During these uncertain times many of us are committing to pay better attention to our health and do more for prevention of various ailments. Among the amazing variety of supplements and herbs, one stands out for delivering a wide range of benefits supported by numerous studies – Sea Buckthorn Oil. It is not very well known here in the west, but in Siberia, Tibet and other parts of the world it is the number 1 go to remedy for numerous conditions. Sometimes referred to as the “sacred fruit of the Himalayas,” Sea Buckthorn is used, as it has been, for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine. It has shown to possess numerous health benefits, such as heart muscle support, boosting the immune system, protecting from diabetes, as well as healing of stomach ulcers and soothing various skin conditions. Here are 11 scientifically proven beneficial properties of Sea Buckthorn Oil.
- Immune Support - Sea Buckthorn Oil can help protect your body from infections. Experts attribute this effect, to a large extent, to the high content of antioxidants, (1), flavonoids and “live” fat-soluble forms of vitamin C and E. Flavonoids are beneficial herbal compounds that can strengthen your immune system, increasing disease resistance. In one test tube test, Sea Buckthorn Oil prevented the growth of bacteria such as E. coli (2). Sea Buckthorn Oil may also provide protection against various viruses, such as influenza and herpes viruses (1).
- Support Healthy Heart - Sea Buckthorn Oil can benefit heart health in several different ways. First, its antioxidants can help reduce risk factors for heart disease, including blood clots, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol content. For example, in one study, 12 healthy men were administered 5 g of Sea Buckthorn oil daily. Four weeks later, thrombosis markers were significantly reduced in this group of subjects. (3). In another study, a daily intake of 0.75 ml of Sea Buckthorn Oil for 30 days helped lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. Levels of triglycerides, as well as total and “bad” LDL cholesterol also decreased in people with high cholesterol.
- Skin Rejuvenation - Sea Buckthorn Oil contains certain compounds that improve skin health when applied topically. For example, studies show this oil can help stimulate skin regeneration, helping wounds heal faster. (4) Similarly, animal studies show that sea buckthorn oil can also help reduce inflammation after exposure to ultraviolet radiation, protecting the skin from sunlight (5). Researchers believe that both of these effects can be associated with the omega-7 and omega-3 fats it contains (6). In a seven-week study involving 11 young men it was found that a mixture of Sea Buckthorn Oil and water, applied directly to the skin, improved skin elasticity better than a placebo (7). There is also some evidence that Sea Buckthorn Oil can increase skin moisture levels as well as help skin heal faster from burns, frostbite, and pressure sores (8.9).
- Nutrient Rich - Sea Buckthorn Oil contains numerous vitamins, minerals and useful plant compounds: flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenes, fat-soluble vitamin complexes - antioxidants (9) that help protect your body from aging and diseases, such as cancer and cardio vascular disorders. (Sea Buckthorn Seeds are rich in quercetin (10), a flavonoid associated with lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease. Sea Buckthorn berries contain a high level of potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus in easily absorbable fat-soluble form. They also contain a large amount of folate, biotin and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and E. More than half of the fat contained in Sea Buckthorn Oil is mono- and polyunsaturated fat, which are two types of healthy fats. Interestingly, Sea Buckthorn Oil is one of very few plant based sources to contain four fatty omega acids: omega-3, omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9 (and according to some Russian studies, all 6 omega acids). (11)
- Diabetes Prevention - Sea Buckthorn Oil can also help prevent the development of diabetes. Studies show that it can help lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion and improving insulin sensitivity. (12) One human study revealed that Sea Buckthorn Oil can help minimize the rise of blood sugar levels after consuming foods high in carbohydrates (13). Preventing frequent long-term spikes in blood sugar levels can decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Liver Benefits - Sea Buckthorn Oil may also help improve liver health. It contains healthy fats, vitamin E and carotenoids that can protect liver cells from damage (14). In one study, Sea Buckthorn Oil significantly improved liver markers (15). In another study, people with cirrhosis — an advanced form of liver disease — were administered 15 g of Sea Buckthorn extract or placebo three times a day for six months. People who received Sea Buckthorn extract improved liver function blood markers significantly more than the placebo group (16). Since the condition of skin depends on the health of the liver, improving liver function indirectly affects skin rejuvenation.
- Cancer Prevention - The compounds present in Sea Buckthorn Oil may help prevent cancer. This protective effect may be caused by flavonoids and antioxidants in the oil. For example, Sea Buckthorn is rich in quercetin, a flavonoid that appears to help kill cancer cells (17). Various antioxidants contained in Sea Buckthorn, including carotenoids and vitamin E, may also protect us against this terrible disease. Several in vitro studies show that Sea Buckthorn extracts can be effective in preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells (18).
- There are a number of studies reporting that Sea Buckthorn Oil possesses a number of other healing properties. For example, it can improve the condition of the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies show that Sea Buckthorn Oil is able to both prevent and treat stomach ulcers (19, 20).
- Other studies demonstrate that Sea Buckthorn Oil can reduce the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. For example, it can reduce vaginal dryness and act as an effective alternative treatment for postmenopausal women who cannot or do not wish to take estrogen (21).
- Sea Buckthorn Oil possesses an anti-inflammatory effect. Studies show that Sea Buckthorn leaf extract help reduce joint inflammation (22).
- Sea Buckthorn may reduce symptoms of depression. Various animal studies have reported that Sea Buckthorn may have an antidepressant effect. (23).
It is important to note that most of these studies are small. Since Sea Buckthorn, as a natural remedy, does not represent a huge interest for large pharmaceutical companies. But the millennia-old experience of using Sea Buckthorn in the treatment and improvement of general human health has been confirmed even by these small studies. Using these studies, it is already possible to draw conclusions that there is no need to wait for full-fledged research to start using this ancient remedy both as a preventative and as a supplement to the conventional treatment methods.
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283105143_Sea_buckthorn_Hippophae_rhamnoides_L_as_a_potential_source_of_nutraceutics_and_its_therapeutic_possibilities_-_A_review
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272768513_Hippophae_Rhamnoides_L_Sea_Buckthorn_a_Potential_Source_of_Nutraceuticals
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11120446
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16633732
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22641502
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5438513/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260210835_Anti-Aging_Effects_of_Hippophae_rhamnoides_Emulsion_on_Human_Skin
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123756886101203
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- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22332099
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22530142/
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- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20823898/
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- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19524009
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4615518/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21856292
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814609013491
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308968453_A_review_of_therapeutic_and_non-therapeutic_properties_of_sea_buckthorn
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290211649_Bioactive_profile_health_benefits_and_safety_evaluation_of_sea_buckthorn_Hippophae_rhamnoides_L_A_review
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25104582
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16102517
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230897522_Evaluation_of_antidepressant-like_effects_of_aqueous_extract_of_sea_buckthorn_hippophae_rhamnoides_L_ssp_turkestanica_fruitsin_experimental_models_of_depression