Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) – Hippophae Rhamnoides

Sea Buckthorn (also called Seaberry, botanically Hippophae Rhamnoides) is a popular natural medication used in the treatment and prevention of several diseases. Contrary to its name, Sea Buckthorn is not sourced from the sea. It is a shrub that belongs to the family, Elaeagnaceae. It grows widely in the coastal and mountainous regions of the Asian and European countries. It has been used in the Asia and Europe for several centuries for improving the health and preventing diseases. It is known for the potent anti-cancer effect produced by it. It can also be used for the treatment of several skin diseases like burns and wounds.

Phytochemistry (Chemical Composition)

Sea Buckthorn provides a rich source of several nutrients. It contains essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, selenium, iron, and manganese. It also contains a high amount of fiber and proteins.

It possesses an enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which acts as an antioxidant and helps to prevent the free radical damage. It is loaded with other powerful antioxidants such as phenols, glucosides, and terpenes.

It is one of the rare plant sources for the omega-3, -6, -7, and -9 acids. The seeds and fruits of Sea Buckthorn are rich in carotenoids, tocopherols, and tocotrienols.

Sea Buckthorn is an important natural source of polyunsaturated fatty acids that form an essential structural component of the mucous membranes. The fruits of this plant also contain monounsaturated fatty acids.

Sea Buckthorn Benefits and Uses

Sea Buckthorn can be used for the management of liver cancer. It is also used to treat skin diseases. It can help to relieve the symptoms of these diseases in a safe and effective manner.

Liver Cancer

Sea Buckthorn can be used for the treatment of liver cancer. It is a natural hepatoprotective agent. It helps to prevent damage to the liver cells due to toxins. This helps to prevent cancerous changes in the liver cells.

It has been found to prevent the conditions that can lead to liver carcinoma such as cirrhosis and hepatitis C. It can also help in the faster recovery of the patients suffering from liver cancer when used in combination with the conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

It can also be administered to the patients who have undergone surgery for liver cancer. It increases the success rate of these conventional treatments and prevents the relapse of cancer in the future.

How Does Sea Buckthorn Work in Liver Cancer?

Sea Buckthorn contains powerful phytonutrients. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and anti-cancerous elements. These properties of Sea Buckthorn help to protect the liver cells against the cancerous changes.

Sea Buckthorn reduces inflammation in the liver caused due to viral hepatitis, fatty liver diseases, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis thus preventing these conditions from progressing to cancer. The antioxidant action of this herb protects the liver against the free radical damage.

It also prevents the effect of toxins on the liver cells. It can protect the hepatic cells against the side effects of some medications. It also produces a liver-cleansing effect and boosts the functions of this organ.

Research studies conducted to evaluate the anticancer potential of Sea Buckthorn have shown encouraging results. During research, the anti-inflammatory, phyto-antioxidant, and anti-cancerous properties of the leaves and berries of this plant were evaluated. The hepatoprotective activity of the oil obtained from Sea Buckthorn against the toxicity caused by aflatoxin B1 was also investigated in broiler chickens.

The toxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 led to a lower serum protein levels along with reduced levels of albumin and increased levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase.

The chickens were treated with an extract of Sea Buckthorn. The subsequent histological examination of the liver showed a reduction of fatty formation and necrosis in the chickens. The immune-histochemical results showed a reduction in the signs of Aflatoxin B1 toxicity.

These findings suggest that Sea Buckthorn had hepatoprotective properties that helped in reducing the concentration of Aflatoxin B1 in the liver and diminished its adverse effect. These effects of Sea Buckthorn could be beneficial in the management of liver cancer. (1)

Skin Diseases

Sea Buckthorn can be used for the treatment of several skin diseases. It possesses healing properties. Hence, it is commonly used to treat wounds and ulcers. It also helps to reduce the risk of melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

It produces an anti-aging effect and delays the signs of aging. Regular use of Sea Buckthorn can help a person to appear younger than his or her actual age. Sea Buckthorn can also be used to treat sunburns, acne, eczema, and boils. It improves the health of the skin and reduces the symptoms caused due to these conditions.

How Does Sea Buckthorn Work in Skin Diseases?

Sea Buckthorn possesses anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces redness, itching, rashes, and swelling caused due to skin disorders such as eczema, and allergies. It supports the healing processes of the body. It stimulates the regeneration of the skin cells and allows for the faster healing of ulcers and wounds. It also acts as an anticancer agent. It induces apoptosis of the cancer cells in the skin thus limiting the symptoms of melanoma.

The healing properties of Sea Buckthorn that could be beneficial in the management of wounds were assessed during research. The safety and efficacy of this herb on the burn wounds were investigated in rats.

The Sea Buckthorn seed oil was administered to the rats in the dose of 2.5 ml per kg body weight orally. It was also applied topically on the experimental burn wounds in a dose of 200 Microliter for 7 days.

The results of this study showed that Sea Buckthorn seed oil could augment the healing process, which was evident by the significant increase in the wound contraction, and a rise in total protein contents. The histopathological findings confirmed the healing potential of this herb.

This research has proved that Sea Buckthorn possesses potent healing activity that could be beneficial in the treatment of wounds. (2)