Preliminary findings suggest that Sea Buckthorn (particularly extracts of the oil, juice, leaves and bark) may help improve a wide variety of health conditions, including heart disease, cholesterol balance, high blood pressure, stroke, gingivitis, eye diseases, immune function and red blood cell production after chemotherapy.
The fruit of the plant has a high vitamin C content - about 12 times greater than the amount found in oranges which makes it one of the most enriched plant sources of vitamin C. The fruit also contains dense contents of carotenoids, vitamin E, amino acids, dietary minerals, β-sitosterol and polyphenolic acids.
RESEARCH
There are five areas of research that have been focal points for their use: as an aid to patients undergoing cancer therapy; a long-term therapy for reduction of cardiovascular risk factors; treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers; internal and topical therapy for a variety of skin disorders; and as a liver protective agent (for chemical toxins) and a remedy for liver cirrhosis.
CANCER THERAPY
Most research in this area has been done with laboratory animals. A group in India has published several reports on the potential of a Sea Buckthorn extract to protect the bone marrow from damage due to radiation. Their studies also showed that the extract may help speed up recovery of bone marrow cells.
Protective effect of RH-3 with special reference to radiation induced micronuclei in mouse bone marrow
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 2002 May
A study conducted in China suggested faster recovery of the hemopoietic system after high doses chemotherapy in mice fed the Sea Buckthorn oil.
Study on the effects of the oil from Hippophae rhamnoides in hematopoiesis
Chinese Herbal Drugs 2003
Preliminary laboratory studies have also found that the seed oil enhances non-specific immunity and provides anti-tumor effects.
Effects of Hippophae rhamnoides juice on immunologic and antitumor functions
1993 Acta Nutrimenta SinicaEffects of the total flavonoid of Hippophae rhamnoides on nonspecific immunity in animals
Shanxi Medical Journal 1989
More well-designed clinical studies with Sea Buckthorn are needed to determine its effectiveness on cancer patients in humans.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
In a double-blind clinical trial conducted in China, 128 patients with ischemic heart disease, patients showed a decrease in cholesterol levels and improved cardiac function with less angina than those receiving the control drug. The study indicated no harmful effect in renal or hepatic functions.
Treatment of ischemic heart diseases with flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides,
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 1987
Sea Buckthorn oil may result in reduced stress of cardiac muscle tissue by regulation of inflammatory mediators.
The inhibitory effect of total flavonoids of hippophae on the activation of NF-kappa ß by stretching cultured cardiac myocytes
Sichuan University Medical Journal 2003
In a laboratory animal study, the flavonoids of Sea Buckthorn were shown to reduce the production of pathogenic thrombosis in mice.
Inhibitory effects of total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides on thrombosis in mouse femoral artery and in vitro platelet aggregation
Life Sciences 2003
Formulas containing Sea Buckthorn have been developed recently for treating cardiac disorders. One such formula is a liquid preparation of Sea Buckthorn flavonoids with carthamus (safflower) and licorice, called Ai Xin Bao which is intended for use in treatment of coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, by improving blood circulation and restoring cardiac function.
GASTRIC ULCERS
Laboratory studies suggest that Sea Buckthorn is effective in the treatment of gastric ulcers. It is believed that it normalizes output of gastric acid and reduces inflammation by controlling pro-inflammatory mediators.
Antiulcerogenic effect of Hippophae rhamnoides
Phytother Res. 2001 Nov
Effects of Sea Buckthorn seed and pulp oils on experimental models of gastric ulcer in rats
Fitoterapia 2002
LIVER CIRRHOSIS
In one clinical trial, researchers found that that Sea Buckthorn extracts helped normalize liver enzymes, serum bile acids, and immune system markers involved in liver inflammation and degeneration. In other studies, Sea Buckthorn oil was shown to protect the liver from damaging effects of toxic chemicals.
Effect of Sea Buckthorn on liver fibrosis: a clinical study
World Journal of Gastroenterology 2003
Acute toxicity of flesh oil of Hippophae rhamnoides and its protection against experimental hepatic injury
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1990
CONCLUSION
There is a vast amount of experimental data confirming the important properties of Sea Buckthorn. It has the potential to play an important role in human health, but the studies are from from conclusive, and much more research on humans will be required. With such exceptional nutrient density, Sea Buckthorn is sure to be a focus of intense research and product development for years to come.
