This is Part 5 in a series of Seven+ Superfoods. Previously, we have learned about Gac, Fucoidan, Mangosteen, and Acai
This post is dedicated to Sea Buckthorn, also known as “Potent Golden Berry From The Mountains of China and Russia” or Hippophae L.
Why is Sea Buckthorn a Superfood?
Well I don’t know about you, but berries which contain 190 varieties of health-promoting bioactive substances earns the title “superfood” in my book. 106 of these substances are found in the oil of the berry and include 6 different fat-soluble vitamins, 22 fatty acids, 42 kinds of lipids, and 36 kinds of flavonoids and phenols.
Sea Buckthorn contains more Vitamin A than any other food in the plant kingdom.
Sea Buckthorn has 15X the Vitamin C as an orange - more than any other food, as well as high amounts of Vitamins E and K and a wonderful balance of Omega 3, 6, 7 and 8.
Used by natives for centuries for mucous membrane issues that are now backed by science, Sea Buckthorn is helpful in healing and repairing:
- esophagitis
- Barrett’s esophagus
- acid reflux/GERD
- peptic ulcers
- gastritis
- ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- mouth ulcers and sores
- sore throat and strep throat
- diverticulosis and diverticulitis
Sea Buckthorn oil is great when used topically for dermatitis, eczema, acne and sunburns
Sea Buckthorn’s best whole-body health features are that it is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, analgesic, and regenerative, as well as anti-allergic, and full of antioxidants.
What can Sea Buckthorn Help With?
Including the above, Sea Buckthorn can help with:
- improving blood circulation and lowering blood pressure
- lowering cholesterol and triglycerides
- new cell growth
- effects of aging
- relieve coughs
- digestive aid
- eczema and severe dry skin
- combating stress
- lowering cortisol secretion
- anti-inflammatory, acts as a pain reliever
- wound healing and tissue regeneration
(scroll down for scientific studies)
Where does Sea Buckthorn come from?
Sea Buckthorn’s bright orange berries can be found in the mountains of Russia and China.
Chinese natives have been using Sea Buckthorn for centuries. Ghengis Kahn attributed the vitality of his warriors to this berry.
Where can I get Sea Buckthorn?
Right in your yard if you live in the mountains of Russia and China (and if so, please send me some, will you?).
Otherwise, we’re looking for sources locally or online. As usual, I’ll pop on amazon to search.
I see a Sea Buckthorn seed oil, but remember the oil in the berries is the potent part of the plant.
There is a liquid supplement, but it’s just the juice. You can tell by the Vitamin A content listed, it’s not very potent. Recommended dose is 1-3 ounces a day, and the bottle holds 25 ounces. At $23/bottle, it’s not very economical, and not an effective way to get the benefits from Sea Buckthorn.
Another supplement in the form of soft gels uses the berry oil, but dilutes it with the seed oil.
I found a juice, and thought I hit the jackpot, but you can tell by the Vitamin A content, it isn’t pure. They actually list “puree, concentrate, pulp, and seed oil” as ingredients. At $31/bottle, no thank you.
Finally, I found a powder that looks promising, but since it’s not listed as “raw” I am assuming heat was involved. As we know, heat kills vitamin C and antioxidants, and that doesn’t leave much in the way of potency.
I am just not seeing anything pure, folks! Everything listed has additives and is diluted.
Where does Lea get Sea Buckthorn?
I personally choose to get my Sea Buckthorn in extract form via eXfuze’s Seven+ as it also contains many other botanical superfoods extracts including Mangosteen, Goji, Fucoidan (Brown Seaweed), Noni, Gac, Acai, Grape Seed, Pomegranate, Wild Blueberry, and Aloe all in one concentrated dose.
Seven+’s botanical superfood supplement combines potent, organically-grown and wild-crafted extracts to ensure maximum absorption.
Why are extracts so important? Unlike juices which take nutrients from the pulpy fruit part, extracts also retrieve the nutrients from the rind where most of the beneficial properties lie.
And sometimes as important is what a supplement does NOT have. Seven+ does not have sodium benzoate (toxic when combined with Vitamin C), MSG, high fructose corn syrup or any other artificial sweeteners, chemicals, synthetic vitamins. Seven+ is Kosher Certified, non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Vegan, and only 1g of carbs per serving, making it safe for diabetics!
As a more economical option, I prefer the concentrated liquid botanical extract version that eXfuze makes because I am confident the quality can’t be beat – and hey, who doesn’t like their dollar stretched? 
Retail customers can get a bottle of Seven+ Classic for $40 (although I personally use the PRO version for $45). Preferred customers only pay $37 for a bottle of Seven+ Classic (PRO is $42). At one concentrated 3/4 ounce dose per day, a bottle lasts a full month.
