Sea Buckthorn
Uses
Parts Used & Where Grown
Our proprietary "Star-Rating" system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
3 Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2 Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1 Star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:
Used for | Why |
---|---|
2 Stars
Burns
Refer to label instructions
|
Sea buckthorn extracts may speed the healing of skin injuries, including burns.
In animal studies, sea buckthorn extracts have been shown to speed the healing of skin injuries, including burns. In a controlled trial, people treated for burns with dressings containing sea buckthorn oil had greater pain relief and faster healing than those treated with a standard burn dressing.
|
2 Stars
Cardiovascular Disease
10 mg three times daily of a flavonoid extract of sea buckthorn for six weeks
|
Sea buckthorn berries, their oil, or flavonoid-rich extracts of the fruit have lowered biochemical indicators of increased cardiovascular risk in some, though not all, preliminary and double-blind human studies.
Sea buckthorn berries, their oil, or flavonoid-rich extracts of the fruit have lowered biochemical indicators of increased cardiovascular risk in some, though not all,preliminary and double-blind human studies. In a preliminary trial, people with heart disease who took 10 mg three times daily of a flavonoid extract of sea buckthorn for six weeks had less chest pain, lower blood cholesterol, and improved heart function. Double-blind research is needed to confirm these findings.
|
2 Stars
Dry Eye Syndrome
2 grams per day of sea buckthorn oil for three months
|
Sea buckthorn oil contains large amounts of essential fatty acids that are thought to be helpful for both preventing dry eye syndrome and reducing its severity.
Sea buckthorn oil contains large amounts of essential fatty acids that are thought to be helpful for both preventing dry eye syndrome and reducing its severity. In a double-blind trial, people who took 2 grams per day of sea buckthorn oil for three months had reduced abnormalities in tear composition and some improvement in symptoms of redness and burning.
|
2 Stars
Liver Cirrhosis
15 grams three times daily of sea buckthorn extract
|
Preliminary research suggests that sea buckthorn may improve indicators of liver damage.
Sea buckthorn has been shown to protect the liver from damage in animal studies, and to reduce blood indicators of liver damage in preliminary human studies.. In a controlled trial, 80% of people with cirrhosis who took 15 grams three times daily of sea buckthorn extract (potency or standardization not stated) had blood indicators of liver damage return to normal within six months, compared to 56% of a group taking a B-complex vitamin.
|
2 Stars
Type 1 Diabetes
Refer to label instructions
|
Animal and preliminary research suggests a connection between sea buckthorn and improved measures of blood sugar control.
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a source of antioxidant polyphenols, and laboratory and animal studies suggest extracts from sea buckthorn have a positive impact on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In one study, a sea buckthorn extract was found to lower the rise in blood glucose that occurs after a meal in healthy men. In a preliminary trial, children with type 1 diabetes who consumed a concentrated mixture of sea buckthorn berries and blueberries (concentration and relative proportions not stated) for two months had improved blood measures of glucose control. Double-blind research using sea buckthorn alone is needed to confirm these findings and to determine an effective per day amount of sea buckthorn.
|
1 Star
Common Cold and Sore Throat
Refer to label instructions
|
Sea buckthorn has been shown in animal studies to have immune system-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties, though a clinical trial did not find benefit.
Sea buckthorn has been shown in animal studies to have immune system-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties that might help prevent or relieve the common cold. However, in a double-blind trial, healthy people who consumed 28 grams per day of pureed sea buckthorn berries for three months had the same number and duration of common cold episodes as a group consuming a placebo puree. Sea buckthorn does not appear to be effective for preventing or relieving the common cold.
|
1 Star
Eczema
Refer to label instructions
|
Sea buckthorn oil contains large amounts of essential fatty acids that are important to skin health inflammation control.
