Do you know the health benefits of sea buckthorn? For those who still do not know sea buckthorn, it is a deciduous shrub also scientifically known as Hippophae rhamnoides, which belongs to the family of Elaeagnaceaes and that grows in the cold and arid areas of different regions of Europe and Asia. Although it has sea buckthorn, it is a shrub that has many parts such as the bark, leaves and flowers, its fruits or berries are where most of its nutritional wealth is concentrated, where its composition in omega 7 stands out.
Due to this nutritional wealth, sea buckthorn has been used since ancient times to make different medicinal remedies. Do you want to know what this plant is for? In the following oneHOWTO article we will tell you about the sea buckthorn, its properties and contraindications. Read on and discover everything you need to know about this medicinal plant.
Nutritional composition of sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn, also known as Hippophae rhamnoides, is a thorny deciduous shrub that is used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times and also today due to its nutritional composition or active ingredients:
- Fatty acids: sea buckthorn is rich in palmitic acid, linoleic acid (omega 9), linolenic acid (omega 3) and linoleic acid (omega 6). However, one of the most prominent compounds in sea buckthorn is omega 7 (palmitoleic acid), a monunsaturated fatty acid with different properties for skin and health.
- Flavonoids: highlights its content in quercetin, isorhamnetin and kaempherol.
- Carotenoids: It has b-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene.
- Vitamins: It is rich in vitamin C and E but also has a good supply of other vitamins such as A, B1 and K.
- Minerals: it has mainly iron and potassium.
Sea buckthorn for health: properties and benefits
Now that we know the nutrients that make up this shrub, then we will explain some of the properties of sea buckthorn for health:
Improves respiratory diseases
Sea buckthorn is a plant rich in flavonoid, which gives it excellent analgesic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that promote the healing of different respiratory infections such as asthma. In addition, thanks to these properties, it helps to alleviate some of the typical symptoms of common colds such as coughs and sore throats.
Helps prevent and improve heart conditions
Another of the properties for which remedies made with sea buckthorn are used is its cardioprotective effect that improves blood circulation and prevents some heart problems since it reduces both cholesterol levels and triglycerides in the blood.
Increase defenses
Another of the cardioprotective benefits that this plant has (especially sea buckthorn oil made with its fruits) is that it manages to stimulate our immune system. Thanks to these cardioprotective properties, sea buckthorn improves our body’s defenses and prevents the appearance of infections.
It is a natural diuretic
Sea buckthorn is also considered as an excellent remedy for our liver. Thanks to its richness in flavonoids, this thorny shrub has powerful diuretic properties that favor the detoxification of liver cells.
If you need to take diuretics and want to improve your diet so that through food you can achieve this effect, we recommend that you also consult this other oneHOWTO article on diuretic foods to lose weight and eliminate fluids.
Sea buckthorn for skin – properties and benefits
In addition to the aforementioned health benefits, both the fruits and the leaves of this shrub are also used as a natural treatment for the care of our skin (especially the sea buckthorn oil).
Thus, it is worth highlighting the following properties and benefits of sea buckthorn for the skin:
- Antioxidant properties: Thanks to its richness in flavonoids and fatty oils such as omega 7, sea buckthorn has powerful antioxidant properties that reduce cellular oxidation caused by free radicals and, therefore, prevent premature aging of our skin.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: sea buckthorn oil is an excellent remedy for some skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis, since its anti-inflammatory power relieves some of its symptoms such as inflammation, itching and dryness of the affected skin.
- Regenerative properties: Due to its great richness in omega 3, 6 and 7 fatty acids, sea buckthorn promotes cell regeneration and helps wounds heal more quickly due to its healing power.
- Moisturizing properties: Thanks to its composition of fatty acids and antioxidants, this medicinal plant has moisturizing properties that help nourish and moisturize the mucous membranes of the skin. This benefit makes sea buckthorn an excellent remedy for those skins that are especially dry. If you have this common skin problem, dryness, we recommend this other oneHOWTO post in which we tell you how to hydrate your skin with home remedies.
Sea buckthorn: adequate dose and contraindications
Currently we can consume sea buckthorn berries in syrup, capsules with oil extracted with them or in the form of an infusion. As with any other remedy, it is important to know the recommended daily doses To avoid possible adverse health effects:
- In the event that you consume sea buckthorn syrup, it is recommended that you take between 2 and 3 tablespoons a day.
- If you want to make an infusion with hawthorn berries, you will have to use between 40-50 grams per liter of water.
Regarding the contraindications of sea buckthorn, have not yet been described any fully proven. However, the consumption of this plant is not recommended in pregnant or lactating women, or in children under 10 years of age.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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