What Is Sea Buckthorn?

Sea buckthorn (Hipphophae rhamnoides) is a thorny tree commonly found in Asia and Europe. Parts of the sea buckthorn tree have long been used in herbal medicine and cosmetics. The tree is thought to have medicinal properties, leading many people to use sea buckthorn in interesting ways, including jams, pies, and drinks.

Available in supplement form, sea buckthorn extract contains various essential fatty acids and antioxidants (including vitamin C, vitamin E, and anthocyanins).

This article discusses sea buckthorn's proposed uses, potential side effects, precautions, and dosage information.

Uses of Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or doctor. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

In herbal medicine, sea buckthorn has long been used to support the digestive system, enhance heart health, reduce inflammation, and treat skin disorders.

Sea buckthorn oil has also gained popularity as an ingredient in various skin care products. When applied topically, sea buckthorn oil is thought to have many benefits.

There is currently a lack of clinical trials testing both the medicinal and cosmetic effects of sea buckthorn. However, preliminary research has looked at several potential uses.

Eczema

Older studies suggest oral sea buckthorn supplements may help treat atopic dermatitis (eczema). For example, one 1999 study tested sea buckthorn pulp oil on 49 people with atopic dermatitis. Researchers observed significant improvement in eczema symptoms among those who took sea buckthorn supplements every day for four months.

However, other recent research suggests that supplements like sea buckthorn provide no benefit.

Wound Healing

Some nonhuman animal-based studies have suggested that sea buckthorn may promote wound healing when applied topically. For example, in a 2009 study, scientists found that topically applied sea buckthorn seed oil helped speed up the healing of burn wounds in rats.

However, it's important to mention that this study was not performed on humans. More human research using sea buckthorn would need to be done to make further conclusions about its effectiveness for wound healing in humans.

Blood Sugar

A 2021 human trial in China found that consuming a puree of sea buckthorn fruit for five weeks resulted in a slight decrease in fasting blood sugar. However, the study was small—including only 38 people. The participants had impaired glucose regulation (IGR), or pre-diabetes.

Another small study of 18 males (sex assigned at birth) suggested that sea buckthorn berries decreased and delayed the insulin response after eating.

The antioxidant components of sea buckthorn are thought to be responsible for its potential blood sugar-lowering effects. Overall, the research in this area has been limited, and more comprehensive studies are needed.

Cancer

According to a short review, sea buckthorn's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components are thought to have anti-cancer properties.

However, the review points out that the research thus far has been done on animals or in vitro (in a glass); this means human trials are needed before potential anti-cancer effects of sea buckthorn in humans can be confirmed.

Skin Care and Cosmetics

A 2017 review reported various skin uses of sea buckthorn. According to the review, topical sea buckthorn may be helpful in the following ways:

• Moisturizing the skin
• Easing irritation
• Treating acne
• Healing aging-related damage

The review notes that the antioxidants and fatty acids in sea buckthorn are helpful tools in skin care. The antioxidants are thought to remove free radicals and, thus, reduce the appearance of aging, while the fatty acids are said to add moisture to the skin.

Other Potential Uses

In addition to the above, studies have also looked at sea buckthorn's use in:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Inflammation
  

What Are the Side Effects of Sea Buckthorn?

You may decide to take sea buckthorn for various reasons. However, using a supplement like sea buckthorn may cause side effects.

Sea buckthorn fruit is likely safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods. The fruit is also likely safe when eaten for medicinal purposes.

However, little is known about the safety of consuming sea buckthorn extract or oil. Therefore, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider if you're considering using sea buckthorn supplements.

Common Side Effects

Few side effects of using topical or oral sea buckthorn have been reported.

One small human study reported that about 10% of participants experienced gastrointestinal symptoms after taking 3 grams (g) of sea buckthorn oil for three months.

Severe Side Effects

No severe side effects of sea buckthorn have been reported. Despite this, some of the possible interactions of sea buckthorn could pose an increased risk for adverse events for certain populations.

For example, small human studies and animal studies have shown signs of sea buckthorn's ability to act as a blood thinner. Because of this, people taking blood thinners may need to avoid sea buckthorn due to the risk of increased bleeding.

People taking blood sugar-lowering medications should also be cautious with sea buckthorn, as it may cause blood sugar to drop even more.

Consult your healthcare provider before starting sea buckthorn or other supplements, especially if you take other medications.

Precautions

Sea buckthorn supplements, ointments, or cosmetics may not be suitable for everyone.

It's especially important to seek advice from a healthcare professional before using sea buckthorn in children. While it may be safe, there is insufficient evidence to support this.

In addition, you should talk to a healthcare provider before starting sea buckthorn if you:

• Have low blood pressure
• Have a bleeding disorder
• Have an upcoming surgery
• Are taking any medications
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have diabetes

Much of the research on sea buckthorn has been performed on animals or very small groups of humans. Because of this, the complete list of potential precautions when using sea buckthorn is unknown.

