…from the Health-Body-Soul blog
With more than 190 bioactive substances, sea buckthorn and its orange berries are one of the most impressive plants nature has to offer for our health. Its vitamin C content alone exceeds that of citrus fruits by up to ten times. Sea buckthorn is the ideal superfood for supporting your immune system, protecting your cells from oxidative stress, and reducing tiredness and fatigue. Blogger Mag. Sandra M. Exl has taken a closer look at this superfood on her Health-Body-Soul blog.
In accordance with our SANDICCA principle, researching and compiling knowledge about the effects of sea buckthorn, you can read more about this in the Health-Body-Soul blog.
https://gesundheit-koerper-seele.com/sanddorn-wirkungsweise-gesundheit-fruchtfleisch
Sea buckthorn is rightly considered a traditional remedy that has been used medicinally for thousands of years.
The term “superfood” has become firmly established in recent years. It is mainly used for exotic foods with a high content of vitamins, minerals and secondary plant compounds (antioxidants). Well-known superfoods include chia seeds, goji and acai berries, matcha tea and many more. Such nutrient powerhouses can certainly benefit our health and beauty, but do they always have to be exotic plants from the other end of the world? Of course not.
We have powerful plants right here that can easily hold their own in a comparison of nutrients with exotic varieties. These include linseed, bilberries, rose hips, many wild herbs and, of course, native sea buckthorn, which we would like to introduce in more detail here.
Sea buckthorn – distribution and botany
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) belongs to the oleaster family and is also commonly called pheasant berry, Haff thorn or sea thorn. Originally from Nepal, sea buckthorn is now found throughout almost all of Asia, while its European distribution extends from France to the Caucasus. Today, the leading cultivation areas include France, China and Germany. In Austria, organic sea buckthorn gardens have been established in the Joglland mountain region of Styria, where around 6,000 shrubs are currently cultivated. The deciduous, thorn-covered shrub grows up to 5 metres tall and develops a very extensive root system. For healthy growth, it mainly needs plenty of sunlight, well-aerated, sandy and preferably nutrient-poor soils. Drought, heat and frost are no problem for this survivor.
Sea buckthorn is dioecious, meaning that female and male flowers are found separately on different shrubs, and pollination mainly occurs via the wind. The fruits are yellow to orange-red, 6–8 mm in size and botanically classified as false berries or false drupes. Incidentally, harvesting outside your own garden is prohibited, as sea buckthorn is a protected species.
Sea buckthorn – fruit harvesting
Between the beginning of August and the beginning of December (depending on the region), the female sea buckthorn produces numerous fruits. The ripe berries are very sensitive to pressure, so picking them by hand can be difficult. They are harvested either by knocking the fruits off the shoots or by cutting off entire fruit-bearing branches. These are then flash-frozen, allowing the berries to be shaken off the branches relatively easily. The harvested fruits can be stored at – 18 °C without any problems, but otherwise must be processed immediately, as oxidation processes occur at room temperature. Due to the berries’ relatively high fat content, they can quickly become rancid.
Constituents of the sea buckthorn berry
Sea buckthorn is primarily known for its unusually high vitamin C content. Depending on the variety, this ranges from 150 to 900 mg per 100 g of fruit pulp and is many times higher than that of citrus fruits. Among native fruits, only rose hips can match these vitamin C levels. However, there are many other substances that make the orange berry an exceptional superfood:
Sea buckthorn is, for example, a good source of valuable B vitamins – including vitamin B12, which otherwise occurs in significant quantities in very few plant-based foods.
The beta-carotene content, a precursor to vitamin A, is higher than that of carrots. Sea buckthorn berries also provide us with plenty of vitamin E, high-quality unsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids and numerous minerals.