Or, get yours free when you Take the eXfuze Challenge and get four friends to join with you. I am using the Get Up & Go Pak and am loving it! Learn more here.
Just announced: you can now join eXfuze for FREE until 2/6. E-mail me!
Learn more about Seven +: What is Seven+, Why Do I Need It, and How Do I Get Some?
What Does Science Say About Sea Buckthorn?
| AbstractThe effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae), leaf aqueous extract were examined in rats for its adaptogenic activity and toxicity. Dose dependent adaptogenic study of extract was carried out at different doses administered orally, 30min prior to cold (5 degrees C)-hypoxia (428mmHg)-restraint (C-H-R) exposure. After sub-acute toxicity studies on 10 and 20 times doses of maximal effective dose administered for 14 days (single oral dose of 1g/kg and 2g/kg once daily) and maximal effective dose administered for 30 days (single oral dose of 100mg/kg once daily), biochemical and hematological parameters were studied in the serum and blood. The maximal effective adaptogenic dose of the extract was 100mg/kg body weight. No significant changes were observed in organ weight/body weight ratios, of any vital organ studied (except liver and kidney in 1g/kg and 2g/kg body weight doses, respectively), and biochemical and hematological parameters of the sub-acute drug treated animals in comparison to control rats. In acute toxicity study LD(50) of the extract was observed to be >10g/kg when given orally. These results indicate that seabuckthorn leaf aqueous extract possess potent adaptogenic activity with no toxicity even after sub-acute (30 days) maximal effective dose administration. |
| AbstractThis study was designed to determine the cytoprotective activity of flavones of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tert-BOOH), used as an oxidant to induce oxidative damage, with lymphocytes as the model system. Addition of tert-BOOH (250 microM) to the cells resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity and free radical production. The intracellular calcium levels, caspase activity, and apoptosis were significantly increased following tert-BOOH treatment. Seabuckthorn flavones at the concentration of 100 microg/mL significantly inhibited tert-BOOH-induced cytotoxicity and free radical production and also restored the antioxidant status to that of control cells. Seabuckthorn flavones also significantly restricted tert-BOOH-induced apoptosis by decreasing intracellular calcium levels and caspase activity. The extract also decreased tert-BOOH-induced formation of DNA breaks by 30%. These observations suggest that the flavones of seabuckthorn have marked cytoprotective properties, which could be attributed to the antioxidant activity. |
Effect of seabuckthorn extract on scopolamine induced cognitive impairment.
| AbstractPresent study involves evaluation of effects of 75% ethanolic extract of seabuckthorn [Hippophae rhamnoides L. (SBT)] leaves on scopolamine induced cognitive impairment in rats using three different oral doses i.e. 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight through assessment of various biochemical and behavioural parameters. Scopolamine administration resulted in an increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity (approximately 9% with respect to the control group) and malonaldehyde (MDA) content. The increased AChE activity was significantly reduced in animals receiving 200 and 100 mg/kg of SBT extract. Animals treated with SBT extract showed significantly reduced MDA level in all the doses. This reduction in MDA content indicates that SBT leaf extract has potent antioxidant activities and exhibits a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by scopolamine. Behavioural studies also indicated significant improvement. The results suggest that SBT leaf extract has potential effects against scopolamine induced cognitive impairment by regulating cholinergic marker enzyme activity (AChE activity) and promoting the antioxidant system and may be explored for its use in cognitive disorders. |
Find more studies here: Sea Buckthorn on PubMed.
So tell me, where are YOU getting your Sea Buckthorn?
Next week we’ll discuss another superfood - Goji. Stay tuned!
In case you missed it, here is Part 1: Gac, Part 2: Fucoidan, Part 3: Mangosteen, and Part 4: Acai.
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proud contributor |
| Lea Harris founded Nourishing Treasures in 2006. A mom passionate about her family's health and well-being, Lea believes education is power. Encouraging others to take baby steps in the right direction of health for their families, Lea's goal is to raise awareness of what goes into our mouths and on our bodies, providing natural alternative information that promotes health and prevents disease by using traditional foods and nature's medicine.
Lea is a Certified Health Coach graduate from Beyond Organic University, and a Certified Aromatherapist graduate from Aromahead Institute. "Like" Nourishing Treasures on Facebook, join the Nourishing Treasures Group on Facebook, follow @NourishTreasure on Twitter, and subscribe to our newsletter. You can also find me on Learning About Essential Oils forum, and Fido Fermentation Facebook group. Disclaimer: I use affiliate links wherever possible. So if you click on a link, and make a purchase, I might make a small commission, but it doesn't cost you any more. |
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