
Image: @paiskincare
Romans put a lot of faith in a certain berry, which was believed to contain the strength of Sun deity Sol and was allegedly gifted to men by no one other than Mars, the god of warfare himself. A staple ingredient in the warriors’ diet during battle, it was believed to replenish military might and prowess.
Traditional Asian medicine used this sunshine-packed berry to restore vitality, as well as to treat intoxication and diseases associated with the blood, heart and lungs. It was equally popular in Tibet, where this flaming orange fruit helped the human body adapt to the conditions of high altitude.
What we are referring to is nothing other than sea buckthorn, which has somewhat lost its popularity since the ancient times. As you will see on closer inspection, its unquestionable benefits for our skin are well worth the consideration. It can also come in handy in baking, or in the form of a sunny tea or syrup.
Sea buckthorn (or Hippophaë rhamnoides in Latin) is particularly abundant in Siberia and the Caucasus region. No wonder then that the indigenous Siberian population has passed down so many legends associated with its golden fruit. In ancient times, sea buckthorn harvesting was a strictly shamanic domain, given the precious powers attributed to it. According to these beliefs, its berries could even stop bleeding, while bringing an overall sense of calm and preserving strength.
Everything about this, however, is grounded in evidence. The very process of sea buckthorn picking is a task not for the faint hearted. The berries burst easily and turn to mush, not to mention the incredibly spiky branches they grow on. Although mystic insight has nothing to do with it, much patience and effort are certainly required to stock up on this gift of nature. The juice and oil of sea buckthorn does in fact possess wound healing properties, while mashed up berries can be effectively used to stop blood loss. Nature really is the best doctor.
Russian herbalists of the 15-17th centuries recommended using sea buckthorn to treat stomach, skin and eye diseases. Berry infused potions were used to bathe babies, protecting their sensitive skin from inflammation, dryness and peeling. Some savvy women would have also used it as a hair rinse.
In the kitchen, sea buckthorn berries came in handy in the form of various infusions, homemade fruit drinks (kompots) and herbal teas. It was later discovered that it can also be used to make incredibly fragrant jams and syrups, which has given it a local nickname “Siberian pineapple” for its aroma. Legends and old wives’ tales aside, let us turn to some facts.
Although we would prefer to avoid such now hackneyed words as “superfood” or “powerhouse foods”, this is somewhat inevitable when it comes to sea buckthorn. Modern medicine and professional cosmetology simply cannot praise this fiery berry and its oil enough.
The chemical constituents of sea buckthorn are astounding to say the least. Its oil contains almost 190 biologically active ingredients, including palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, stearic, arachidic, malic and citric acid. Vitamins contained include: A, C, D, E, F, K, P, B1, B2, B6. In addition, it houses such powerful antioxidants as zinc, iron, calcium, selenium, copper and tanning agents.
Given such a rich list of ingredients, the benefits of the berries and oil on our health and appearance seem common sense. And there is substantial evidence to support that.
Chemical research carried out in Poland in 2017 has demonstrated that sea buckthorn berries and oil support the functioning of the immune system and fight infection. Given that sea buckthorn oil contains almost 20 times the amount of vitamin C contained in a single orange, this adds up.
Sea buckthorn berries benefit our heart, improving circulation and expelling toxins from the body, while encouraging oxygen absorption into our skin. Due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids, sea buckthorn oil also promotes skin regeneration and reduced cholesterol in the blood. And it does not stop there. Further research has also demonstrated sea buckthorn’s benefits as a mood booster thanks to its apparent antidepressant qualities.
Research carried out in 2019 by scientists at the University of Barcelona confirmed that fatty acids contained in sea buckthorn oil are invaluable when it comes to cell membrane connection, transportation of vital energy and nutrients, and regulation of lipid concentration in plasma. The presence of omega-6 and high content of the rare omega-7 makes it a truly unique ingredient.
Another group of researchers from Finland has demonstrated the use of sea buckthorn oil to significantly improve dry eye syndrome. Volunteers were administered 2 g of sea buckthorn oil a day over the course of three months. The result was a reduction in such symptoms as burning, a gritty sensation and redness, which has profound implications for our tech savvy digital age.
Despite its huge benefits, sea buckthorn does have several counterindications. It cannot be consumed if you have cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis and cholelithiasis. It should also not be taken if your stomach is too acidic or during relapse of gallbladder or liver diseases.
Multiple studies on the skin benefits of sea buckthorn oil demonstrate that it can tackle a broad spectrum of concerns.
Sea buckthorn oil is a valuable discovery. However, prior to diving into its many benefits, make sure to carry out an allergy test. This is especially the case for those with sensitive skin prone to inflammation. If no redness or itchiness occurs within a 48-hours period, add products containing sea buckthorn into your beauty routine to your heart’s content.