Sea buckthorn oil contains large amounts of essential fatty acids that are important to skin health and control of inflammation, and has constituents that, according to test tube and animal research, could influence the immune system abnormalities underlying skin conditions such as eczema. Double-blind studies have investigated a sea buckthorn extract taken by mouth and a topical application of sea buckthorn. In one study, people with eczema who took 5 grams per day of sea buckthorn pulp oil for four months had reduced symptoms of eczema, but their improvement was no better than in those taking a placebo. In another study, people with eczema applied daily to the affected area either a 10% sea buckthorn cream, a 20% sea buckthorn cream, or a placebo cream. After four weeks all groups had small reductions in the severity of eczema symptoms, but the sea buckthorn creams were no more helpful than the placebo cream.
|
1 Star
High Cholesterol
Refer to label instructions
|
Sea buckthorn contains flavonoids and essential fatty acids that may influence blood cholesterol according to animal and preliminary human research.
Sea buckthorn contains flavonoids and essential fatty acids that may influence blood cholesterol according to animal and preliminary human research. In a double-blind trial, people with normal blood cholesterol who consumed 28 grams per day of pureed sea buckthorn berries for three months experienced no change in their blood cholesterol. Similarly, a double-blind trial of 300 ml per day of sea buckthorn berry juice found no cholesterol-lowering effect in people with normal blood cholesterol. Double-blind studies of people with high cholesterol are needed to determine whether sea buckthorn is an effective treatment for this condition.
|
1 Star
Hypertension
Refer to label instructions
|
Research suggest that flavonoids from sea buckthorn may have blood pressure–lowering effects.
Test tube, animal studies, and preliminary human research suggest that flavonoids from sea buckthorn may have blood pressure–lowering effects. In a controlled trial, a group of overweight women, some of whom had high blood pressure, consumed for one month either 100 grams per day of fresh sea buckthorn berries, or an equivalent amount of sea buckthorn oil or sea buckthorn berry extract. None of these forms of sea buckthorn had any blood-pressure lowering effect on the group as a whole. Double-blind research in people with hypertension is needed to clarify the possible benefits of sea buckthorn for this condition.
|
1 Star
Peptic Ulcer
Refer to label instructions
|
Sea buckthorn contains flavonoids and other constituents that promote healing. It has been associated with peptic ulcer improvement, though more research is needed.
Sea buckthorn contains flavonoids and other constituents that promote healing, and sea buckthorn oil has been shown to both prevent and heal peptic ulcers in animal studies. Direct application of sea buckthorn oil to ulcers during medical treatment with endoscopy has been reported to improve results, but no studies of treating peptic ulcers with sea buckthorn oil supplements have been done.
|
Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)
How It Works
How It Works
How to Use It
Where to Find It
Interactions
Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds
Interactions with Medicines
Side Effects
Side Effects
References
1. Suomela JP, Ahotupa M, Yang B, et al. Absorption of flavonols derived from sea buckthorn (Hippophaërhamnoides L.) and their effect on emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease in humans. J Agric Food Chem 2006;54:7364-9.
2. Suryakumar G, Gupta A. Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Sea buckthorn (Hippophaerhamnoides L.). J Ethnopharmacol 2011;138:268-78.
3. Yang B, Kallio HP. Fatty acid composition of lipids in sea buckthorn (Hippophaërhamnoides L.) berries of different origins. J Agric Food Chem 2001;49:1939–47.
4. Johansson AK, Korte H, Yang B, et al. Sea buckthorn berry oil inhibits platelet aggregation. J NutrBiochem 2000;11:491-5.
- Top of the page
-
Next Section:
How It Works
-
Previous Section:
Uses - Top of the page
-
Next Section:
Interactions
-
Previous Section:
How It Works - Top of the page
-
Next Section:
Side Effects
-
Previous Section:
Interactions - Top of the page
-
Next Section:
Related Information
-
Previous Section:
Side Effects - Top of the page
-
Next Section:
References
-
Previous Section:
Related Information - Top of the page
-
Next Section:
-
Previous Section:
References - Top of the page
Last Review: 03-24-2015
Copyright © 2020 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.
Learn more about TraceGains, the company.
The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2020.