Sea buckthorn is one of the botanical herbs that we use in Naturopathic Medicine. It is also a herb we commonly find in our neighbourhood.

Sea buckthorn has been used for thousands of years, with one of the first recorded being around 600-900 AD. Traditionally, it has been used to help with indigestion, injuries and skin healing, liver issues and cardiovascular issues.

The Sea buckthorn plant is a shrub found in many places around the world including Canada, Tibet, India, Russia, Mongolia and Northern Europe. The plant contains tart, orange-yellow berries which are high in many nutrients. The leaves are also high in nutrients. This makes it an important herb with many different medicinal uses.

Nutrients

Sea buckthorn is high in nutrients such as…

• • • Vitamin C – good for immune health and antioxidants
    • B vitamins –  good for stress, cell repair and nerve regeneration,
    • Vitamin K – helps promote wound healing and plays a role in clotting
    • Vitamin A –  a great antioxidant can help with skin and immune health
    • Vitamin E  – can help with liver function, brain health, skin health and immune health
    • Quercetin – helpful in allergies  and is anti-inflammatory

Therapeutic Uses

The primary benefits of the leaves include their action in wound healing and skin health. There are many ways in which sea buckthorn does this. Using sea buckthorn when healing from an injury can reduce inflammation, increase cell regrowth, amplify collagen production,  increase blood vessels to the area, and has some anti-bacterial/ anti-viral effects. For wound healing, Sea buckthorn is usually applied topically, however you should consult your naturopathic doctor for the best way to use this product.

Additionally, Sea Buckthorn is gaining popularity in cosmetic properties because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and collagen-stimulating effects.

Sea buckthorn is also believed to be liver protection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, immune supportive, anti-stress, anti-oxidant and possibly even anti-carcinogenic.

This amazing herb has so many beneficial properties, and you just might be able to spot one in your neighbourhood.

Watch the video to learn more: https://youtu.be/U_7PsHIHRx8

Resources

Suryakumar, G., & Gupta, A. (2011). Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). Journal of ethnopharmacology, 138(2), 268-278.