Sea buckthorn botanical
Deciduous shrub sea buckthorn (Hippophae L.) belongs to the Olive family. In nature, sea buckthorn grows in vast areas of Europe and Asia.
What does sea buckthorn look like?
Sufficiently tall and thorny shrub forms extensive thickets. Bushes grow in well-lit places, reach a height of up to 5 meters. The stems are covered with sharp thorns and small gray-green leaves with curved edges.
The leaves are long, lanceolate – green above, and silver below. It blooms in spring with small yellow flowers, covers the branches, and looks spectacular when orange fruits appear. Small fleshy berries grow densely on the branches.
Sea buckthorn berries have a sour taste. They are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, so it is not surprising that they have found use in medicine and cosmetology. Seeds and leaves are also a valuable source of biologically active substances.
Sea buckthorn: valuable ingredients
The sea buckthorn tree owes its healing properties to the high content of numerous substances contained mainly in fruits. They have almost 200 active substances.
Sea buckthorn contains :
- antioxidants;
- flavonoids;
- amino acids;
- unsaturated fatty acids;
- trace elements: potassium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, boron, calcium and silicon;
- vitamins: A, C, D, E, K, PP and group B;
- provitamins.
Note! Sea buckthorn is a plant with extraordinary healing properties. It contains three times more vitamin A than carrots, ten times more vitamin C than citrus fruits, and four times more vitamin E than sunflower seeds. Increasingly, its properties are used in cosmetics, it is part of creams, masks and lotions.
Medicinal properties of sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn has been used since ancient times. Berries, leaves, as well as oil from the pulp of fruits or seeds, are still used for medicinal and care purposes.
Sea buckthorn owes its healing properties to the high content of numerous substances contained mainly in fruits.
Additional Information! Sea buckthorn berries are high in vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. It is characterized by high strength and resistance to heat treatment. The intense color of the fruit is due to the presence of a mixture of carotenoids. Sea buckthorn is a source of 40 types of carotenoids, which are precursors of vitamin A.
In addition, sea buckthorn berries contain essential oils, organic acids (citric, malic, quinic), as well as amino acids. Of the 18 amino acids found in sea buckthorn, almost half of them must come from food, since the human body cannot synthesize them on its own.
Sea buckthorn is a source of lipids: omega-3, omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9. The fruit pulp is dominated by palmitic and oleic acids.
Sea buckthorn health benefits
The therapeutic effect of sea buckthorn has been known for a long time, but numerous studies are still being carried out on its effects on our health. What is known about the medicinal properties of this plant?
Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, y-carotene and lycopene reduce the risk of cancer and slow down the aging process.
Sea buckthorn berries are rich in phenolic acids, which have antioxidant properties. As you know, antioxidants bind free oxygen radicals and convert them into hydrogen peroxide.
Sea buckthorn strengthens the heart . Vitamins C and E and plant sterols, contained in large quantities in berries, reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol. In addition, ascorbic acid itself has been shown to lower blood pressure.
The same properties are shown by potassium, which is also abundant in these fruits. Therefore, sea buckthorn is recommended for people struggling with hypertension, as well as for the prevention of this disease.
Fruits and infusions from sea buckthorn leaves, due to the content of beta-carotene and flavonoids, are used for inflammatory conditions, including:
- digestive system;
- mucous membranes and gums;
- in case of rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatism).
The active substances contained in sea buckthorn soothe rheumatic diseases such as pain, stiffness and limited joint mobility.
Sea buckthorn helps in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system: it normalizes the production of stomach acid, reducing inflammation and supporting the regeneration of mucous membranes. This contributes to a significant reduction in pain and healing of ulcers.
It is used for peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. With this type of disease, sea buckthorn oil is recommended to be used 3 times a day, 1/2 teaspoon 30 minutes before meals. However, you should consult your doctor before using it.
Sea buckthorn also supports lipid metabolism, helping to reduce cholesterol levels in the body. May support carbohydrate metabolism and affect blood glucose levels.
