Uses and Risks of Sea Buckthorn

Can sea buckthorn skin creams make a difference?

Sea buckthorn capsules, gelcap, oil, and dried fruit

Verywell / Anastasiia Tretiak​

Sea buckthorn (Hipphophae rhamnoides) is a thorny tree commonly found in Asia and Europe. Parts of the sea buckthorn tree have long been used in herbal medicine and cosmetics. The tree is thought to have medicinal properties, leading many people to use sea buckthorn in interesting ways, including jams, pies, and drinks.

Available in supplement form, sea buckthorn extract contains various essential fatty acids and antioxidants (including vitamin C, vitamin E, and anthocyanins).

This article discusses sea buckthorn's proposed uses, potential side effects, precautions, and dosage information.

Supplement Facts

●     Active Ingredient(s): Sea buckthorn oil; some supplements may contain additional ingredients.

●     Alternate Name(s): Hippophaes rhamnoides, sea-buckthorn, Siberian pineapple

●     Legal Status: Legal, over-the-counter (OTC)

●     Suggested Dose: There is not enough scientific evidence to determine a safe or effective dose.

●     Safety Considerations: Sea buckthorn may not be suitable for some populations.

Benefits of Sea Buckthorn

In herbal medicine, sea buckthorn has long been used to support the digestive system, enhance heart health, reduce inflammation, and treat skin disorders.

Sea buckthorn oil has also gained popularity as an ingredient in various skin care products. When applied topically, sea buckthorn oil is thought to have many benefits.

There is currently a lack of clinical trials testing both the medicinal and cosmetic effects of sea buckthorn. However, preliminary research has looked at several potential uses.

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Eczema

Older studies suggest both that oral sea buckthorn supplements may help treat atopic dermatitis (eczema) or, alternately, that it provides no benefit.

More recently, a 2019 literature review of 37 studies suggests there's evidence for sea buckthorn use in reducing the severity of atopic dermatitis, but some of the studies were small and more robust evidence is needed.

Wound Healing

Some studies have suggested that sea buckthorn may promote wound healing when applied topically. Sea buckthorn oils, in particular, appear to promote wound healing.

For example, a 2021 study of 55 people with second-degree burns compared sea buckthorn dressings favorably with the more conventional 1% silver sulfadiazine cream. The use of sea buckthorn improved healing times.

Blood Sugar

A 2021 human trial in China found that consuming a puree of sea buckthorn fruit for five weeks resulted in a slight decrease in fasting blood sugar. However, the study was small—including only 38 people. The participants had impaired glucose regulation (IGR), or pre-diabetes.

Another small study of 18 males (sex assigned at birth) suggested that sea buckthorn berries decreased and delayed the insulin response after eating.

The antioxidant components of sea buckthorn are thought to be responsible for its potential blood sugar-lowering effects. Overall, the research in this area has been limited, and more comprehensive studies are needed.

Cancer

According to a short review, sea buckthorn's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components are thought to have anti-cancer properties.

However, the review points out that the research thus far has been done on animals or in vitro (in a glass). Human trials are needed before the potential anti-cancer effects of sea buckthorn in humans can be confirmed.

Skin Care and Cosmetics

A 2017 review reported various skin uses of sea buckthorn. According to the review, topical sea buckthorn may be helpful in the following ways:

  • Moisturizing the skin
  • Easing irritation
  • Treating acne
  • Healing aging-related damage
  • Hair care, including hair loss

The review notes that the antioxidants and fatty acids in sea buckthorn are helpful tools in skin care. The antioxidants are thought to remove free radicals and, thus, reduce the appearance of aging, while the fatty acids are said to add moisture to the skin.

Inflammation

Studies have explored the potential benefits of sea buckthorn in treating inflammation. Plant chemicals called phenolic acids (among the polyphenols) are found in sea buckthorn seeds.

Research has shown that these compounds play a key role in fighting inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. The fruits also contain antioxidant properties.

Cardiovascular Health

Sea buckthorn may offer benefits in treating high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These cardiovascular (heart-related) conditions are common but pose major health risks.

A review of 11 studies on sea buckthorn found a pattern of cholesterol level improvements in people who had a history of high cholesterol or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The same benefits were not seen in healthy people.

Sea buckthorn also is a source of healthy omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that can help to prevent cardiovascular diseases including high blood pressure.

Side Effects of Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn fruit is likely safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods. The fruit is also likely safe when eaten for medicinal purposes, though side effects can occur.

Common Side Effects

Few side effects of using topical or oral sea buckthorn have been reported.

One small human study reported that about 10% of participants experienced gastrointestinal symptoms after taking 3 grams (g) of sea buckthorn oil for three months.