The most important constituents at a glance
- Vitamin C: protects cells from oxidative stress, supports the immune system and energy metabolism, reduces fatigue, promotes iron absorption and contributes to collagen formation;
- B-vitamin complex: all B vitamins perform important functions in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism; overall, they stimulate metabolism and are important for blood formation and cell division; they are also so-called free-radical scavengers, and some support the nervous system as well;
- Vitamin E: is an antioxidant; it supports the immune system, is involved in collagen formation, promotes skin regeneration and regulates the blood sugar level;
- Beta-carotene: is an antioxidant and the precursor to vitamin A; it strengthens eyesight, promotes the skin’s protection against UV radiation, and is important for reproduction, growth and our immune defences;
- Vitamin K: is important for bone strength and contributes to normal blood clotting;
- Iron: is a component of the blood pigment haemoglobin and is partly responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood;
- Zinc: strengthens the immune system, has an antiviral effect and promotes cell division; it is also of great importance during growth;
- Magnesium: is important for muscle function and the nervous system; it has an anti-inflammatory effect, contributes to reducing fatigue, and also helps maintain bones and teeth;
- Potassium: contributes to maintaining normal blood pressure and normal muscular and neuronal cell functions; it regulates the body’s water balance and is important for normal heart function;
- Calcium: important for strengthening bones and teeth;
- Cobalt: promotes the growth of red blood cells;
- Manganese: protects cells from oxidative stress, contributes to normal energy metabolism and connective tissue formation; promotes the body’s own detoxification processes and is important for maintaining bones;
- Copper: promotes enzyme and blood formation and contributes to the normal function of the cardiovascular system;
- Flavonoids: are antioxidants and have antiviral and antibacterial effects;
- high-quality unsaturated fatty acids: support the function of cell membranes, are involved in cell division and are essential for the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system; they also have anti-inflammatory and regeneration-promoting effects (especially omega-7 and omega-3 fatty acids);
- essential amino acids: are the building blocks of proteins;
- tannins: have an astringent, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect;
Sea buckthorn can be integrated into your diet or used specifically as a food supplement. Due to their strongly sour taste, the berries are only suitable for consumption to a limited extent in their pure form. Sea buckthorn tea, sea buckthorn juice or sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil are easier to consume; the latter can be taken pure or stirred into smoothies or muesli.
Sea buckthorn – use of fruit pulp, seeds and leaves
Sea buckthorn is available in pharmacies, drugstores, health food stores and natural food shops in a wide variety of preparations for both internal and external use. The berries, including their fruit pulp and seeds, as well as the leaves of the shrub are processed.
Sea buckthorn juice
As direct juice or mother juice, you can buy the unsweetened 100% juice of the sea buckthorn berry. It is yellow, thick and has the typical sour sea buckthorn flavour. To preserve the juice, it is pasteurised, meaning it is heated; nevertheless, a single glass of high-quality sea buckthorn mother juice (200 millilitres) contains around 560 milligrams of vitamin C, which already corresponds to 560% of the recommended daily amount! Sea buckthorn juice is very often blended with honey or sugar or mixed with sweet fruit juices to refine its flavour. There are also other preparations of the sea buckthorn berry: sea buckthorn elixir, sea buckthorn purée or fruit sauce, as well as jam and dragees. In this context, the fruity flavour of thermally untreated, unheated sea buckthorn juice is completely unknown; when prepared according to the appropriate method and recipe, and depending on the sea buckthorn variety, it develops a flavour unlike typical sea buckthorn, reminiscent of apricot and passion fruit. Children in particular love it. Further down, under “Buying sea buckthorn products”, you can find out more about it.
Sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil
The fruit pulp of sea buckthorn, like that of olives, is quite oily. This allows the valuable sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil to be extracted. It is thin and has an intense orange-red colour. It has the typical taste and smell of sea buckthorn without tasting sour. It is valued above all for its high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and its large quantities of carotenoids and vitamin E. Thus, the oil from the fruit pulp is superior to oil from the seeds in terms of its active constituents and is used as a food supplement and in natural cosmetics.
