Sea Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn (Sha Ji)

Botanical Name: Hippophae rhamnoides

Sea buckthorn is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that support heart health, treat diabetes, and help to improve skin conditions. As it becomes better known in the West it is becoming recognized as a superfoodl. It contains 190 bioactive constituents.

Watch a short video, from Ann Christensen, Founder and Creator of White Rabbit Institute of Healing™ – Sea Buckthorn is Crazy Nutritious! It is also highly valued for…

Remember to check with your doctor before trying new medicines or herbal remedies, especially if you are taking other medication where drug interactions are possible.

Below is an overview of sea buckthorn, combining the best of Western Science, Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore, and a wide range of healing modalities. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of sea buckthorn.

How to take FULL advantage of Sea Buckthorn's healing powers...

Sea Buckthorn (Sha Ji)

JOIN ME in an exploration of the healing herb, Sea Buckthorn (Sha Ji). Dive deep into the benefits and applications of Anemarrhena, from Eastern and Western perspectives, and so much more!

Western

Western Name: Sea Buckthorn

Also Known As: Siberian Pineapple, Sandthorn, Sallow Thorn, Seaberry

Organs/Systems: Respiratory, Skin, Cardiovascular, Immune, Digestive

Key Actions: Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Stomachic, Astringent, Analgesic, Expectorant, Antidepressant

Medicinal Uses: Digestive issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, cancer, obesity, cirrhosis, dry eyes, asthma, colds, pneumonia, stomach ulcers, tumors, influenza, herpes, HIV, menopause symptoms, depression, sunburn, radiated skin, bedsores, acne, dermatitis, dry skin, immune system.

Eastern

Pin Yin: Sha ji

Also Known As: N/A

Meridians: Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Lung

Key Actions: Transforms Phlegm, Stops Cough, Tonifies the Spleen, Moves Blood, Eliminates Blood Stagnation, Relieves Pain

Medicinal Uses: Loss of appetite, digestive issues, abdominal pain, cough, colds and flu, fever, pneumonia, wheezing, asthma, shortness of breath, herpes, diabetes, inflammation, toxicity, abscesses, toxic colon, amenorrhea, muscle cramps, edema, high blood pressure, cirrhosis, obesity, cancer, carbuncles, depression, eczema, psoriasis, acne, dry eyes, burns, stretch marks, radiated skin, insect bites, boosts immunity, supports liver health.

Basic Habitat/Botany:

Sea buckthorn is a small, thorny, dioecious shrub in the family Elaeagnaceae. The leaves are alternate or opposite. The male plant produces brownish flowers with wind-distributed pollen. The female produces orange berries. The fruit is a drupe.

Sea buckthorn is a native shrub to China and areas of Europe. It thrives in the high altitudes of the northwest Himalayan region. In Western Europe it is largely confined to sea coasts where salt spray prevents other larger plants from taking over its habitat. In Central Asia, it grows in dry semi-desert regions.

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 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 for use in helping relieve the side effects of cancer treatment, promoting heart health, treating gastronomical 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 as a remedy to horses to support weight gain and improve the appearance of the animal’s coat. Thus the genus name, Hippophae, 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. They use the berries for their astronauts and an extract to protect their skin from UV radiation burns while in space. More recently experimental crops have been grown in the U.S., including the states of 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 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 and fatty acid metabolism, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, indicates that it may be useful for helping to counter 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 for soil enrichment, making it useful for reclaiming land to create wildlife habitats. In Northwest China, the shrubs have been planted on the bottoms of dry riverbeds to increase water retention in the soil, thus decreasing sediment loss.

The fruit is an important food source for birds. 51 bird species out of the 360 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.

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Did you know?

3rd Highest in World

Sea buckthorn is the world’s third highest plant source for vitamin E.
Facts

Holy Fruit

Sea buckthorn is sometimes called the holy fruit of the Himalayas.
Fun fact!

All 4 Omega Fatty Acids!!!

Sea buckthorn may be the only plants to provide all four omega fatty acids: omega-3 (linolenic acid), omega-6 (linoleic acid), omega-7 (palmitoleic acid), and omega-9 (oleic acid).

How to use Sea Buckthorn (Sha Ji) and take FULL advantage of it's healing powers!

Find out how to safely use this powerful herb and get specific recipes you can make use of immediately. Dive deep into Eastern and Western perspectives about HOW and WHY this herb works. Includes uses, benefits, essential oils, gardening tips, and much, much more.

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ATTENTION: All material provided on this website is for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your healthcare professional or physician. Redistribution permitted with attribution. Be Healthy. Be Happy. Be Whole. Be Free.

ATENCIÓN: Todo el material proporcionado en este sitio web es sólo con fines informativos o educativos. No es sustituto del consejo de su profesional de la salud o médico. Esté sano. Sea feliz. Siéntase completo. Sea libre.

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