{"id":233474,"date":"2025-11-01T09:27:05","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T09:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=233474"},"modified":"2025-11-01T09:55:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T09:55:15","slug":"sea-buckthorn","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/sea-buckthorn\/","title":{"rendered":"Sea buckthorn"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":233495,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"ccf6dbce-0709-453c-ba4e-aec79dc4b112","beyondwords_preview_token":"aa0f8027-5f07-45fb-8fc4-5411a10674cd","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[],"conditions":[694,685,700],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[31,18],"western_action":[990,992,1823,993,994,1000,1001,1010,1013,1014,1024,1025],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1499,1498,1487,1379,1496,1492],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-233474","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","conditions-cardiovascular-system","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-skin","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-astringent-taste","sense-bitter","western_action-analgesic","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antihyperlipidemic","western_action-antimicrobial","western_action-antioxidant","western_action-astringent","western_action-bitter","western_action-expectorant","western_action-hepatic","western_action-hepatoprotective","western_action-vasodilator","western_action-vulnerary","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-hot","energetics_action-sour","energetics_action-toning","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20251025","herb_author":1932,"banner_text":"Sea buckthorn berries are antioxidant, tonic and nutritive","latin_name":"Hippophae rhamnoides<\/span><\/i>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Eleagnaceae","herb_summary":"The high vitamin and antioxidant content in the berries supports immunity and the ageing process. Sea buckthorn is hepatoprotective and benefits eye and blood vessel health.","key_benefits":"Antioxidant\r\nAntiaggregant\r\nNutritive\r\nRadioprotective\r\nAnti-inflammatory\r\nVulnerary\r\nPectoral\r\nAntiulcer","how_does_it_feel":"The bright orange berries are arranged in generous clusters but while they are attractive to look at, and stay well into winter on the branches, the taste has not encouraged widespread use in Britain in the past. Upon tasting the berries fresh from the bush or tree, their oily nature slightly masks the bitterness, which then lingers and is also evident in the juice. The dried berry powder is a bright yellowy orange and smells sweet, with a deceptive hint of demerara sugar. However, a little placed on the tongue feels slightly fizzy, while the taste reminds one of an acidic sherbet. <\/span>","hdif_image_1":233495,"hdif_image_2":233499,"hdif_image_3":233498,"hdif_video":"","sense":[31,18],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"[caption id=\"attachment_233497\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"512\"]\"Sea Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nSea buckthorn berries can be juiced or pulped to give a tart but delicious juice rich in vitamins. An oil rich in omegas 3,6, 7 and 9 fatty acids can also be made by cold pressing the seeds or pulp. These constituents, in addition to the flavonoids, make sea buckthorn particularly useful as a support against infections. Sea buckthorn partners well with <\/span>rosehips<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Rosa canina<\/span><\/i>) in autumn (1). The mixed powders are available to make tea or add to baking, muesli or smoothies. A tea made from sea buckthorn berries is rarely prescribed, however, due to the flavour profile (2). Over the past few years the berries have attracted a reputation as a nutritive superfood, being valued for their <\/span>antioxidant<\/span><\/a> effects and offering tonic support against the effects of <\/span>menopause<\/span><\/a> and ageing, including vaginal dryness and dry eyes (3).<\/span>\r\n\r\nSea buckthorn can be given as a long-term support for blood vessel walls and is antiaggregant and, therefore, offers protection against atherosclerosis (1). The herb has been used as an anti-inflammatory in gastrointestinal ulcers and for treating <\/span>coughs<\/span><\/a> by loosening and expectorating phlegm. The freshly pressed juice of the fruit is recommended as a treatment for colds, fevers and exhaustion due to the high content of vitamins which includes B1, B2, E and K, in addition to vitamin C (4).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe leaves are healing in wound applications, being rich in phenols and flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol (5). They also encourage regeneration of mucous membrane tissue by promoting collagen synthesis and keratinocyte proliferation (4).<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"","tradtional_uses":"[caption id=\"attachment_233499\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"516\"]\"Sea Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThere is no apparent traditional use of sea buckthorn in Britain, which is surprising as the berries have so much to offer both as a food and a medicine. It is most certainly a native plant with pollen records going back to the interglacial periods (6). In the 1824 Universal Herbal, Green refers to the berries being eaten by the Tartars and fishermen of the Gulf of Bothnia making a rob from them (7). This does not seem to have stimulated anyone to copy this idea in England, however. Perhaps the apparent reluctance of birds to strip the branches of the bright berries gave the idea that they were poisonous and this belief persisted in many places (8).