Ancient Remedy, Modern Revival
For over 4,000 years, elderberry has been revered as a natural remedy for boosting immunity and preventing illness. Now, this ancient botanical is experiencing a renaissance.
Dr. Catie, AKA Dr. Appleseed, the founder Dr. Appleseed’s Organic Elderberry Immune Supplements, was hiking in the California mountains when she stumbled upon a thriving grove of native blue elderberry bushes. Abundant with clusters of deep purple berries, these resilient plants were flourishing in the intense heat and drought. Dr. Appleseed recognized the combination of prolific berry production, elderberry’s vital role as a keystone native species, sustaining local wildlife and pollinators as well as the potential of a drought tolerant, native berry producer within regenerative organic agriculture. Despite elderberry's ancient medicinal heritage and modern scientific validation, this super-berry has yet to be widely cultivated in the United States. Dr. Appleseed made it her mission to change that, launching Dr. Appleseed's with a simple yet revolutionary concept - source organic elderberries directly from American farmers to create potent immune-boosting extracts.
From Berry to Bottle: An Artisanal Approach
At Dr. Appleseed's, every step from harvest to formulation is a labor of love and environmental stewardship. They partner exclusively with USDA certified organic elderberry growers, many of whom are pioneering the cultivation of this low-maintenance, drought-resistant perennial. The ripe berries are hand-picked at peak ripeness, then promptly cold-pressed to extract their concentrated nutrition while retaining maximum potency. This artisanal process gently preserves the berries' dense concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and anthocyanins - the powerful plant pigments that give elderberries their rich purple hue. With organic real maple syrup as the only sweetener and zero additives or preservatives, Dr. Appleseed's tart, tangy elixirs let the full flavor and efficacy of the berries shine through. Each batch is meticulously crafted by hand in Dr. Appleseed’s organic kitchen using techniques adapted from both traditional herbal wisdom and modern food science.
Small but mighty roots.
Dr. Appleseed first found wild elderberry while hiking in the California mountains and immediately became invested in learning as much as she could about the benefits of the berry.
From making small batches for friends, to selling in farmer’s markets, to today where products are sold in every Whole Foods in Northern California.
Dr. Appleseed has grown slowly and sustainably. Production has always been centered around meticulous quality control learned by titans in the wellness industry and continues to set the bar to how purity can be retained.
Our products are made from fresh, organic berries only. No dried, powdered or imported berries are used in our products. A difference you can taste.
Dr. Appleseed's products are truly small batch. They can count on one hand the number of people who handle their products.
Sustaining the Circle of Life
Dr. Appleseed's mission extends far beyond creating premium wellness products. At its core, the company is dedicated to regenerating native plant ecosystems and preserving the cultural heritage surrounding this ancient botanical. Through their sister non-profit’s Earth Initiatives program, they have donated over 780 elderberry plants to farms, restoration projects, home gardeners, and the cultural conservancy. These efforts help re-establish pollinator corridors, nurture biodiversity, and ensure a renewable supply of elderberries for generations to come. "We're not just extracting for human benefit, we're promoting the health of the entire ecosystem," explains Dr. Appleseed.
"Elderberry is a keystone species that feeds wildlife, enriches soil, and supports our everyday wellness. By cultivating it sustainably, we can bring this ancient remedy into modern times while restoring native landscapes."
Dr. Appleseed’s provides online resources to empower people to grow their own elderberry gardens using effective propagation methods. For Dr. Appleseed's, conservation is at the heart of their business model. "Taking care of the plants that take care of us is what we call whole ecosystem care," says Dr. Catie. "We're reconnecting people with the ancient ways of integrating ourselves within the ecology of our local environment."
A Bright Future Rooted in the Past
With the effects of climate change intensifying, drought-hardy perennial crops like elderberry could play a pivotal role in building a resilient, regenerative food system. Dr. Appleseed's is leading the way, partnering with visionary organizations like the California Native Seed Project to expand elderberry cultivation. "The historical use of native elderberry suggests it is of high therapeutic value," notes Dr. Catie. "Growing it in its native habitat presents an opportunity for regenerative and organic farmers. With its drought tolerance, abundant yield, and benefits for local fauna, blue elderberry is a plant ripe for an agricultural resurgence." By making this bee friendly and pollinator-friendly keystone species more widely available, Dr. Appleseed's can help satisfy growing demand for medicinal elderberry products while promoting biodiversity and creating economic opportunities rooted in environmental stewardship. From the ancient folk remedies to the modern supplement aisle, elderberry's journey has come full circle with Dr. Appleseed's. With every bottle, they not only deliver potent immune support, but also a revitalized connection to nature's wisdom and rhythms. It's a holistic approach to wellness that harmonizes traditional knowledge with contemporary science and sustainable sourcing. As Dr. Appleseed puts it,
"We're thinking across time - making ancient remedies available, promoting native plant cultivation, and creating pollinator corridors. We want to give the bees, wildlife, and endangered species a place to thrive, because their well-being is inseparable from our own.”