The healthiest berry you never knew about: Sea Buckthorn

Article included from organicfacts.com

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a plant found throughout Europe and Asia traditionally used to slow down the aging process.⁰¹ It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C, as well as other active ingredients. What a great potential addition to the MLP Formulary! People can also use sea buckthorn for burns, eczema, acne, indigestion, high blood pressure, wrinkled skin, and many other purposes.⁰ Sea buckthorn oil is extracted from the berries, leaves, and seeds of the plant and contains omega fatty acids and vitamins that moisturize and regenerate skin tissue, making it great for many common skin conditions including eczema, sun damage, and psoriasis.³ Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, sea buckthorn oil has been found beneficial in lowering cholesterol, strengthening immunity, and helping with a wide range of other health conditions.² Sea buckthorn has potential applications such as promoting skin health, improving dry eye syndrome

Buckthorn berries are the most valuable part of sea buckthorn plants, which are a part of the Hippophae genus. The most commonly used species of the seven in the genus is Hippophae rhamnoides, which is a deciduous shrub and is found throughout Europe, Mongolia, and parts of China. Depending on where you are in the world, you may know the name of this plant as seaberry or sandthorn, but they’re all quite similar in terms of nutrient composition and physiological characteristics. The branches are stiff and thorny, while the leaves are of a long, thin, silver color. The berries of sea buckthorn, however, are small, orange, and only found on female plants.

These berries are actually considered superfruits due to their unbelievable concentration of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and organic acids, including flavonoids, phenolics, amino acids, and carotenoids. This diverse range of nutrients has also made buckthorn berries extremely versatile in the treatment of various health conditions and illnesses. An extract can be taken from the berries to be used in medicinal treatment, the berries can be consumed directly, or a tea can be made from the leaves, which also contain some of the same nutrient compositions. The use of buckthorn berries as an herbal remedy stretches all the way back to Genghis Khan! [1]

Health Benefits of Buckthorn Berry

Health benefits of buckthorn berry are as follows:

Anticancer Potential

Buckthorn berry juice may have the potential to reduce the risk of cancer, studies suggest. A team of researchers from India published a study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, which stated that the organic components of buckthorn berry have a high antioxidant content, which helps neutralize free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism. According to a study by researchers, Beata Olas, Bartosz Skalski, et al, published in the Frontiers in Pharmacology Journal,  buckthorn berry juice’s anti-cancer abilities cause cell-cycle arrest, so it cannot progress. Additionally, it has anti-proliferation properties and can induce apoptosis and stimulate the immune system. [2] [3]

Vitamin C Boost

Aside from boosting the immune system, buckthorn berry is also able to improve the health of your skin, the strength of your bones, and the resilience of your gums and teeth. Vitamin C-rich buckthorn plays an integral part in the formation of collagen, which is a crucial component of growth and repair throughout the body. Therefore, the high concentration of vitamin C in buckthorn berry makes it an all-around body booster that helps speed wound healing and recovery from injuries. [4]

Vision Health

Carotenoids are important antioxidants found in buckthorn berry that can protect your vision in a major way. Carotenoids slow down the progression of macular degeneration and prevent the development of cataracts, in addition to improving night vision! [5]

Heart Health

Buckthorn berry oil has been found to significantly improve cholesterol levels by helping reduce LDL cholesterol levels and keeping the fatty acid balance even in the body. By eliminating bad cholesterol, you can reduce your chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes, because there is less blockage in the arteries and blood vessels. Therefore, your blood pressure is also lowered, reducing tension on the entire cardiovascular system. [6]

Diabetes Control

Although research is still relatively new on this particular topic, buckthorn berry is very good at regulating blood sugar, meaning that for people suffering from diabetes, adding this delicious fruit to their diet is a great choice. By eliminating the peaks and drops in blood sugar, super-berries like buckthorn can help people live a more normal life! [7]

Circulation

Studies have also shown that the high levels of vitamin C in buckthorn berry can help increase the uptake of iron by the body, thereby ensuring a high, steady blood flow, as iron is a key ingredient in red blood cells. [8]

Stomach Health

If you suffer from upset stomach or gastric distress of any kind, buckthorn berry juice can quickly relieve discomfort and soothe inflammation. The anti-inflammatory capacity of this berry also helps relieve joint pain and sore muscles. [9]

Aging Process

The final bonus of this antioxidant-filled berry is its impact on the aging process. For those seeking younger-looking skin, or who want to eliminate age spots and wrinkles, the free radical-neutralizing antioxidants in buckthorn berry are perfect! Drinking buckthorn berry juice, adding the concentrated oil to other foods, or eating the berries themselves are all viable ways to stay young! [10]

Word of Caution: If you suffer from a bleeding disorder, buckthorn berry can be dangerous, as it slows down blood clotting. Also, if you already are taking blood pressure medication or suffer from hypotension, this berry might not be a great choice. As always, you should speak with a medical professional before making any major changes to your diet with powerful new superfoods!me, and preventing heart disease

Some other great vegan sources of nutrition to enjoy for their healthy omega content are:

1. Flax Seeds

One ounce of flax seeds contains 6,388 milligrams of omega 3, which is six times the RDA and blowing the 1,655 milligrams of omega 6 out of the water. Flax oil offers even more omega 3 – 7,196 milligrams per tablespoon!

2. Mustard Oil

Oils are generally rich in omega 6, so why not switch it up with an oil that offers more milligrams of omega 3 per omega 6? Mustard oil has 826 milligrams of omega 3 and 2,146 milligrams of omega 6 per tablespoon. Generally, this ratio is far higher. In olive oil, there are 103 milligrams of omega 3 and 1,218 milligrams of omega 6.

3. Seaweed or Algae

Seaweed is packed with omega-6 fatty acids. Spirulina, an algae, offers a healthy balance, with 58 milligrams of omega 3 and 88 milligrams of omega 6 per tablespoon.

4. Berries

Blueberries are the star among berries, providing 174 milligrams of omega 3 and 258 milligrams of omega 6 per cup.

5. Cabbage Family

The cabbage family is a surprising source of omega-3 fatty acids. Cauliflower packs in 208 milligrams of omega 3 and 62 grams of omega 6 per cup, cooked.