Sea buckthorn seed oil
Sea buckthorn seed oil is extracted from the seeds of sea buckthorn berries and is also very rich in healthy unsaturated fatty acids. However, its carotenoid and vitamin E content is significantly lower than that of sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil, making it rather unstable. For this reason, seed oil is often mixed with sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil to make it more shelf-stable. Its particularly high omega-3 fatty acid content is outstanding, making it a vegan, locally sourced alternative to fish oils.
Sea buckthorn as a leaf extract
The leaves of the sea buckthorn shrub are accepted as a tea preparation in Finland and, since 2017, also in Austria. However, in all other EU countries and Switzerland, sea buckthorn leaves are subject to the Novel Food Regulation and may not be marketed as food or food supplements. Scientific studies nevertheless show that the leaf extracts have considerable health potential. The leaves contain large quantities of antioxidants, including vitamin E and beta-carotene.
Sea buckthorn leaf extract has been shown in animal studies to increase endurance performance and suppress appetite, even in severely overweight animals. The extract can also support weight reduction. In cosmetics, leaf extracts with polyphenol contents of between 18 and 55% showed clear antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
Where can I buy high-quality sea buckthorn products?
Given the abundance of valuable ingredients they contain, sea buckthorn products are particularly beneficial for the human organism and should only be purchased in high quality—ideally directly from the sea buckthorn producer. When buying sea buckthorn pulp oil and sea buckthorn seed oil in particular, make sure they are 100% pure, naturally obtained, virgin oils, undiluted and without additives, and that they come from certified organic cultivation. Mixed sea buckthorn oils are often available on the market and are diluted with lower-quality oils. In the case of sea buckthorn pulp oil, for example, the indication of cold pressing is an indicator that it is a mixture of sea buckthorn pulp oil and sea buckthorn pomace oil. Virgin sea buckthorn pulp oil, on the other hand, is obtained solely by gently separating the pulp and fruit juice and therefore corresponds to the highest product quality. In Austria, there is a sea buckthorn producer whose cultivation area is located in Styria, in the Joglland mountain region. This organic company is called SANDICCA and, in addition to virgin sea buckthorn pulp oil*, also produces various sea buckthorn tea blends*. As mentioned above, there is a fresh, completely thermally untreated sea buckthorn elixir that is used as a dietary supplement. SANDICCA produces this elixir (Bio Sanddorn Frische Elixier +C*) using a patented process—it is stirred cold and never heated.
This means that the sea buckthorn’s ingredients remain almost completely intact, have particularly high bioavailability, and also taste exceptionally fruity. Taken as a 7-day course, it offers a range of health benefits, which you can read about below.
Sea buckthorn for health
This combination of active ingredients makes the sea buckthorn berry a valuable contribution to human health. Our ancestors already used it as a tonic to strengthen their immune defenses. In traditional Tibetan medicine, the berries, as well as the flowers and leaves of sea buckthorn, have been used for thousands of years to increase vitality and treat skin diseases, among other things.
Research into the ingredients and traditional uses of sea buckthorn has shown that the berries have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cell-protective, and liver-protective properties, strengthen the immune system, help with stress, and contribute to tissue regeneration.
Sea buckthorn in folk medicine
In traditional folk medicine, sea buckthorn is used in the following areas (externally and internally):
- Stimulating the immune system
- Defense against infections and colds
- Treatment of inflammation and ulcers
- Treatment of stomach and intestinal complaints
- Relief of heartburn
- Use in cases of liver damage
- Treatment of Candida albicans
- Increased performance: treatment of exhaustion, fatigue, and vitamin deficiency
- Lowering elevated blood lipids and treating arteriosclerosis
- Treatment of skin conditions such as acne, neurodermatitis, eczema, sunburn, rashes, etc.
- Support for allergies, asthma, and bronchitis
- Promoting wound healing
- Treatment of radiation damage
- Help with dry eyes
- Supporting the cardiovascular system
- Relief of muscle soreness and tension
- Treatment of periodontosis and bleeding gums
Sea buckthorn in medicine
Some of the effects known from traditional medicine have since also been scientifically demonstrated. Numerous studies on sea buckthorn focus on the antioxidant potential of the berries and leaves. According to current data, this antioxidant effect of sea buckthorn in particular is probably responsible for numerous positive effects on our health.
