Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Flower, Seed Oil, Berry

Flavors/Temps: Sour, Astringent, Warming

Caution: Considered safe, it can be taken up to 6 months as a medicine. Some people may experience headaches or dizziness.

Key Constituents: Flavonoids, Quercetin, Carotenoids, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C (10X more than orange), and E (3rd highest source in the plant world), Amino acids, Fatty acids, omega-3, omega-6, omega-7, and omega-9, Minerals (including: Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Phosphorus)

History/Folklore:​ The pulp from the fruit and oil from the seeds of sea buckthorn are extracted for medicinal use. It is currently being studied as a treatment to relieve the side effects of cancer treatment, promote heart health, treat gastrointestinal ulcers, liver protection, and internal and topical therapy for a variety of skin disorders. China produces 90% of the world’s supply of sea buckthorn. Its juice is commonly sold as a beverage.

In ancient times, leaves and young branches were fed to horses as a remedy to support weight gain and improve the appearance of the animal’s coat. Thus, the genus name, Hippophae, is derived from hippo (horse) and phaos (shining).

During the Cold War, Russian and East German horticulturists developed new varieties with larger berries to improve harvesting and increase yields. An extract of the berries is used to protect astronauts from UV radiation burns while in space. More recently, experimental crops have been grown in Arizona and Nevada.

Sea buckthorn oil contains fats, vitamin E, and carotenoids that help protect liver cells from damage.

More than half the fat found in sea buckthorn oil is healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fat.

When the berries are pressed, the resulting sea buckthorn juice separates into three layers: a top thick orange cream, a middle layer that contains many of the fruit’s saturated and polyunsaturated fats, and a bottom layer of sediment and juice. The top two layers are often used for cosmetic and liniment products, and the bottom layer is used for syrups and juices. Sea buckthorn juice is common in China, Germany, and Scandinavian countries.

While more studies are needed, the plant’s ability to improve energy, fatty acid metabolism, and neurotransmitter synthesis may make it useful for countering depression and lethargy.

Sea buckthorn is an exceptionally hardy plant able to withstand winter temperatures as low as -45 degrees F. It has an extensive root system that inhibits soil erosion and nitrogen-fixing properties that enrich soil, making it useful for reclaiming land to create wildlife habitats. In Northwest China, sea buckthorn shrubs have been planted on dry riverbeds to increase water retention and decrease sediment loss.

The fruit is an important food source for birds. 51 out of the 360 species that live in sea buckthorn areas depend on the plant for food and shelter. The leaves and tender branches are a rich source of protein.