Chances are you haven’t heard of sea buckthorn, the plant Greeks named “Pegasus fruit” after the winged horse feasted on its berries. As legend has it, there was a source of healing power to be gained along with a gleaming coat for any horse that indulged on them.
Today many people are praising it for its health benefits, including better hair and skin, improved cardiovascular health and increased immune function.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this nutritional powerhouse and discover why it deserves special consideration as part of a healthy lifestyle choice.
What is sea buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn is a unique, bright-orange berry, grown in colder areas of Asia and Europe. Its name is derived from the Latin word “Hippophae” meaning “horse shine” and was used for centuries to heal old ailing horses turning their coats to a brilliant shine in the process.
Oil is extracted from berries, leaves and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant and is often used as a remedy in ancient Chinese medicines. Sea buckthorn oil can be applied topically to the skin and hair or ingested to reap the best benefits.
But what’s in this divine “Pegasus fruit” that makes it so special? ( 1 )
Why sea buckthorn oil is so good for you
Sea buckthorn boasts a massive abundance of active ingredients with 190+ bioactive nutrients, 18 amino acids, 17 essential vitamins and 14 different minerals. It’s also a potent antioxidant shown to be 70 times stronger than Vitamin C. ( 2 )
And as if this wasn’t enough sea buckthorn oil is one of the very few plant foods that has all four Omega fatty oils in it, with a particularly high level of Omega 7. ( 3 )
The plant's seeds and leaves are rich in flavonoids such as heart-healthy quercetin, particularly good for lowering blood pressure. and is naturally full of antioxidants to help protect your body against ageing. ( 3 , 4 , 5 ,6)
OPC, a natural plant extract found in sea buckthorn oil is packed to the brim with Proanthocyanidins, Bioflavonoids, and Phenolic acids that contribute to a massive natural health boost.
Some of the most powerful vitamins and minerals abundant in sea buckthorn berries include:
- ● Potassium
- ● Calcium
- ● Magnesium
- ● Iron
- ● Phosphorus
- ● Folate
- ● Biotin
- ● Vitamins B1, B2, B6 C and E.
However, it’s the high concentration of Omega-7 which is the strongest active nutrient found in sea buckthorn that attracts the most attention. ( 7 )
“OPC and Omega-7 are the most miraculous actives in Sea Buckthorn”
- Dr Hywel Yuen -
Sea buckthorn oil is an excellent source of Omega-7
Omega-7, the lesser-known fatty acid than its famous fishy relative, Omega-3, is not found in a lot of foods, with the primary sources being sea buckthorn oil and macadamia nuts. However, it’s thought to be even more powerful than all of the other omegas and no wonder why. Aside from sharing the same amazing heart health benefits as Omega-3, Omega-7 has also been found to:
- Lower damaging inflammation
- Improve insulin resistance
- Reduce deep visceral fat
A round-up of Omega-7s kick-ass health benefits can be seen in the diagram below.
The following graph shows the levels of Omega-7 found in sea buckthorn in comparison to other highly dense food sources.
Sea buckthorn oil for radiant hair and skin
So were the Greeks onto something when they used sea buckthorn to give their horse's coats a new shiny lease of life? You most certainly bet they were. But it’s not only horses that can benefit.
You see the high concentration of Omega-7 found in sea buckthorn oil can rejuvenate our hair and skin too by nourishing from within. In fact, it can help slow down the ageing process of mature skin by hydrating and increasing its softness and elasticity leading to fewer deep wrinkles.
Sea-buckthorn oil strengthens the structure of hair making it an effective remedy against hair loss or even balding.
Sea buckthorn oil is also a rich source of antioxidants with high amounts of flavonoids, carotenoids and Vitamins C and E, all of which help lower inflammation and stop cell damage in its tracks. Furthermore, it has the potential to protect skin from the negative effects of free radicals caused by stress, smoking and environmental pollution.
