Sea Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn is a small shrub that grows commonly in the North-West Himalayas and is also called the holy fruit of Himalayas. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in India and China, and it is also mentioned in Ayurveda.

Sea Buckthorn Health Benefits

Excellent Source of Antioxidants and Micronutrients

Sea Buckthorn is an excellent source of antioxidants and micronutrients and because of this, it means that it can help in various health conditions. Even healthy adults can use Sea Buckthorn as a natural source of micronutrients. High antioxidant content means that it can help fight chronic ailments. Sea Buckthorn is one of the rich sources of vitamin C, E, B1, B2, B6, and folate. It is also abundant in many minerals, more specifically potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorus. It is also rich in high quality polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Sea Buckthorn is perhaps among very few plant foods that have all the vital omega acids, that is omega-3, omega-6, omega-7, and omega-9.¹
Good for Heart Health

Sea Buckthorn can be good for heart health due to its high content of micronutrients and omega fatty acids. Studies show that it may reduce platelet aggregation, and thus may lower the risk of clot formation and heart attack. A meta-analysis of various trials also indicates that Sea Buckthorn may help lower cholesterol levels and therefore have an antiatherogenic effect. Interestingly enough, studies show that Sea Buckthorn is more effective in lowering bad cholesterol in people with poor health than in healthy subjects.²^,³
Diabetes Prevention

Studies show that diabetes is incurable and rarely reversible. Therefore, it is suggested that a better strategy is to prevent the condition and take measures as early as possible in high-risk individuals. Studies show that use of Sea Buckthorn may help control blood glucose spikes and may help prevent insulin resistance.⁴
Skin Health

Sea Buckthorn oil can be applied to the skin, and therefore it has both cosmetic and remedial value. Researchers think that it is suitable for skin health due to its content of fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-7. It seems to protect skin from UV exposure, have moisturising effects, and improve skin elasticity. Sea Buckthorn may also stimulate skin regeneration, and therefore may accelerate wound healing.⁵
Boosts Immunity and Helps Fight Infections

Studies confirm that Sea Buckthorn may help boost immunity due to its high content of antioxidants and other phytocompounds. It may help increase resistance to various illnesses. Studies also show that Sea Buckthorn has a direct antimicrobial effect. This means that it can inhibit bacterial growth and may even prevent viral replications. It may also increase the body’s resistance towards infections like influenza, herpes, and so on.⁶
Liver Supporting

Studies show that Sea Buckthorn is suitable for both preventing and managing liver diseases. This may help due to the levels of vitamin E, carotenoids, and other phytocompounds found in Sea Buckthorn. Studies also show that it can considerably improve biomarkers of liver function. Within a few weeks, it can lower liver enzyme levels, and improve the lipid profile. Researchers have tested the use of Sea Buckthorn in real-life conditions, in patients diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver disease, and it works better than placebo.⁷

Researchers are testing Sea buckthorn for many health conditions including but not limited to improving digestion, menopause symptoms, dry eyes, inflammation, and depression.

Side Effects of Sea Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn seems to be relatively safe for prolonged use. It does not cause adverse effects apart from sporadic allergic reactions or gastrointestinal disturbances. Toxicity studies show that even at very high doses, it has no severe adverse effects.⁸

Properties

Anti-Bacterial⁶
Anti-Haemorrhagic²^,⁶
Anti-Inflammatory¹
Antimicrobial⁶
Antioxidant¹
Antiviral⁶
Blood Tonic¹^,2,⁶
Cholesterol²^,³
Depression⁶
Diabetes / Blood Sugar⁴
Digestive Function⁶
Eye Health⁶
Heart Support / Health²^,³
High/Good Levels of B Vitamins¹^,⁶
High/Good Levels of Calcium¹
High/Good Levels of Folate¹^,⁶
High/Good Levels of Iron¹^,⁶
High/Good Levels of Magnesium¹
High/Good Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids¹^,²^,³^,⁵
High/Good Levels of Phosphorous¹
High/Good Levels of Phytochemicals / Phytocompounds¹
High/Good Levels of Potassium¹
High/Good Levels of Vitamin C¹
High/Good Levels of Vitamin E¹^,7
Immune Booster⁶
Liver Health⁷
Menopause⁶
Skin Issues⁵

References