The scientific name of the sea buckthorn is Hippophae rhamnoides. Other names include Satalulu, Ri, Rhi, Shangti, Dhurchuk, Chumaa, Tarwaa, Sirmaa, Sandthorn, Seaberry.
Sea-buckthorn is grown in many regions ranging from Europe, Asia including India, Himilayas, France, Russia, North and South America. The oval or lightly roundish fruits grow in compact grapes varying from pale yellow to dark orange.
Sea buckthorn nutrition value and facts
The fruits have a very high vitamin C content, on average exceeding that of lemons and oranges.
Sea buckthorn contains omega 3, omega 5, omega 6, omega 7 and omega 9.
It is rich in vitamins A, B1, B12, C, E, K, and P; flavonoids, lycopene, carotenoids, and phytosterols.
Sea buckthorn contains a rare fatty acid called palmitoleic acid, which scientists believe is the compound capable of boosting skin health. It is one of the only fruits containing omega-7.
These berries also contain serotonin, beta carotene, uric acid, succinic acid, oleonol acid and 11 minerals elements such as zinc, calcium and iron.
It is difficult to find definitive nutrition profile of sea buckthorn berries. A 100 gm of sea buckthorn has about 49 calories. It contains about
6-11% fatty acid
600 – 2,500 mg Vitamin C
160 mg Vitamin E
310-2,100 mg Flavanoids
Traditional medicinal benefits and uses of sea buckthorn
SSBT is a traditional herbal medicine, which has long used many condition like relieving cough, diarrhea, aiding digestion, invigorating blood circulation alleviating pain, treating colitis and enterocolitis since ancient time because it is rich of antioxidant. Juice, syrup, and oil of the fruits have been used in disantheria, osteoporosis, hemorrhage, cataract, urinary stone, acne, psoriasis, sterility, polyneuritis, cheilosis, glossitis, baldness, analgesic, benign prostatic hypertrophy, antiobesity, gout, and chronic prostitisas a metabolism regulator in traditional medicine.
In Ayurveda, sea buckthorn concoctions have been used traditionally as an astringent, anti-diarrheal, stomachic, antitussive and anti-hemorrhagic. Concoctions treat stomach ulcers and, when applied topically, treat bedsores and skin problems caused by irradiation.
In ancient Greek this berry is used to promote skin health, energy and vitality, and for weight stabilization.
In the traditional Austrian medicine, internal consumption of sea buckthorn berry as tea, juice, or syrup is used for treatment of infections, colds, and flu.
Sea buckthorn based preparations have been extensively exploited in folklore treatment of slow digestion, stomach malfunctioning, cardiovascular problems, liver injury, tendon and ligament injuries, skin diseases and ulcers.
Scientific proven health benefits of sea buckthorn
According to a study, Sea buckthorn is an important plant because of its immense medicinal and therapeutic potential. Various pharmacological activities such as cytoprotective, anti-stress, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, radioprotective, anti-atherogenic, anti-tumor, anti-microbial and tissue regeneration have been reported.
A study has shown that sea buckthorn berries a reductive effect on serum C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, was detected.
Another study has shown that Sea buckthorn has antioxidant, anti-ulcerogenic and hepato-protective actions, and its berry oil is reported to suppress platelet aggregation. Thus helps in prevention of thrombosis.
Study has shown that Sea buckthorn seed oil treatment increased the level of a-linolenic, linoleic, and eicosapentaenoic acids, whereas pulp oil supplementation β-Sitosterol and β-carotene in the oils may also have effected on the symptoms of Atopic dermatitis.
Study has shown that the sea buckthorn has radio protective effect generated by SBT at molecular level in terms of free radical scavenging as studied through in-vitro studies could explain the cellular survival, proliferation enhancement, immunostimulation, and ultimately the whole body survival.
A study has shown that Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) seeds aqueous extract has antioxidant and antibacterial activities.
A study has shown that the extracted sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils have both preventive and curative effects on gasteric ulcers, and has anti-ulcer properties.
A study has shown that the leaf extract of sea buckthorn has a significant anti-inflammatory activity and has the potential for the treatment of arthritis.
A study has shown that sea buckthorn juice can block the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds more effectively than ascorbic acid and thereby prevent tumour production.
A study has shown that the sea buckthorn helps to protect liver against injury, promote liver health and prevent progression of liver fibrosis.
A study has shown that the sea buckthorn has anti-hypertension effect and has potential use in the management of hyperinsulinemia in non-diabetic state with cardiovascular diseases.
There are several studies affirming the use of sea buckthorn for promoting healing burns, scalds, and various other skin conditions when applied topically and ingested.
Another study confirms the use of see buckthorn improve the heart health, decrease the cholesterol, and protect the arteries from the formation of plaque.
How to check for ripeness of Sea buckthorn ?
The ripe berries of sea buckthorn has orange glow with no odor. The unpleasant odor is a sign of being overripe.
Ripe sea buckthorn can be shaken off the branch, though many prefer clipping the fruits individually to avoid bruising.
How to Open or Cut:
Sea buckthorn requires no peeling or de-seeding. Like blueberries, they may be eaten out of hand as-is, juiced, or blended.
Storage tips
Sea buckthorn prefers cooler, drier temperatures and should not be left in humid, warm kitchens. Place loosely packed sea buckthorn fruit in the refrigerator, where it will keep for a week. Or, place sea buckthorns in the freezer to extend its lifespan for up to a year.
Sea Buckthorn Recipe Ideas and Uses:
Try this sea buck thorn juice. When pressed, the juice separates into three layers: the top is an oily layer, the middle is juice, and the bottom is sediment. After six months, the juice grows brown from oxidation.
Try mulled juice recipe, combine and heat sea buckthorn juice with brewed tea, orange juice and warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Add brown sugar as necessary.
Use seabuckthorn leaves to make teas.
The see buckthorn oil has medicinal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
Sea buckthorn juice can be used as a lemon juice substitute: doing so opens the possibilities to making sour liquers, marinades, sauces, and dessert syrups.
Make sea buckthorn vinegar by adding the fruits to boiled white vinegar. Add other herb and spices as desired.
Infuse the fruit in vodka
It is high in pectin content which makes it ideal for jams, preserves, custard and jellies.
Make sea buckthorn syrup. Boil the berries and strain them. Press out the juice, and then simmer in sugar until a syrupy consistency is achieved. Use this syrup as the basis for tarts and sorbets. Or, add to sodas and even champagne.
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