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is even more surprising not to see medicinal use in old herbals. Often, the use of herbs follows through from Dioscorides\u2019 <\/span>De Materia Medica<\/span><\/i> and sea buckthorn can be found as <\/span>Ippophaes<\/span><\/i> with a very unlikely illustration in Dioscorides. In this text, the liquor from the root is described as purging choleric or watery matter and phlegm, downwards. A \u2018dragm\u2019 is recommended for purgations. There is no mention of using the berries and instead there is only mention of the flowers as those of grapes are described (9).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWidespread traditional use has, however, been recorded in the Himalayas. Sea buckthorn has also been used medicinally in Russia, China, India and Tibet for centuries. This traditional use has sparked eemodern interest and research resulting in a newfound enthusiasm in Western herbal medicine. Traditional use in Tibet goes back to the eighth century. The oily nature of the pulped berries was recognised as useful in treating sluggish, congested states with poor circulation and digestion, leading to low spirits. The sharp heat allocated to sea buckthorn berries is in the Tibetan humoral medicinal classification of \u201cTarbu\u201d, loosening phlegm and giving it an <\/span>expectorant<\/span><\/a> action (10).\u00a0<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"

\"CardiovascularCardiovascular system<\/h3>\r\nSea buckthorn is recorded as an antiaggregant and <\/span>cardiotonic<\/span><\/a> indicated for cardiopathy(11.) Formulations based on sea buckthorn have been developed for use in treating coronary heart disease as well as for support after a heart attack or stroke. It is suggested for improving blood circulation and restoring cardiac function (12). A significant cardiac benefit may come from the antioxidant properties of sea buckthorn which, when taken regularly over time, may act by inhibiting the formation of atherosclerotic plaques\u00a0 (1,13).<\/span>\r\n

Digestive system<\/h3>\r\nSea buckthorn has been used in trials successfully for conventional treatments of gastric ulcers by controlling inflammation and preventing injury to the gastric wall. The antioxidant and <\/span>anti-inflammatory<\/span><\/a> action activity is important in treating gastric ulcers, and coupled with its antibacterial action can be applied to treat <\/span>H. pylori<\/span><\/i> (12).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Reproductive system<\/h3>\r\nSea buckthorn has been used traditionally in supporting uterine health and has a reputation for easing vaginal dryness by supporting mucous membrane tone as a result of the high levels of omega-7 fatty acids (palmitoleic acid), along with omega-6, omega-9 fatty acids, carotenoids, and tocopherols (vitamin E). . Research is ongoing but largely <\/span>in vitro<\/span><\/i> at present (3).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Skin health<\/h3>\r\nSea buckthorn is indicated for treating dermatosis, ulcers, sunburn, wounds and infected skin<\/span> (11).<\/span> Experiments and clinical trials support use in wound healing. The oil is widely used in treating burns, scalds, ulcerated and infected skin. The seed oil works by decreasing inflammation, increasing circulation, increasing tissue regeneration and improving immunity. The oils are helpful against skin ageing as they promote skin elasticity and hydration (12).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Eye health\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\nSea buckthorn is classed as ophthalmic and the herb oil is one of the more popular supports when taken as a supplement in capsule form for dry eyes (11). The oil may also contribute to supporting the microcirculation in the eyes(1). Vitamins A and E present in sea buckthorn also help to support eyesight and vision (5).\u00a0<\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_233501\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"517\"]\"Sea Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThere has been considerable research with many studies on sea buckthorn in recent years. The effectiveness of sea buckthorn in cancer therapy has been established in animals, but detailed clinical studies are needed to validate the effects and mechanism of action in human beings living with cancer (12).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Radioprotective properties of Hippophae rhamnoides<\/span><\/h3>\r\nAn<\/span> in vivo<\/span><\/i> controlled study using eight-week-old male mice was undertaken to investigate the possible protective effects of sea buckthorn berries against high dose radiation causing acute intestinal injury in mice. One group of mice was subjected to total body X-ray irradiation while the control group was not. Each of these groups was again divided into three to enable testing comparison of a 10 mg\/g\/day dose of sea buckthorn pulp oil, seed oil, or control olive oil. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe third group were treated with saline for seven days before radiation. Survival time with the olive oil group was 4.5 days. With the seed oil and pulp oil groups it was 8 and 10 days, respectively. Early death in the saline group was mainly from severe intestinal oedema and necrosis.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIntestinal tissues were harvested 72 hours after radiation and prepared for complex testing. Although pretreatment with sea buckthorn oil did not prevent mouse death from high-dose radiation, both the pulp oil and seed oil prolonged the survival time of the mice and reduced their weight loss. While not relieving the reduction of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, the pretreatment of sea buckthorn oil did attenuate the radiation-induced acute intestinal injuries.