Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is a plant that grows in cold climates such as China and Russia and it grows beautifully in Canada too! Its leaves, oil and berries it produces can all be used as a herb or for medicinal purposes. This plant strictly known as a deciduous shrub, produces vivid orange berries in the common variety, that are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids, and fatty acids. Consuming the berries, and using the leaves and the oil from the sea buckthorn plant is associated with many wonderful health benefits, including; the prevention and treatment of cancer, boosting cardiovascular health, and treating wounds.

The compounds in the sea buckthorn berry may also possess therapeutic activities including being able to reduce free radical damage, offer anti-inflammatory properties and ant-irradiation effects, treat GI ulcers, act as a liver protectant, modulate platelet aggregation (prevents blood clots), and immunomodulation (enhances the immune system and fight inflammation).

Natural Inflammation Fighter

Sea buckthorn may have healing properties on some chronic diseases due to its anti-inflammatory properties. A 2008 study on sea buckthorn found a reductive effect on serum C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Inflammation is a problematic marker of arthritis, which can cause painful and swollen joints. However, a 2005 study showed that sea buckthorn leaf extract has a significant anti-inflammatory activity and has the potential for the treatment of arthritis.

Cancer Inhibitor

In addition to having anti-inflammatory properties, sea buckthorn has also been shown to be useful in preventing the development of tumors. A 2007 study showed that sea buckthorn strongly inhibited the growth of various cancer cells, including those of the stomach, prostate, intestine, and breast. The high antioxidant content in sea buckthorn is what aids in the prevention of cancer. Antioxidants dismember free radicals that circulate in the body by attaching to them and removing their hydrogen (saturated) bond. This helps improve the environment or pH level of the body and prevents the likelihood of acidosis from occurring, which can be detrimental to a person’s overall health.

Digestive Health Helper

The oil that is produced by the sea buckthorn plant has been shown to have many benefits for individuals who suffer from digestive ulcers. Research indicates that sea buckthorn oil increases mucosal repair in the gut, inhibits gastric liquid, promotes wound healing, and prevents mucosa damage. This is especially important in patients who suffer from digestive health issues, as the gut mucosa acts as a protective layer in the digestive tract and a damaged gut mucosa can lead to infections and the potential development of chronic diseases.

Further Additional Uses

There are many other positive benefits to health reported from the use of sea buckthorn oil including; skin relief for sunburns, acne, rosacea, insect bites and minor skin irritations. The plant, leaves and berries have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to slow down the aging process and relieve the side effects of harsh conventional cancer treatment. The seeds and oil from sea buckthorn have even been used to treat asthma, high cholesterol, and as an expectorant. You can even go onto make a refreshing immune boosting tea out of its leaves as it contains vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, fatty acids and minerals which all work together to keep our immune system primed and ready for action.

Click here to see some of my favorite ways to use the Incredible Edibles® Sea Buckthorn Berries