Overview

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a plant found throughout Europe and Asia. The leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits are used as medicine.

Sea buckthorn contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C, as well as other active ingredients. It's been used traditionally to slow down the aging process.

People use sea buckthorn for burns, eczema, acne, indigestion, high blood pressure, wrinkled skin, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of uses.

Don't confuse sea buckthorn with other plants known as "buckthorn," including alder buckthorn, European buckthorn, and Cascara sagrada. These are not the same.



Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Burns. Applying a sea buckthorn cream seems to help burns heal faster.

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Neither taking sea buckthorn by mouth nor applying a sea buckthorn cream to the skin seems to help eczema.

There is interest in using sea buckthorn for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Sea buckthorn fruit is commonly consumed as food. Sea buckthorn fruit is used in jams, pies, drinks, and other foods. The oil extract of sea buckthorn fruit and seed is possibly safe when used for up to 90 days. There isn't enough reliable information to know if sea buckthorn leaf or leaf extracts are safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: Sea buckthorn fruit is possibly safe when used in a cream for up to 13 days. It might cause red or itchy skin for some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Sea buckthorn fruit is commonly consumed as food. Sea buckthorn fruit is used in jams, pies, drinks, and other foods. The oil extract of sea buckthorn fruit and seed is possibly safe when used for up to 90 days. There isn't enough reliable information to know if sea buckthorn leaf or leaf extracts are safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: Sea buckthorn fruit is possibly safe when used in a cream for up to 13 days. It might cause red or itchy skin for some people.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sea buckthorn is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Sea buckthorn is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 8 weeks in children 1-7 years of age.

Bleeding disorder: Sea buckthorn might slow blood clotting when taken as a medicine. It might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Surgery: Sea buckthorn might slow blood clotting when taken as a medicine. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using sea buckthorn at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Sea Buckthorn

    Sea buckthorn might slow blood clotting. Taking sea buckthorn along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Sea Buckthorn

    Sea buckthorn might lower blood pressure. Taking sea buckthorn along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

Dosing

Sea buckthorn has been used in extracts, fruit purees, seed oils, pulp oils, creams, and sprays. There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of sea buckthorn might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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