Are you searching for the health benefits of Sea Buckthorn? In this blog, we have shared some of the health benefits and tips for using Sea Buckthorn for Cooking.
Sea buckthorn is a spiny bush with orange-yellow berries and narrow and long leaves. Due to its ability to grow in cold temperatures, it is mostly found in Asia and Europe. The plant’s seed, pulp, and oil are known to contain bioactive compounds, and they fall under the same category as superfoods.
Sea Buckthorn has many names worldwide but is scientifically known as Hippophae rhamnoides. Not just names, it also has various applications and uses, each with varying benefits.
Sea Buckthorn is a healthy food containing vitamins, phytosterols, and carotenoids. Due to these properties, Sea Buckthorn is used in several cosmetic products, medicines, and cuisines.
Sea Buckthorn is consumed in different ways, including berries, oils, and even chemically processed products.
Nutritional Value Of Sea Buckthorn
Countless products are made using Sea Buckthorn and its various forms. The nutritional value of the products differs according to the form used to make them.
Both seed and pulp of the plant are quite rich in oil. The berry’s pulp has around 18.2-43.5% oil content while the seed has 7.03 -12.86%.
Phytochemical analysis of Sea Buckthorn berries showed 250-333 mg/100 g of vitamin C, 7.69-13.7% Seed oil, 19.2-29.1% Pulp oil, 0.5-25 mg/L Anthocyanin, and 3.3-5.5% phytosterol is present in seed oil.
The mineral element composition analysis showed 140-360 ppm potassium, 70-98 ppm calcium, 20-80 ppm sodium, 40-150 ppm iron, 150-240 ppm magnesium, and 110-133 ppm magnesium phosphorus. These values are quite high, and it is not common for these elements to be found in food at such levels.
Moreover, the oil extracted from Sea Buckthorn berries is known to have gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6), and palmitoleic acid (omega-7), which fall under the unsaturated category of fatty acids.
Health Benefits Of Sea Buckthorn
The many components of Sea Buckthorn make it suitable as a medicinal ingredient for treating various illnesses. Phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, and more are known to have multiple medicinal uses. Sea Buckthorn is also known to have high antioxidants.
Numerous studies have found important uses for Sea Buckthorn in medicinal therapy. It has been used for therapy for cancer patients, reduction of cardiovascular risks, treating gastrointestinal ulcers, skin disorders of both internal and topical types, and finally, as a protective agent for the liver and a suitable remedy for liver cirrhosis.
Here is a deeper look into how Sea Buckthorn is used to treat critical illnesses.
Benefits of Sea Buckthorn For Cancer Therapy
Though there is very little evidence that Sea Buckthorn is useful in preventing cancer, some studies have experimental research data for the same. They also discuss the possible antimutagenic action of the Sea Buckthorn Oil, which is known to slow down the growth of cancer cells. However, the studies clarify the difference between Hippophae oil and cancer medication’s efficacy; the latter is more effective.
Hippophae extract (alcohol extract) contains flavonoids, and some reports suggest its usefulness for protecting bone marrow from radiation damage. The same report also suggests that Hippophae extract’s efficiency in the recovery of bone marrow cells.
A study in China demonstrated that Sea Buckthorn oil helped in the quick recovery of the hematopoietic system of mice when high doses of chemotherapy were administered.
Furthermore, preliminary lab studies show that oil from Hippophae seeds enhances non-specific immunity and has anti-tumor effects.
These studies show Sea Buckthorn’s efficiency in preventing or slowing animal cancer. It is only a matter of time before these therapies are tested on humans and their efficiency is validated.
Benefits of Sea Buckthorn For Cardiovascular Therapy
Sea Buckthorn is also known for its anti-cardiovascular properties. This was demonstrated with a double-blind clinical trial where around 128 patients suffering from ischemic heart disease were administered flavonoids of Sea Buckthorn. The dosage was limited to 10mg each time.
Patients on flavonoid medication saw a decline in cholesterol levels, and their cardiac functions improved significantly. Furthermore, these patients also experienced fewer anginas than those on drug medications.
Additionally, no side effects were reported in patients who received the flavonoid treatment. In recent research, some simple formulas involving Sea Buckthorn flavonoids successfully treated coronary heart disease and sequelae of heart attack and stroke.
Benefits of Sea Buckthorn For Gastrointestinal Ulcers
There has been a significant rise in the number of people diagnosed with gastric ulcers. This condition is common among individuals accustomed to unfavorable and non-assessed diets.
Traditionally, Sea Buckthorn seed oil has been proven efficient in treating gastric ulcers. There are laboratory experiments that have validated its effectiveness against abdominal disorders.
Hexane is another component of Sea Buckthorn that has been proven to have a soothing effect on indomethacin and stress-induced ulcers. Also, hexane prevents gastric injury.
Sea Buckthorn Benefits For Liver Diseases
Sea Buckthorn is quite effective against liver diseases. Its extracts normalize the liver enzymes, immune system markers, and serum bile acids that cause degeneration and inflammation of the liver.
Sea Buckthorn oil protects the liver from dangerous toxins and saves it from damaging effects.
In recent studies, it was discovered that Sea Buckthorn juice contains vitamin A in rich amounts. Furthermore, it has beta-carotene and unsaturated fatty acids. These combined can protect the liver from damages caused by CCl4.
Treatment of Chronic hepatitis B and normalization of serum ALT is possible by combining Hippophae and an antiviral drug.
Other Health Benefits Of Sea Buckthorn
As mentioned above, Sea Buckthorn has countless benefits that can protect you and help you treat different diseases. However, Sea Buckthorn oil is equally beneficial and widely used for therapy.
Sea Buckthorn soothes the inflammation of the alimentary system, duodenum, and sometimes diarrhea. It successfully treats chronic gastric ulcers and inflammation of the cervix and vagina.
The oil also gives a soothing effect on the symptoms of rheumatoid disease, stops minor bleeding, reduces cholesterol levels, and reduces the chances of thrombophlebitis.
Sea Buckthorn oil is also used for the treatment of febrile diseases, especially the ones that are caused by viruses and bacteria. People suffering from skin ailments can stop skin granulation wounds by applying sea buckthorn oil.
The oil also cures a lot of hair and scalp disorders. Mainly, it strengthens the hairs making them strong against hair loss. Sea Buckthorn’s rich vitamin C content boosts the immune system.
Among other uses, sea buckthorn oil also cures frostbites, bedsores, burns, skin damage, etc.
Ways To Use Sea Buckthorn Oil In Cooking – Benefits of Sea Buckthorn for Cooking
Hippophae’s health benefits and appetizing taste have caught the attention of chefs worldwide. Many of them have come up with different ways to use Sea Buckthorn oil for cooking, ranging from drinks to foods to snacks.
You can use Sea Buckthorn oil as a salad dressing and give your salad a tangy taste. Some chefs even use the oil to season different kinds of meat dishes. There’s also the idea to spice up cocktails with sea buckthorn oil for a unique taste.
There are many more ways to use Sea Buckthorn oil, but it is advised to avoid cooking it. If you are using Sea Buckthorn for cooking, or heating, it will deplete all of its essential vitamins, and sometimes it might taste different.
Conclusion
Superfoods can make a lot of difference in your life. Their various vitamins and nutrients greatly influence your health and work towards keeping you fit. Sea Buckthorn is one such superfood, and adopting it into your daily diet enables you to prevent many diseases.
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