Omega 7 sea buckthorn oil capsules benefits

Sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides, is a hardy shrub with thorny branches, delicate and willowy leaves, and bright orange-yellow berries. This shrub is also known as seaberry, Siberian pineapple, sandthorn, and sallowthorn. It likes to grow in rugged coastal regions or drier sub-alpine locations.

Native to northern and central Europe, the Caucasus region, and western Asia, this shrub has a long history of use for its berries and seed oil. 

Sea buckthorn berries are rich in vitamins, carotenoids (plant pigments), and fatty acids, while the seeds offer a rich oil high in fatty acids. Both the fruit pulp and the seed yield a nutritious oil.

Health Benefits

Sea buckthorn has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties along with a variety of nutrients shown to have human health benefits. Most of the benefits you receive from sea buckthorn come from using the fruit and its oil. 

Although the majority of clinical studies focus on sea buckthorn oil as health supplements and cosmetic ingredients, traditional medicine has often used the entire berry. 

The health benefits of sea buckthorn are varied, and it has been shown to:

Increase Cardiovascular Health

Sea buckthorn is rich in flavonoids and omega-3, 6, 7, and 9 fatty acids, which have a strong effect on your cardiovascular system. Palmitoleic acid is an omega-7 fatty acid rarely found in plant food sources, but sea buckthorn oil is one of the only plant-based sources of this unsaturated fatty acid. 

Palmitoleic acid, along with other fatty acids, can help to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve overall cardiac function.

Support Cancer Therapy

Clinical studies have shown some support for using sea buckthorn oils and juices in cancer therapy. Several flavonoids in sea buckthorn, especially quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin, create cytotoxic responses with cancer cells and help to stop them from multiplying. 

Improve Skin Health 

Sea buckthorn is widely used in skin and hair products due to the rich array of vitamins and fatty acids it contains. Apart from vitamins C, A, and E, the oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that helps blood circulation and reduces signs of aging. 

Sea buckthorn oil also contains plant sterols like beta-sitosterol and campesterol that add hydration, smooth skin texture, and boost skin elasticity.

Disease Prevention

Sea buckthorn contains antioxidants which help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. This damage can lead to serious diseases such as cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. Eating antioxidants can help reduce your risk of potentially life threatening diseases. 

Health Risks

Sea buckthorn is generally considered safe for external and internal use and has minimal side effects. That said, a small percentage of people may experience side effects when taking sea buckthorn. 

Medication Interactions

This supplement may interact with certain medications, especially blood pressure and blood clotting medications. Using sea buckthorn regularly could thin your blood and make you more prone to bleeding or clotting issues.

Allergy Sensitivity

If you are sensitive to the sea buckthorn plant, you may experience adverse side effects from using this supplement. Known allergies to the Elaeagnaceae plant family may make you allergic to sea buckthorn as well. It's best to avoid the fruit, oil, juice, or other component of this species if you have similar plant allergies.

Pregnancy and Lactation

It is unknown whether pregnant or lactating women may experience adverse reactions to themselves or their developing child. Avoid using this supplement until you speak to your doctor. 

Amounts and Dosage

There is no established recommended dosage for sea buckthorn oil or a recommended amount for the fruit. Supplements are not standardized and may range from 350 mg to 1,000 mg of sea buckthorn, typically in capsule form. 

Sea buckthorn berries are difficult to find in food stores but are likely available for online purchase. Talk to your doctor about whether sea buckthorn fruit and oil is right for you and what amount they recommend you take.

Sea buckthorn is a shrub native to China and areas of Europe. It contains many medicinal compounds, as well as nutrients that include:

• Vitamins
• Amino acids
• Fatty acids
• Minerals

The leaves, flowers, seeds, and berries of sea buckthorn are used in teas, oils, or concentrates for a wide variety of health issues.

Why do people take sea buckthorn?

For hundreds of years, sea buckthorn has been used in Russia and China for its medical and nutritional qualities.

Sea buckthorn is thought to remove free radicals -- molecules that can damage cells. Most scientific evidence is from animal studies. Though not proven in human clinical trials, people say they take sea buckthorn specifically to try to:

• Treat stomach or intestinal problems
• Improve blood pressure or blood cholesterol
• Prevent or manage blood vessel or heart disease
• Complement cancer treatment
• Boost immunity and prevent infections
• Treat obesity
• Improve symptoms of cirrhosis
• Improve eyesight or dry eyes
• Treat respiratory problems such as asthma, colds, and pneumonia

People also use sea buckthorn as a sunscreen or cosmetic, and for a variety of skin problems such as:

• Radiation damage
• Exanthemata, a skin rash usually found in children
• Bedsores, burns, or cuts
• Acne, dermatitis, or dry skin

There isn't enough evidence to confirm that sea buckthorn works for most of these health problems. But there is some limited research showing it might be helpful for:

• Dry eyes
• Atopic dermatitis

In animal studies, sea buckthorn has also shown some promise in slowing the growth of tumors and ulcers. But more studies are needed.

Optimal doses of sea buckthorn have not been set for any condition. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely. This makes it very hard to set a standard dose.

Can you get sea buckthorn naturally from foods?

Sea buckthorn fruit or fruit juice can be found in certain jellies, juices, purees, sauces, drinks, and liquors. People do not usually eat the berries raw because they are acidic. The amount of sea buckthorn used in food is typically much less than that used for medicinal purposes.

What are the risks of taking sea buckthorn?

As a food, sea buckthorn is probably safe. Some research suggests it may also be safe when taken up to six months as a medicine.

Side effects. Very few side effects from sea buckthorn have been reported. In some people who had high blood pressure, swelling, headache, dizziness and palpitations were noted. When used on the skin to treat burns, it sometimes caused a rash.

Risks. Sea buckthorn can act as a blood thinner, causing bleeding. It may also cause low blood sugar in people with diabetes who take medication to lower blood sugar.

Interactions. Combining sea buckthorn with blood-thinning drugs or supplements could raise your risk of bleeding.

Sea buckthorn may also interfere with certain medicines that treat gastrointestinal conditions, heart rhythm problems, cancer, or autoimmune diseases.

Avoid using sea buckthorn if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There is not enough information to prove its safety.

The FDA does not regulate supplements. Be sure to tell your doctor about any supplements you're taking, even if they're natural. That way, your doctor can check on any potential side effects or interactions with medications, foods, or other herbs and supplements. They can let you know if the supplement might raise your risks.