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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Sea buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

Family ElaeagnaceaeParts used Fruit, Leaf, SeedAlso known as common sea buckthorn, seaberry

This monograph compiles 6 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 6 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[4, 5, 6]
Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[4, 5, 6]
Antioxidant[4, 5, 6]
Emollient / skin-soothing[4, 5, 6]
Immunomodulator / immune support[4, 5, 6]
Vulnerary (wound healing)[4, 5, 6]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Blood sugar / diabetes support[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
Bruising[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

more plants for bruising →detailed sources →
Cardiovascular / heart health[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10
more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →
Cold & flu[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →
Eczema[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from emollient action

more plants for eczema →detailed sources →
Immune support[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10
more plants for immune support →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Metabolic support[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Wounds[4, 5, 6]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[4, 5, 6]Caution

Berries and juice are safe as food. Seed oil is safe topically and orally in moderate amounts. May have mild anticoagulant effects. May lower blood pressure and blood sugar — use caution with medications. Allergic reactions are rare.

Safety note[4, 5, 6]Info

Duke (2002) rates sea buckthorn as +++ and notes antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, and vulnerary activities at the experimental level (score 1). The berries are exceptionally rich in vitamins C (one of the highest natural sources) and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, and omega-7 fatty acids (palmitoleic acid). Duke recommends sea buckthorn as a 'food farmacy' — consumed as part of the regular diet for its nutritional-medicinal benefits. Its radioprotective properties have been studied, though without strong clinical validation. No significant safety concerns at food doses (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-0836, REF-0837, REF-0838

References & Sources

  1. Liu, L., Wen, T., Xiao, Y., Chen, H. et al (2024) 'Sea buckthorn extract mitigates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by suppression of ferroptosis via scavenging ROS and blocking p53/MAPK pathways', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 336, pp. 118726. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118726 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118726
  2. Wen, P., Zhao, P., Qin, G., Tang, S. et al (2018) 'Genotoxicity and teratogenicity of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berry oil', Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 43(4), pp. 391-397. doi:10.1080/01480545.2018.1497047 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1080/01480545.2018.1497047
  3. Gong, G., Guan, Y.Y., Zhang, Z.L., Rahman, K. et al (2020) 'Isorhamnetin: A review of pharmacological effects', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 128, pp. 110301. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110301 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110301
  4. Chodak, A (2014) 'Sea buckthorn — values and medicinal properties', 21(1), pp. 72--75. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  5. Rousi, A (1971) 'The genus Hippophae L.: a taxonomic study', 8(3), pp. 177--227. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  6. Zuñiga-López, M.C. et al (2021) 'Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) polysaccharides', 26(19). Traditional / reference
    Find this source

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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