The high content of polyphenols inhibits the growth of some bacteria, including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus.
Sea buckthorn leaf and seed extracts may have a protective effect on liver cells, preventing damage to them.
They are rich in vitamin K, which is necessary for the production of prothrombin in the liver, which plays an important role in blood clotting. Eating sea buckthorn berries can also prevent bleeding.
Note! Sea buckthorn promotes weight loss: it increases the feeling of satiety and reduces appetite. Improve mood and reduce stress levels. Sea buckthorn can also be used prophylactically for autumn-winter diseases to strengthen immunity.
Infusions of leaves and sea buckthorn oil (in the form of poultices) are used for many skin diseases to speed up the healing process, as an adjuvant in the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds, bedsores and skin burns.
Sea buckthorn oil: medicinal properties
Sea buckthorn oil, which is extracted from the seeds and fruits of this plant, is extremely valuable. It is used not only internally, but also externally. The carotenoids contained in the oil have regenerating, anti-aging and antioxidant properties.
Most often, sea buckthorn oil is used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries,
Studies show that applying sea buckthorn oil for several weeks improves skin condition. It is also used for dressing burn wounds: it reduces pain and accelerates healing.
beauty oil
Sea buckthorn oil is important for maintaining healthy skin: it gives it radiance, nourishes, evens out color and smoothes wrinkles. Supports skin regeneration processes, protects against the adverse effects of UV radiation, slows down the aging process and improves elasticity. Therefore, it is often used as an ingredient in cosmetics.
The fatty acids present in the plant have the ability to absorb ultraviolet rays. A high concentration of palmitic acid helps to restore the epidermis.
Sea buckthorn oil has a positive effect on skin renewal processes. It is added to creams that are designed to care for dry, aging skin. In addition, it is used in the manufacture of tanning products.
For external use, the oil is recommended to be diluted due to its extremely intense color. 2-5 drops can be added to serum, face cream or mask, mixed with other oils.
Sea buckthorn is also used in cosmetics for hair care, as it has a beneficial effect on the scalp: it relieves inflammation, strengthens the bulbs and accelerates hair growth.
Sea buckthorn extract perfectly regenerates the ends of the hair and prevents split ends. Thanks to the content of polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, it improves the elasticity of the strands. Cosmetics with the addition of oil can cure dandruff and prevent hair loss.
A hair mask can be made based on coconut oil by adding a few drops of sea buckthorn oil. Apply to hair, put on a shower cap, wrap in a towel and leave for half an hour. Then wash off several times with shampoo.
Sea buckthorn tea
Also valuable are sea buckthorn leaves, which are rich in antioxidants and organic acids. Dried fruits and leaves of sea buckthorn can be used to make an infusion. The infusion of leaves has a delicate taste and aromatic smell.
Like fruits, they increase the body’s immunity, have mild disinfecting, anti-inflammatory properties. Sea buckthorn infusions are used for inflammation of the digestive system, rheumatism, difficult to heal wounds. Minerals contained in the leaves help the absorption of vitamins, strengthen tissues and prevent anemia.
Benefits in the kitchen
Sea buckthorn berries are sour, with a characteristic slightly pineapple aroma. They are collected from August to October. The fruits can be eaten raw, but their sour and tart taste is not to everyone’s taste.
Used in the kitchen for juices, jams, jellies, which should be included in the diet due to the high content of vitamin C.
Contraindications for use
Although sea buckthorn is a plant with numerous health benefits, not everyone can use it.
Contraindications to the use of sea buckthorn are gastric and duodenal ulcers. Among the active substances present in sea buckthorn, there are acids that can irritate the gastric mucosa.
Despite many advantages, sea buckthorn should not be consumed by people with diseases of the pancreas, liver, acute cholecystitis and gallstone disease.
Sea buckthorn is a valuable but underestimated plant. The vitamins and nutrients it contains protect the body from many diseases.
