Overview
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a plant found throughout Europe and Asia. The leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits are used as medicine.
Sea buckthorns contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C, as well as other active ingredients. It’s been used traditionally to slow down the aging process.
People use sea buckthorn for burns, eczema, acne, indigestion, high blood pressure, wrinkled skin, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of uses.
Don’t confuse sea buckthorn with other plants known as “buckthorn,” including alder buckthorn, European buckthorn, and Cascara sagrada. These are not the same.
Uses & Effectiveness
Possibly Effective for
Burns. Applying a sea buckthorn cream seems to help burns heal faster.
Possibly Ineffective for
Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Neither taking sea buckthorn by mouth nor applying a sea buckthorn cream to the skin seems to help eczema.
There is interest in using the sea buckthorn for several other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Sea buckthorn fruit is commonly consumed as food. Sea buckthorn fruit is used in jams, pies, drinks, and other foods. The oil extract of sea buckthorn fruit and seed is possibly safe when used for up to 90 days. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if sea buckthorn leaf or leaf extracts are safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Sea buckthorn fruit is possibly safe when used in a cream for up to 13 days. It might cause red or itchy skin for some people.
Doses
Sea buckthorn has been used in extracts, fruit purees, seed oils, pulp oils, creams, and sprays. There isn’t enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of sea buckthorn might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always safe, and dosage can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using it.
