SEA BUCKTHORN Overview Information
Sea buckthorn is an herb. The leaves, flowers, and fruits are used to make medicine.
Sea buckthorn leaves and flowers are used for treating arthritis, gastrointestinal ulcers, gout, and skin rashes caused by infectious diseases such as measles. A tea containing sea buckthorn leaves is used as a source of vitamins, antioxidants, protein building blocks (amino acids), fatty acids and minerals; for improving blood pressure and lowering cholesterol; preventing and controlling blood vessel diseases; and boosting immunity.
Sea buckthorn berries are used for preventing infections, improving sight, and slowing the aging process.
The seed or berry oil is used as an expectorant for loosening phlegm; for treating asthma, heart disorders including chest pain (angina) and high cholesterol; for preventing blood vessel disease; and as an antioxidant. Sea buckthorn oil is also used for slowing the decline of thinking skills with age; reducing illness due to cancer, as well as limiting the toxicity of chemical cancer treatment (chemotherapy); balancing the immune system; treating stomach and intestinal diseases including ulcers and reflux esophagitis (GERD); treating night blindness and dry eye; and as a supplemental source of vitamins C, A, and E, beta-carotene, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Some people apply sea buckthorn berries, berry concentrate, and berry or seed oil directly to the skin for preventing sunburn; for treating radiation damage from x-rays and sunburns; for healing wounds including bedsores, burns, and cuts; for acne, dermatitis, dry skin, eczema, skin ulcers, and skin color changes after giving birth; and for protecting mucus membranes.
In foods, sea buckthorn berries are used to make jellies, juices, purees, and sauces.
In manufacturing, sea buckthorn is used in cosmetics and anti-aging products.
How does it work?
Sea buckthorn contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, and other active ingredients. It might have some activity against stomach and intestinal ulcers, and heartburn symptoms.
SEA BUCKTHORN Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Heart and blood vessel disease (cardiovascular disease). Developing research in China suggests that taking 10 mg of a particular sea buckthorn extract three times daily for 6 weeks lowers cholesterol, reduces chest pain, and improves heart function in people with heart disease.
- Liver disease (cirrhosis). There is some evidence that taking sea buckthorn extract might reduce liver enzymes and other chemicals in the blood that indicate liver problems.
- Digestive tract infection. Some research shows that taking 28 grams of sea buckthorn berries daily in frozen puree for 90 days does not significantly prevent digestive tract infection.
- Common cold. Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 28 grams of sea buckthorn berries daily in frozen puree for 90 days does not significantly prevent the common cold or make symptoms go away faster.
- Dry eye. Some early clinical research shows that taking a specific sea buckthorn product (Omega-7, Aromtech Ltd., Finland) decreases feelings of eye redness and burning.
- Arthritis.
- Stomach and intestinal ulcers.
- Gout.
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol.
- Vision disorders.
- Aging.
- Cough.
- Asthma.
- Chest pain (angina).
- Cancer.
- Heartburn.
- Sunburn.
- Wounds.
- Pressure ulcers.
- Burns.
- Cuts.
- Acne.
- Dry skin.
- A skin condition called eczema.
- Other conditions.
SEA BUCKTHORN Side Effects & Safety
Sea buckthorn fruit appears to be safe when consumed as food. Sea buckthorn fruit is used in jams, pies, drinks, and other foods. Sea buckthorn fruit might also be safe when used as a medicine. It has been safely used in scientific studies lasting up to 90 days.
However, not enough is known about the safety of using sea buckthorn leaf or extracts.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of sea buckthorn during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Surgery: Sea buckthorn might slow blood clotting. This raises the concern that it might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using sea buckthorn at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
SEA BUCKTHORN Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with SEA BUCKTHORN
Sea buckthorn might slow blood clotting. Taking sea buckthorn along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
SEA BUCKTHORN Dosing
The appropriate dose of sea buckthorn depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for sea buckthorn. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
