From berries to leaves: what benefits does sea buckthorn bring to the body?

The beneficial properties of sea buckthorn have long been used in medicine and cosmetology. In China, sea buckthorn plantations cover more than 1 million hectares, and in the Himalayas it is called a sacred fruit. In Russia, shrubs are grown in gardens with reluctance, but in vain. Sea buckthorn is one of the most vitamin-rich berries. We invite you to find out what benefits it brings to the human body.

Chemical composition of sea buckthorn

All parts of the bush have medicinal properties: berries, leaves, bark, branches and even roots. Orange-red sea buckthorn oil is extracted from the seeds, which is highly valued in cosmetology.

But the fruits of sea buckthorn have the richest chemical composition. Let's consider what substances are present in them in large quantities.

• Vitamin C

Freeze or dry sea buckthorn berries for the winter to later protect your body from colds.After all, 100 grams contain two daily norms of vitamin C. This is 5 times more than in lemon. Vitamin C not only strengthens the immune system, but also increases the strength of blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and slows down the aging process.

• Vitamin A and beta carotene

It is because of them that sea buckthorn has a bright orange color. Beta-carotene is a substance that is converted into vitamin A in the human body (5 mcg of beta-carotene is equivalent to 1 mcg of vitamin A). The latter is very useful for women, as it improves the condition of the skin, hair, and has a positive effect on reproductive function.

• Vitamin E

This substance is called the “beauty vitamin”. It makes facial skin elastic and fresh, prevents the appearance of wrinkles and hair loss. Vitamin E also accelerates tissue regeneration and strengthens the health of the cardiovascular system.

• Silicon

Silicon is a macronutrient that benefits the musculoskeletal system. It is part of bones, cartilage, and tooth enamel. In addition, silicon is involved in the body's absorption of vitamins and microelements.

• Chromium

It is difficult to find a product that compares with sea buckthorn in terms of the amount of chromium. 100 g of berries contain 980% of the daily requirement of this substance. Chromium is a key element for the prevention of diabetes. It normalizes blood sugar levels, enhances the action of insulin and increases sensitivity to glucose. Chromium is also useful for those losing weight, as it helps control appetite.

• Omega-3

These are the most beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids for the body. 100 grams of sea buckthorn berries contain 100% of the daily value of omega-3. Fatty acids reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol, reduce inflammation in the joints, and prevent hair loss and brittleness.Omega-3s are also useful during pregnancy, as they have a beneficial effect on the formation of the child’s brain.

• Organic acids

Sea buckthorn berries contain citric, malic, caffeic, tartaric, oleanolic and ursolic acids. The latter is one of the rarest in nature. Ursolic acid has strong antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cardiac stimulating effects.

TOP 7 beneficial properties of sea buckthorn

In the absence of contraindications, sea buckthorn has a beneficial effect on almost all internal organs and systems. Let's look at why you should include autumn berries in your diet.

1. Prevention and treatment of ARVI, influenza

Sea buckthorn berries increase the body's defenses because they contain not only ascorbic acid, but also B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and iron. When you have a cold, it is useful to eat pureed sea buckthorn with honey or drink sea buckthorn tea from the leaves to speed up recovery. Sea buckthorn oil is used externally to treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract: pharyngitis and sore throat.

2. Promote cardiovascular health

Sea buckthorn normalizes the metabolism of fatty acids and cholesterol in the body, increases the strength and elasticity of blood vessels. It reduces the risk of dangerous diseases (in particular atherosclerosis, ischemia, heart attack, stroke, thrombophlebitis), normalizes heart rate and blood pressure.

3. Normalization of digestion

Sea buckthorn berries increase the acidity of gastric juice and speed up the process of food digestion. Due to the presence of dietary fiber, they relieve a person from constipation.

4. Improved mood

In 2014, scientists from the Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported that the bark and branches of sea buckthorn contain 1000 times more serotonin than chocolate and bananas. This substance is called the “happiness hormone”.

Serotonin has the following beneficial properties:

• maintains a good mood;
• prevents depression, increased anxiety and insomnia;
• controls intestinal motility;
• removes toxic compounds from the body.

It is very simple to prepare a decoction of sea buckthorn branches. Ready-made raw materials can be bought at the pharmacy. Take 1 tablespoon of chopped twigs and pour 500 ml of boiling water. Leave for 3 hours, then strain. Drink warm with honey.

5. Favorable pregnancy

For pregnant women, sea buckthorn is an excellent alternative to dietary supplements from the pharmacy. The berries will saturate the body with vitamins, macro- and microelements, without harming the fetus. The product contains folic acid. It prevents miscarriages, intrauterine pathologies and other problems that sometimes arise during pregnancy.

6. Good looks

Sea buckthorn is a storehouse of antioxidants. Vitamins A, C, E, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, manganese have a positive effect on skin and hair. If you want to slow down the aging process, eat at least 50 g of berries per day.

7. Cancer prevention

Antioxidants are again responsible for this property, which neutralize the negative effects of free radicals on the body. In addition, the growth of malignant tumors is inhibited by ursolic acid and serotonin present in sea buckthorn.

What are the benefits of sea buckthorn oil?