<\/span>\r\n\r\n It was concluded that the increase in survival time was due to a reduction in acute intestinal injuries and acute inflammation. Two unsaturated fatty acids, PLA and ALA, might be the potential radiation countermeasure candidates for clinical radiation-associated intestinal injury management and further research into intestinal radiation protection is warranted. This study shows promise for sea buckthorn oil protecting from the effects of radiation, and clinical trials on human subjects would be beneficial to further explore its potential (14).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Effect of sea buckthorn on liver fibrosis: A clinical study<\/span><\/h3>\r\nA clinical study on the effects of sea buckthorn on liver cirrhosis was carried out with 50 patients aged between 20 and 50. They had varying causes of cirrhosis and elevated levels of at least two of the following \u2014 serum collagen types III and IV, laminin or hyaluronic acid. They were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was given 15 g of sea buckthorn in the form of tablets three times a day for six months. The second group received vitamin-B complex.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe benefits of the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene and unsaturated fatty acids in the sea buckthorn produced significant results with remarkable changes in the AST and ALT after treatment. The rate of normalization in the sea buckthorn group was 80%. In the control group it was 56%. Serum laminin, serum collagen types III and IV, and hyaluronic acid and total bile acid were decreased in the sea buckthorn group when compared with the control patients. This indicates sea buckthorn may restrain the synthesis of collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix. The sea buckthorn shortened the time for normalisation of aminotransferases. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe conclusion was that sea buckthorn may be a hopeful drug for prevention and treatment of liver cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B, alcohol consumption or metabolic disorders. More clinical trials are indicated (15).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_233496\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"548\"]\"Sea Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n

Effect of seabuckthorn seed oil in reducing cardiovascular risk factors: A longitudinal controlled trial on hypertensive subjects<\/span><\/h3>\r\nA randomised, controlled, double blind study on the effects of daily supplementation of sea buckthorn seed oil for 32 normal and 74 hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic human subjects sought to establish whether this could affect cardiovascular risk factors. These factors were identified as hypertension and high cholesterol. Supplementation was given at a dose of 0.75 ml sea buckthorn seed oil or sunflower oil over a period of 30 days.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt was found that cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced in those subjects where cholesterol was high and hypertension was also reduced. For normal subjects, there was a less pronounced result, but for both the circulatory antioxidant status was improved. These successful results were attributed to fatty acids in the oil and the presence of beta carotene and vitamin E (16).<\/span>\r\n

Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn (<\/span>Hippopha\u00eb rhamnoides<\/span><\/i>) seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis<\/span><\/h3>\r\nThe effects of supplementation of oil from the seed and pulped fruits of sea buckthorn were researched in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on atopic dermatitis. Fourty-nine patients were enrolled in the study which took place over a period of four months. Patients were given either seed oil, pulp oil or paraffin oil daily. After one month of taking the pulp oil supplement, there was a slight improvement in symptoms correlated with an\u00a0 increase in proportions of alpha-linolenic acid in plasma phospholipids. There was also slight improvement in the dermatitis of those taking paraffin oil. Those in the seed oil group had no significant improvement (17). <\/span>","did_you_know":"Genghis Khan is reputed to have been so successful in his campaigns because his men fed their Mongolian horses sea buckthorn. A veterinary product has now been developed from the herb (18).<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":233506},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Sea buckthorn is often found on the coast as a thorny shrub and grows to between 1\u201310 m high.\u00a0 Since it has the ability to spread by suckers, it has been planted in some areas to support sand dunes or prevent soil from erosion. The leaves are narrow, resembling willow but with silvery scales on the under surface when young. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe greenish flowers are tiny and difficult to see, appearing on the previous year\u2019s growth. <\/span>Male flowers have a shorter tube and larger sepals than the female and they are borne on separate trees. One male tree is sufficient to pollinate 4\u20136 females, which then produce the bright orange berries. These cluster closely together around the branches and will remain <\/span>in situ<\/span><\/i> throughout the winter months (1,18).\u00a0<\/span>","common_names":"