Immune system
Anti-inflammatory effect
The ingredients in sea buckthorn can reduce inflammatory processes in the body and strengthen the body’s own defenses. Various important messenger substances involved in inflammatory processes are beneficially influenced. In addition, taking sea buckthorn preparations can be observed to increase the number and improve the effectiveness of immune cells in the blood. Stress hormones such as cortisol also decrease, allowing inflammation in the body to be combated more effectively. The immune system can therefore be actively supported through regular and preventive intake of sea buckthorn, e.g. in the form of direct juice, pulp oil, tea made from fruits and leaves, elixirs, and fruit purée.
Antibacterial and antiviral effect
Various ingredients in sea buckthorn fruits and leaves have antibacterial and antiviral effects and can thus support the organism in defending against infections. One of the antibacterial substances in sea buckthorn is the alkane n-hexane. In experiments, a sea buckthorn extract based on n-hexane was even able to combat the multidrug-resistant pathogen MRSA. Sea buckthorn leaves also contain the active ingredient hyporamine, which has a strong antiviral effect and can support the body, for example, in combating influenza and herpes viruses.
Digestive complaints
A Chinese study in 2013 involving 120 children with functional dyspepsia showed that administering sea buckthorn extract not only accelerated gastric emptying but also resulted in the children eating more and consequently developing better. In addition, taking sea buckthorn pulp oil can relieve heartburn and reduce the production of stomach acid. The oil can also stimulate intestinal peristalsis and thus be an effective remedy for constipation.
Furthermore, the ingredients in sea buckthorn can have a soothing effect on the intestinal mucosa and thus relieve intestinal inflammation and the associated pain.
Kidney health
In patients suffering from nephrotic syndrome, administering sea buckthorn extract can improve various symptoms. One study showed that the inflammatory markers in the blood improved and protein excretion in the urine could be reduced in those affected. Symptoms such as reduced urination, water retention, and loss of appetite also decreased.
Animal studies also showed that an extract from sea buckthorn leaves can protect the kidneys from harmful influences, such as toxins produced by mold fungi.
Overweight and blood lipid levels
In animal studies, daily intake of 500 mg of sea buckthorn extract led to reduced food intake and consequently less weight gain.
A human study produced similar results: In overweight people, taking sea buckthorn pulp oil or dried fruit was found to reduce blood lipid levels, cholesterol levels, and waist circumference. Among other things, sea buckthorn appears to suppress the feeling of hunger in overweight people (and animals).
Heart health and blood pressure
A preparation made from sea buckthorn flavonoids demonstrated benefits in the treatment of patients with high blood pressure in a human study. For example, the flavonoids isorhamnetin and quercetin it contained showed a protective effect on heart function and improved blood circulation. These flavonoids also lower blood pressure without causing an increase in stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. Sea buckthorn can therefore contribute to protecting the blood vessels and preventing arteriosclerosis by lowering blood pressure and blood lipids.
Liver health
Studies suggest that sea buckthorn leaf extract in particular has a liver-protective effect. It can prevent liver damage or promote healing processes in cases of pre-existing disease. The antioxidants contained in sea buckthorn leaves are believed to be responsible for protecting and improving the regeneration of liver cells.
Sea buckthorn extract also seems to achieve good results in cases of fatty liver. Even when consuming high amounts of dietary fat, animal studies showed a reduction in liver cell damage when sea buckthorn was taken at the same time. Even in cases of pre-existing liver cirrhosis, taking sea buckthorn extract was able to lead to a more rapid improvement in liver values.