Dosage: How Much Sea Buckthorn Should I Take?

There is insufficient scientific evidence about oral or topical sea buckthorn to determine safe or effective dosages.

In nonhuman animal studies, doses have ranged from 0.1 to more than 10 grams (g) per kilogram (kg) of body weight. But animal studies are not definitive evidence, and more human studies on the safe dosage of sea buckthorn are needed.

The right dose for you may depend on various factors, including your age, gender, and medical health. Therefore, working with a healthcare provider to determine the best dosage for you is essential.

What Happens if I Take Too Much Sea Buckthorn?

Because safe dosage ranges for sea buckthorn are unknown, it's also unclear what will happen if you take too much of it or if toxicity is possible in high doses.

Since sea buckthorn is not an essential nutrient regularly needed to maintain health, there is no defined upper limit (UL) for it.

Remember, though, that side effects may be more likely if you take more sea buckthorn than is recommended. The most commonly reported side effect of sea buckthorn is gastrointestinal upset.

Interactions

While there is no strong evidence of interactions with sea buckthorn, some research suggests it may interact with certain medications. This includes blood thinners and blood-sugar-lowering medications.

Blood Thinners

Sea buckthorn may reduce blood clotting, which can lead to increased bleeding. People taking blood thinners should be wary of taking sea buckthorn as doing so could increase their risk of bleeding.

Blood Sugar-lowering Medications

People with diabetes or who are on blood sugar-lowering medication should also talk to a healthcare provider about whether sea buckthorn is a suitable supplement. This is because some evidence points to sea buckthorn's ability to lower blood sugar. Blood sugar could become too low when taking sea buckthorn and blood sugar-lowering medication.

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement, like sea buckthorn, to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

How to Store Sea Buckthorn

It is recommended to store supplements and creams in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. Discard supplements and creams as indicated by the expiration date on the packaging.

If you use fresh sea buckthorn berries, store them like other food items.

Similar Supplements

Sea buckthorn is uniquely composed and contains various vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. But some other supplements and nutrients have similar proposed uses as sea buckthorn.

Similar supplements that may be used to help with eczema include:

• Probiotics
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E

Similar supplements that have been studied for wound healing include:

• Vitamin C
  
• Aloe vera gel

Similar supplements that may reduce inflammation include:

• Curcumin
• Spirulina
• Ginger

Because the proposed uses of sea buckthorn supplements and creams have a wide range, other supplements may offer similar benefits. It is unknown if sea buckthorn would interact with these or other supplements. Therefore, speaking with a healthcare provider about all the supplements you are taking or plan to take is best.

It's also important to remember that supplements are not a treatment or cure for any health condition. Although they may offer benefits, you should always follow your healthcare provider's recommended treatment plan.

Sources of Sea Buckthorn & What to Look For

Sea buckthorn contains many important nutrients your body needs daily, like vitamin A, vitamin E, and important unsaturated fats. It is always best to take a food-first approach to obtain all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Often, a healthy, well-balanced diet provides plenty of the nutrients in sea buckthorn.

Food Sources of Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is not widely found in foods sold in stores. You would most likely need to cook or bake your own recipes containing sea buckthorn to ingest it through food.

You may find jellies, jams, sauces, or beverages containing sea buckthorn at specialty grocery stores or online.

Keep in mind that since there is no recommended daily intake for sea buckthorn, it is unnecessary to use it as a supplement or add it to recipes unless otherwise advised.

Sea Buckthorn Supplements

You can find sea buckthorn supplements in various forms, including an oil or cream, a capsule, or a capsule combined with other herbal remedies. It is unknown which form of sea buckthorn is best or most beneficial, as research is still limited.

Sea buckthorn supplements are available online and in some natural-food stores. You can also find skin-care products containing sea buckthorn in many specialty beauty shops.

When choosing a sea buckthorn supplement, the label will include vital information, including the amount of active ingredients per serving as well as any other ingredients that have been added.

Since the U.S. government does not regulate supplements, it is best to look for a third-party seal of approval on the supplement label. Independent organizations, like U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International, help verify the product.

These groups will ensure that supplements:

• Were manufactured correctly
• Contain the ingredients listed on the label
• Do not have harmful levels of contaminants

Remember, a seal of approval from one of these organizations does not guarantee the product's safety or effectiveness.

Given the lack of supporting research, it is too soon to recommend sea buckthorn for any health condition. It's important to note that self-treating a condition with sea buckthorn and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious health consequences.

Summary

Sea buckthorn is an herbal supplement sometimes used for specific health and skin conditions. However, there is very little evidence that sea buckthorn is beneficial for these uses.

If you consider supplementing with sea buckthorn, check with a healthcare provider first, especially if you have health conditions or take medications. Supplements are unregulated, so read labels carefully and look for third-party seals of approval.

Often, a healthy, well-balanced diet provides plenty of the nutrients in sea buckthorn. You can always talk to your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian nutritionist about maintaining a more nutritious diet to ensure you get all the nutrients you need.