The oil is effective in the treatment of a multitude of skin diseases and it supports the wound healing process. It can also be used to treat burns, frostbite, bedsores and skin damage, such as that resulting from sun exposure or x-rays. ( 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 )
But wait, sea buckthorn oil has a lot more to offer
Aside from amazing hair and skin, this nutrient-rich little berry is proven to be effective for many other aspects of our health and wellness.
Improves cardiovascular health
Due to its potent combination of unsaturated fatty acids and flavonoids, sea buckthorn oil is vital to protecting your ticker. Omega 3s in particular help to improve blood pressure, reduce plaque build-up, lower the rate of platelet aggregation, widen arteries, and decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke. ( 13 )
Decreases ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL)
As well as being a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, sea buckthorn oil is also loaded with phytosterols, carotenoids and flavonoids, which are known to have significant anti-atherogenic and cardioprotective activity.
An animal study performed on rabbits back in 2007 found that after 18 days of being given sea buckthorn oil there was a significant decline in plasma cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.
( 14 )
Supports normal function of the immune system
As a natural highly concentrated source of vitamin C, sea buckthorn oil is often used as a treatment for conditions that require an increased amount of ascorbic acid and as an agent supporting the function of the immune system. ( 15 , 16, 17 , 18 )
Sea buckthorn has been found to strengthen and accelerate immune response increasing resistance to illness. It also speeds up the regeneration of mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach, the large intestine, and the urinary tract. ( 19 )
Remedy for dry eyes
Dry eye is known to be affected positively by sea buckthorn, particularly when taken orally. In one study daily intake of sea buckthorn oil was shown to increase tear film in the cold season and positively affect redness and burning associated with dry eye. ( 20 )
Another study conducted in 2019 found that sea buckthorn oil relieved patients symptoms of Ocular Surface Disease (OSD). ( 21 )
Helps boost liver function
Sea buckthorn has shown numerous positive effects on the protection of the liver. A study published in the Society of Chemical Industry's Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture has found that extracts from the leaf have significant antioxidant and hepatotoxicity activity great for treating numerous liver diseases. ( 22 )
Start taking sea buckthorn oil— today!
So you want the luscious locks and glowing skin. Or maybe it’s the potential to dodge deadly heart disease. Heck, maybe you’d just like all the health benefits this king of berries has to offer. Well, there’s two things you need to start doing immediately.
Stop wasting your time and hard-earned cash on dermatological and anti-ageing creams!
Start taking a sea buckthorn supplement today!
Beauty is built from within.
And although Sea Buckthorn oil is the principal ingredient there are other quality ingredients in the formulation to help promote good health which will be reflected in your skin and hair.
O’Hisa which stands for Omega, Hair, Immunity, Skin and Anti-Aging is a high-quality natural supplement containing organic sea buckthorn oil (500mg per softgel). The product was formulated by award-winning fish oil manufacturer WHC to support skin and hair but its benefits run a lot deeper.
Some of its main key features include:
- ● Plant-based
- ● Contains organic sea buckthorn oil
- ● Rich in omega-7 and 9
- ● Loaded with vitamin B2, biotin & beta-carotene
- ● Includes hyaluronic acid
- ● Plus antioxidants zinc and copper
- ● Suitable for pesco-vegetarians
- ● Made with zero chemical solvents
Due to the high concentration of sea buckthorn found in this brilliant supplement, O’Hisa ensures you’re getting enough of the essential nutrients and minerals to radiate health and beauty inside and out— at any age!
And it couldn’t be easier to take. Just one softgel per day is all that’s required.
To Summarise
Sea buckthorn oil is a highly nutrient-dense, natural food source that can be used to improve the health of your hair, skin and heart. Its benefits may also help protect the liver and aid your immune system. Supplementing with a high-quality product is optimal to achieve the best results.
Written by Kieran Higgins, Health Writer.
Water for Health Ltd began trading in 2007 with the goal of positively affecting the lives of many. We still retain that mission because we believe that proper hydration and nutrition can make a massive difference to people’s health and quality of life. Click here to find out more.
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