Sea Buckthorn for Diabetes
The properties of sea buckthorn clearly indicate that it can have an extremely beneficial effect on diabetes. For example, a 2015 study showed that sea buckthorn juice can improve carbohydrate metabolism and also have a beneficial effect on pancreatic tissue. To investigate the effects of sea buckthorn juice on type 2 diabetes, mice with diabetes were given pure sea buckthorn juice for 10 weeks. The results were impressive:
On the one hand, treatment with sea buckthorn juice reduced food intake and thus weight gain. The juice also regulated blood sugar and improved glucose tolerance. Smaller studies involving humans also clearly point to the beneficial effect of sea buckthorn on diabetes.
Sea Buckthorn for Cancer Prevention
There are promising in vitro experiments on human leukemia cells showing that sea buckthorn extract is capable of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. These effects were also observed in experiments with mice bearing lung tumors. It may therefore be assumed that sea buckthorn extract may have a cancer-preventive effect under certain circumstances. However, this still requires further investigation.
Sea Buckthorn for the Skin
The use of sea buckthorn for skin complaints has a long tradition, and its positive effects are also well documented by human studies. The nutrient-rich sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil is used above all for this purpose. In addition to being taken internally, the oil promotes wound healing when applied externally and can prevent wound infections. It can be applied to the skin undiluted: simply dab approximately 3 drops of the oil onto the affected areas 2 to 3 times a day or, where possible, massage it in. To generally strengthen the skin’s resistance and increase the moisture content of healthy skin, it is best to apply the oil in the evening, as it has an intense orange color. However, this can easily be washed off. Sea buckthorn oil can also be mixed in a ratio of 1:10 with a neutral oil such as argan, almond, or olive oil, which are also good oils for the skin.
A mixture of sea buckthorn oil and St. John’s wort oil has proven effective for neurodermatitis. In addition, taking 5 g of sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil daily can alleviate symptoms of neurodermatitis such as oozing skin and itching. A combination of external and internal application is ideal here.
Furthermore, taking the oil can improve the moisture of mucous membranes and their pH value. In 2014, a study of postmenopausal women showed that taking 3 g of sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil can counteract vaginal dryness. After 3 months, the women had significantly fewer symptoms.
Oral Cavity and Throat
Both internal and external application of sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil can strengthen the mucous membranes. The oil can be applied directly to open areas in the mouth and, in addition to taking the oil internally, supports the healing process. Mucosal damage of any kind, for example as a side effect of chemotherapy, can be treated with oil from sea buckthorn fruit. The positive effect of the oil on damaged mucous membranes is attributed mainly to the carotenoids and vitamin E it contains.
Eye Health
Sea buckthorn also has a long tradition of use against eye problems. The high content of carotenoids and vitamin E in the berries supports the eyes in many ways. Taking sea buckthorn fruit pulp oil is effective against dry eyes because it supports the formation of a stable tear film. This can reduce symptoms such as redness and burning of the eyes as well as irritation of the cornea. Sea buckthorn flavonoids additionally reduce oxidative stress in the retina and protect it from harmful influences, particularly UV radiation. According to current data, the flavonoids may also prevent inflammatory processes and the death of retinal cells.
Sea Buckthorn and Dementia
In a promising study, a preparation containing sea buckthorn extract led to a reduction in symptoms among dementia patients within one year. In addition to sea buckthorn, the preparation also contained extracts of small fat-leaf and air potato. Cognitive performance, attention span, and short-term memory improved, while depressive moods decreased. In the comparison group taking the standard medication donepezil, the patients performed worse. It can therefore be assumed that regular intake of sea buckthorn preparations may provide supportive benefits for symptoms of dementia.
Conclusion on the Effects of Sea Buckthorn
The high concentration of active compounds in sea buckthorn genuinely makes it an outstanding superfood and treatment of choice for numerous complaints. Hardly any other natural remedy is as versatile as sea buckthorn. It is therefore no wonder that the plant is so popular in naturopathy.