The main properties of sea buckthorn oil are considered anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.

Main indications for external use:

• female gynecological diseases (colpitis, cervical erosion);
• inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, gingivitis, stomatitis);
• bleeding gums;
• sinusitis;
• trophic ulcers, bedsores, thermal and chemical burns, frostbite;
• radiation damage to the skin;
• injuries and defects of the cornea, conjunctivitis.

Sea buckthorn oil can also be taken orally, but only as prescribed by a doctor. The product improves the condition of anemia, hypertension, and diabetes. It also enhances the effect of some anticancer drugs.

Sea buckthorn oil has found wide application in cosmetology. It is added to masks, creams, lotions. This natural component nourishes the skin and eliminates flaking, maintains acid-base and lipid balance, and prevents the formation of new wrinkles. Sea buckthorn oil is also used to combat freckles and age spots.

Harm and contraindications of sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn should not be overused, otherwise it will cause harm to the body. Thus, berries (and especially seeds) have a laxative effect. If you eat more than 300 grams at a time, you may experience diarrhea, nausea, and bloating.

Sea buckthorn fruits and oil have the following contraindications for use:

• urolithiasis disease;
• inflammatory diseases of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas (in particular hepatitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis);
• tendency to diarrhea.

Sometimes berries cause food intolerance and allergic reactions. The reason is the rich chemical composition.

Due to the high content of organic acids, doctors do not recommend eating sea buckthorn fruits or drinking sea buckthorn juice for people with gastritis or stomach ulcers.But such people are allowed tea from leaves or a decoction of branches.

What to cook from sea buckthorn: recipes for drinks and desserts

Fresh berries have a pleasant sweet and sour taste, so it is best to eat them in their pure form. If you come across a variety that is too sour, eat the ground fruits not with sugar, but with honey, to get more benefits for the body. In addition, you can make interesting drinks and desserts from sea buckthorn.

Spiced tea

Tea with sea buckthorn and spices will warm you up in winter, strengthen your immune system and lift your spirits. To prepare it, take the following ingredients:

• fresh berries – 100 g;
• grated ginger root – 1 teaspoon;
• cinnamon – 2 sticks;
• cloves - 2 pieces;
• water – 500 ml;
• honey - to taste.

Sort and wash the berries, chop with a masher. Place in a teapot along with the spices. Pour boiling water over, leave for 5 minutes. Drink warm with honey.

Jam

To prepare sea buckthorn jam you will need 1 cup of fresh berries. Crush them, put them in an enamel pan, add 1.5 cups of sugar there and stir. Cook the mixture over low heat until you achieve a homogeneous consistency. Do not bring to a boil to retain maximum vitamins. Store the finished sea buckthorn jam in the refrigerator.

Compote

To prepare the compote, prepare 400 g of fresh sea buckthorn berries, 100 g of sugar and 3 liters of water. You can also use the zest of one orange. Pour cold water over the berries, bring to a boil and cook for another 1 minute without reducing the heat. Strain. Add sugar to the hot compote and mix well.

Pouring

Sea buckthorn liqueur has a pronounced aroma and mild taste.To prepare it you will need 3 kg of fresh fruits. Sort the raw materials thoroughly, but do not wash them so that wild yeast remains on the surface. Mash the berries, transfer to a deep glass container, add 1 kg of sugar and 1 liter of water, mix. Tie the neck with gauze.

Place the container in a dark, dry place at room temperature (18–27 degrees) for 3 days. Stir the contents every 12 hours. When signs of fermentation appear, put a medical rubber glove on the container and make a small hole in it.

After 30–50 days, fermentation will stop. The glove will deflate and the drink will become lighter in color. Then the liquid needs to be filtered and poured into glass bottles, sealed tightly. To improve the taste, it is advisable to keep the sea buckthorn liqueur in the refrigerator for 3–6 months.

Pancakes

Pancakes with sea buckthorn taste just as good as traditional apple pancakes. You will need the following products:

• sea ​​buckthorn berries – 100 g;
• oatmeal – 200 g;
• milk - a glass;
• soda – 5 g;
• bananas – 2 pcs.;
• cinnamon – 1/3 teaspoon.

Add banana pieces, baking soda, cinnamon, and milk to the oatmeal. Beat in a blender. Add whole berries to the dough and stir. Bake the pancakes over medium heat for 2 minutes on each side. Serve with honey, jam or butter.

Is it possible to give sea buckthorn to children?

Pediatricians allow compote and sea buckthorn juice diluted with water to be given to children from 8–9 months. From the age of 2 years, berries are gradually introduced into the diet. But if you are prone to allergies, you should not give sea buckthorn to a child under 3 years old.

The product is very beneficial for children's health. It helps the body cope with viruses and germs, improves mental abilities, and relieves mood swings.True, a small child is unlikely to appreciate the taste of sour berries. You can offer him ground sea buckthorn with honey, compote, syrup or jam.

Thus, sea buckthorn is a healing product. It is rich in vitamins and minerals that have a beneficial effect on immunity, appearance, and emotional background. You can make delicious drinks and desserts from the berries. However, before consuming sea buckthorn, read the list of contraindications and precautions again.