Severe Side Effects

No severe side effects of sea buckthorn have been reported. Despite this, some of the possible interactions of sea buckthorn could pose an increased risk for adverse events for certain populations.

Consult your healthcare provider before starting sea buckthorn or other supplements, especially if you take other medications.

Sea buckthorn soft gels
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak​

Precautions

Sea buckthorn supplements, ointments, or cosmetics may not be suitable for everyone.

It's especially important to seek advice from a healthcare professional before using sea buckthorn in children. Researchers note that there is still much unknown about the toxicity and safety of the supplement. While it may be safe, there is insufficient evidence to support this.

You should talk to a healthcare provider before starting sea buckthorn if you:

Much of the research on sea buckthorn has been performed on animals or very small groups of humans. Because of this, the complete list of potential precautions when using sea buckthorn is unknown.

Dosage: How Much Sea Buckthorn Should I Take?

There is insufficient scientific evidence about oral or topical sea buckthorn to determine safe or effective dosages.

In nonhuman animal studies, doses have ranged from 0.1 to more than 10 grams (g) per kilogram (kg) of body weight. But animal studies are not definitive evidence, and more human studies on the safe dosage of sea buckthorn are needed.

Remember that side effects (such as digestive upset) may be more likely if you take more sea buckthorn than is recommended.

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that both the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.

Interactions

While there is no strong evidence of interactions with sea buckthorn, some research suggests it may interact with certain medications. This includes blood thinners and blood-sugar-lowering medications.

Blood Thinners

Sea buckthorn may reduce blood clotting, which can lead to increased bleeding. People taking blood thinners should be wary of taking sea buckthorn as doing so could increase their risk of bleeding.

Blood Sugar-lowering Medications

People with diabetes or who are on blood sugar-lowering medication should also talk to a healthcare provider about whether sea buckthorn is a suitable supplement. This is because some evidence points to sea buckthorn's ability to lower blood sugar. Blood sugar could become too low when taking sea buckthorn and blood sugar-lowering medication.

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement, like sea buckthorn, to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

How to Store Sea Buckthorn

It is recommended to store supplements and creams in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. Discard supplements and creams as indicated by the expiration date on the packaging.

If you use fresh sea buckthorn berries, store them like other food items.

Similar Supplements

Sea buckthorn is uniquely composed and contains various vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. But some other supplements and nutrients have similar proposed uses as sea buckthorn.

Similar supplements that may be used to help with eczema include:

Similar supplements that have been studied for wound healing include:

Similar supplements that may reduce inflammation include:

Because the proposed uses of sea buckthorn supplements and creams have a wide range, other supplements may offer similar benefits. It is unknown if sea buckthorn would interact with these or other supplements. Therefore, speaking with a healthcare provider about all the supplements you are taking or plan to take is best.

It's also important to remember that supplements are not a treatment or cure for any health condition. Although they may offer benefits, you should always follow your healthcare provider's recommended treatment plan.

Sources of Sea Buckthorn and What to Look For

Sea buckthorn contains many important nutrients your body needs daily, like vitamin A, vitamin E, and important unsaturated fats. It is always best to take a food-first approach to obtain all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Often, a healthy, well-balanced diet provides plenty of the nutrients in sea buckthorn.

Food Sources of Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is not widely found in foods sold in stores. You would most likely need to cook or bake your own recipes containing sea buckthorn to ingest it through food.

You may find jellies, jams, sauces, or beverages containing sea buckthorn at specialty grocery stores or online.

Keep in mind that since there is no recommended daily intake for sea buckthorn, it is unnecessary to use it as a supplement or add it to recipes unless otherwise advised.

Sea Buckthorn Supplements

You can find sea buckthorn supplements in various forms, including an oil or cream, a capsule, or a capsule combined with other herbal remedies. It is unknown which form of sea buckthorn is best or most beneficial, as research is still limited.

Sea buckthorn supplements are available online and in some natural-food stores. You can also find skin-care products containing sea buckthorn in many specialty beauty shops.

Dietary supplements are not regulated in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement that has been tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF.

However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and to check in about any potential interactions with other supplements or medications.

Summary

Sea buckthorn is an herbal supplement sometimes used for specific health and skin conditions. However, there is still little evidence that sea buckthorn is beneficial for these uses. Often, a healthy, well-balanced diet provides plenty of the nutrients found in sea buckthorn.

If you consider sea buckthorn supplements, check with a registered dietitian nutritionist or other healthcare provider first, especially if you have health conditions or take medications. Supplements are unregulated, so read labels carefully and look for third-party seals of approval.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Brittany Lubeck, MS, RDN
Brittany Lubeck, RD, is a nutrition writer and registered dietitian with a master's degree in clinical nutrition. 

Originally written by Cathy Wong