We ourselves get through the winter months very well with sea buckthorn; above all, we regularly consume the mother juice and fruit pulp oil. Regional organic cultivation and the best possible quality of sea buckthorn products are very important to us. We recently tried SANDICCA’s organic sea buckthorn elixir +C as a 7-day course, which gave us a noticeable energy boost. Especially in January, when the lack of light also affects our mood and general well-being somewhat, it was an extremely positive surprise to feel noticeably “brighter” and more alert after this course. We have not experienced any cold symptoms so far this winter (it is now mid-February).
For us, sea buckthorn has truly become an important companion through the cold and dark season, and when you read about the preventive effects described above for so many conditions, you are all the more inclined to take it.
Sources and Further Information
- Eur J Clin Nutr, Larmo P./Alin J.(2008): Effects of sea buckthorn berries on infections and inflammation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Volume/Issue Sep: 62(9), pp. 1123-30
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Geetha S./Asheesh G. (2011): Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). Volume/Issue 138, 2, pp. 268-278
- Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol, Diandong H./Feng G. (2016): Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) oil protects against chronic stress-induced inhibitory function of natural killer cells in rats. Volume/Issue Mar: 29(1), pp. 76-83
- Pak J Pharm Sci, Qadir M-I./Abbas K. (2016): Antibacterial activity of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Volume/Issue Sep: 29(5), pp. 1711-1713
- Erratum in: Hell J Nucl Med, Xiao M./Qiu X. (2013): Influence of hippophae rhamnoides on two appetite factors, gastric emptying and metabolic parameters, in children with functional dyspepsia. Hell J Nucl Med. Volume/Issue Sep-Dec: 16(3), p. 244
- Singh RG, Singh P, Singh PK, Usha, Agrawal A, Upadhyay BN, Soni A. Immunomodulating and antiproteinuric effect of Hippophae rhamnoides (Badriphal) in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. J Assoc Physicians India. 2013 Jun;61(6):397-9.
- J Assoc Physicians India, Singh R.-G./Singh P. (2013): Immunomodulating and antiproteinuric effect of Hippophae rhamnoides (Badriphal) in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Volume/Issue Jun: 61(6), pp. 397-9
- Nutr Res, Pichiah P.-B./Moon H.-J. (2012): Ethanolic extract of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L) prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice through down-regulation of adipogenic and lipogenic gene expression. Volume/Issue Nov: 32(11), pp. 856-64
- Hua Xi Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao, Zhang X./Zhang M. (2001): Effect of total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L. on sympathetic activity in hypertension. Volume/Issue Dec: 32(4), pp. 547-50
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/32538/Sanddornextrakt-wirkt-hepatoprotektiv (accessed August 4, 2018)
- World J Gastroenterol, Gao Z.-L./Gu X.-H. (2003): Effect of sea buckthorn on liver fibrosis: a clinical study. Volume/Issue Jul: 9(7), pp. 1615-7
- Bull Exp Biol Med, Zhamanbaeva G.-T./Murzakhmetova M.-K. (2014): Antitumor activity of ethanol extract from Hippophae rhamnoides L. leaves towards human acute myeloid leukemia cells in vitro. Volume/Issue Dec: 158(2), pp. 252-5
- Adv Skin Wound Care, Edraki M./Akbarzadeh A. (2014): Healing effect of sea buckthorn, olive oil, and their mixture on full-thickness burn wounds. Volume/Issue Jul: 27(7), pp. 317-23
- Cornea, Järvinen RL/Larmo PS (2011): Effects of oral sea buckthorn oil on tear film Fatty acids in individuals with dry eye. Volume/Issue Sep 30(9), pp. 1013-9
- J Agric Food Chem, Wang Y./Huang F. (2016): Protective Effect of Total Flavones from Hippophae rhamnoides L. against Visible Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration in Pigmented Rabbits. Volume/Issue Jan 13,64(1), pp. 70-161
- Clin Drug Investig, Sadhu A./Upadhyay P. (2014): Management of cognitive determinants in senile dementia of Alzheimer’s type: therapeutic potential of a novel polyherbal drug product. Volume/Issue Dec: 34(12), pp. 857-69
