthorn grows to between 2 – 4 metres in height. The plant has been used to prevent soil erosion as well as for land reclamation, wildlife habitat enhancement and farm shelterbelt protection.
Seabuckthorn suckers extensively, so it is not for small city gardens, Forbes cautions. “Your neighbours might not be happy to have it move into their yards.”
Most growers, including Forbes, grow the fruit organically. “We never use any chemicals, so it made sense to become certified. So far we’ve not had any problems with insects or disease. There’s a growing sector in the marketplace looking for foods without chemicals, and I feel it’s important to provide a product people can trust.”
For more information visit www.nvigorate.ca.
- Edna Manning