Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

ElaeagnaceaeEurasia from Atlantic coast of Europe to China and Mongolia; widespread from Scotland to the Himalayan range and Tibetan Plateau

Description

overall appearance

A thorny deciduous shrub or small tree 1–6 m tall, often colonizing poor soils in dense thickets. In autumn, the branches bear spectacular clusters of brilliant orange berries that persist after leaf fall, creating a distinctive visual display. Silver-gray leaves contrast with the orange fruit.

roots

Deep, wide-spreading root system with nitrogen-fixing nodules (Frankia actinomycetes); highly effective at stabilizing eroding soils; roots can extend 10+ m horizontally

stem

Multi-stemmed, thorny shrub; bark gray-brown; branches end in sharp thorns 1–8 cm long; woody, rigid; yellow wood inside

leaves

Alternate, narrow-linear to lanceolate, 3–8 cm long by 3–8 mm wide; silver-green due to dense covering of silver scales (peltate trichomes); both surfaces similarly colored

flowers

Tiny, inconspicuous, yellowish; dioecious (separate male and female plants); male catkins 3–5 mm long; female flowers in leaf axils; wind-pollinated; blooms March–April before leaf emergence

fruits/seeds

Round to oval berry-like drupe 5–9 mm diameter; brilliant orange to yellow-orange when ripe; borne in dense clusters along stems; very juicy; tart, oily flavor; contain one brown seed

Active Compounds

Vitamin C (400–2500 mg/100 g; one of richest plant sources on earth)Omega-7 fatty acid (palmitoleic acid; 30–40% of pulp oil; rare in plants)Carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, lutein; 300–500 mg/100 g)Tocopherols and tocotrienols (Vitamin E; 100–300 mg/100 g in oil)Flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol glycosides)Omega-3 (linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid) in seed oilPhytosterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol)Organic acids (malic acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid)

Traditional Uses

Tibetan traditional medicine (Sowa Rigpa) has used sea buckthorn as a primary medicinal plant for 1300+ years; used for cardiovascular, digestive, and wound healing
Mongols traditionally called it 'holy fruit' and used it for fatigue, wound healing, and gastric ulcers; fed to horses for stamina and coat quality
Russian folk medicine has long used sea buckthorn oil for radiation injury, burns, and gastric ulcers; Soviet space program studied it for cosmonauts
Chinese traditional medicine (Shaji) uses it for indigestion, circulatory disorders, and as a Qi tonic
Ancient Greek tradition attributed sea buckthorn to giving Pegasus his golden coat; used for horses' health
Scandinavian coastal communities have harvested berries for food and medicine for centuries
Traditional Siberian use for skin wound healing, frostbite treatment, and to boost immunity during harsh winters
Indian Himalayan Ayurvedic tradition uses it as an adaptogen and nutritive tonic at high altitudes

Modern Applications

Skin healing and regeneration: omega-7 palmitoleic acid is a component of human skin fat; topical oil accelerates wound healing, reduces burns, and treats skin conditions in multiple clinical studies
Gastric ulcer protection: standardized oil reduces H. pylori adhesion, repairs mucosal cells, and heals ulcers in RCTs; approved as ulcer treatment in China
Cardiovascular protection: omega-7, tocopherols, and flavonoids reduce LDL oxidation, improve endothelial function, and lower triglycerides in human studies
Immune support: extraordinary Vitamin C content (100× higher than apples) plus carotenoids support immune function
Anti-aging skincare: omega-7, Vitamin E, and carotenoids in topical oil significantly reduce fine lines and improve skin elasticity in clinical trials
Antitumor: isorhamnetin and quercetin induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines; supported by in vitro and animal data
Mucosal dryness (Sjogren's syndrome): internal sea buckthorn oil supplementation reduces dry eye, dry mouth, and vaginal dryness in RCTs
Radiation protection: Russian research documents significant radioprotective effects; used after Chernobyl disaster

⚠️ Safety Information

Contraindications

Anticoagulant therapy: antiplatelet flavonoids and omega fatty acids increase bleeding risk; caution with warfarin
Pregnancy: insufficient safety data for concentrated extracts; culinary berry use is likely safe
Allergy to Elaeagnaceae family or related plant pollens
Pre-surgical: discontinue oil supplements 2 weeks before surgery due to antiplatelet effects

Side Effects

Gastrointestinal effects: nausea, diarrhea, and stomach upset with undiluted juice or high-dose oil capsules
Skin yellowing (carotenodermia): reversible orange-yellow skin tinting with very high carotenoid intake
Increased bleeding time from antiplatelet omega-7 and flavonoid activity
Rare allergic reactions (urticaria, contact dermatitis with topical oil)
Strong tart flavor of undiluted juice may cause salivation reflex and esophageal discomfort

Drug Interactions

Anticoagulants (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): combined antiplatelet effects increase bleeding risk
Antihypertensive medications: additive blood pressure lowering effect
Anticancer drugs: isorhamnetin may sensitize tumor cells to certain chemotherapy agents; discuss with oncologist
Fat-soluble vitamin supplements (A, D, E, K): carotenoid and tocopherol-rich berries may alter absorption and serum levels