Sea Buckthorn is a plant that produces berries as fruit.
Well, all parts of the Sea Buckthorn plant from seeds to fruit have been used
for medicinal purposes.
It is said that there are more than 200 types of nutrients contained in sea
buckthorn berry along with antioxidants, and fatty acids. Among them, vitamin
A, vitamin C, vitamin E are main. In particular, vitamin A is a nutrient that
is usually contained in animal foods. Fatty acids like Omega 3,6,7,9 are
present. Yes, it also contains the Omega 7 fatty acid, palmitic acid and
aspartic acid, which is often found in animals. Omega 7 is quite rare to find
in some fruits. Sea buckthorn fruit is the rarest fruit.
- In
all, it contains 18 kinds of amino acids, iron, potassium, calcium and dietary
fiber.
Sea Buckthorn is characterized by various nutrients that are used for heart
health, type 2 diabetes, skin problem, skin infection, inflammation, joint
pain, depression and many more.
Sea Buckthorn is famous in the cosmetic world. Sea buckthorn benefits to
support anti-ageing properties as well as healing from sunburn.
Sea buckthorn oil has been used in traditional
Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries.
The oil is mainly extracted from berries,
leaves, and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant (Hippophae rhamnoides), which is
found in the Himalayas. The main nutrients responsible for its health benefits
include vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and
amino acids.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, sea
buckthorn oil has been found beneficial in lowering cholesterol, strengthening immunity, and
helping with a wide range of other health conditions.
Here are the top 11 benefits of sea buckthorn
oil.
1. Improves heart health
Sea buckthorn oil may be beneficial in
promoting heart health due to the
following nutrients:
- Phytosterols,
which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that protect the
body from damage and disease
- Monounsaturated
and polyunsaturated fats, which may have the following benefits:
- Quercetin,
which may help lower the risk of heart disease
One study suggested that taking 0.75 mL of sea
buckthorn oil daily may help reduce blood pressure levels in people with hypertension along with total
and bad cholesterol levels.
2. Boosts the immune system
Sea buckthorn oil has a high concentration of
flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can strengthen your natural defenses
against viruses, bacteria, and other
disease-causing organisms.
Some animal and test-tube studies have reported
that sea buckthorn oil has shown activity against influenza virus and herpes virus. Sea
buckthorn oil has shown similar activity against gram-negative and
gram-positive bacteria. However, more human studies are needed to come to a
strong conclusion.
3. Promotes liver health
Sea buckthorn oil may boost liver health due to the
presence of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.
These substances protect liver cells from damage caused by hepatotoxins.
Hepatotoxins are substances that can contribute to liver damage and
include alcohol, painkillers, and
carbon tetrachloride.
Flavonoids present in sea buckthorn oil may
also reduce fatty deposits in the liver. In an animal study, sea buckthorn oil
was shown to cause a significant reduction in liver enzymes that may be
elevated with liver damage. However, more human studies are required to
determine the efficacy of sea buckthorn oil in promoting liver health.
4. Protects brain health
Due to the high levels of antioxidants such as
carotenoids, sterols, and polyphenols, sea buckthorn oil may help reduce
plaque deposition in the neural pathways and reverse the effects of dementia. Antioxidants protect
against damage to the brain cells caused by free radicals and inhibit the
degeneration of nerve cells, preventing or slowing cognitive impairment.
5. May have anti-cancer effects
Quercetin, one of the antioxidants in sea
buckthorn oil, has powerful cancer-fighting properties.
Other antioxidants such as flavonoids and vitamin E can also help combat cancer cells.
Animal studies have suggested that sea
buckthorn oil may reduce the damage of RBCs during chemotherapy, as well as
prevent the spread of cancer cells. However, more human studies are
needed to come to a strong conclusion.
6. May reduce blood sugar levels
Sea buckthorn oil may be effective in
preventing diabetes and maintaining
steady blood sugar levels.
In one animal study, sea buckthorn oil was
shown to help regulate insulin levels and
insulin sensitivity. Another study reported that drinking 3 ounces of sea
buckthorn fruit puree daily for 5 weeks reduced fasting blood sugar levels. This study was small in scale, however, and
further large-scale studies are needed to determine the effects of sea
buckthorn oil on blood sugar levels.
7. Promotes wound healing
Sea buckthorn oil may promote wound healing by
increasing blood flow to the affected area. Quercetin may accelerate wound
healing by stimulating the production of collagen and skin cell
repair.
Animal studies have shown that topical
application of the oil to burns can significantly
increase blood flow to the area, reducing pain and promoting
healing. However, other studies have had conflicting results.
8. Treats digestive problems
Sea buckthorn oil may have the following effects
on digestive health:
- Helps
treat stomach ulcers
- Maintains
healthy gut bacteria
- Reduces
inflammation
- Lowers
acidity levels in the gut
However, most of the studies done on sea
buckthorn oil have been done on animals, and more human studies are needed to
draw a strong conclusion.
9. May relieve menopause symptoms
Sea buckthorn oil may help relieve menopausal
symptoms such as vaginal dryness or atrophy caused
by low estrogen levels.
A double-blind study reported that women who
took sea buckthorn oil daily for 3 months showed improvement in their symptoms,
indicating a potential alternative for women who cannot tolerate estrogen
treatment.
10. May improve vision
Beta-carotene breaks down into vitamin A in the body,
which is essential for eye health. One study has linked the consumption of sea
buckthorn oil with reduced eye redness and burning.
11. May improve hair texture
The presence of lecithin in sea buckthorn oil
may reduce excessive oiliness in the scalp. It may also help
restore hair elasticity and repair damage.