Sea buckthorn, health benefits of the berry, healing properties and contraindications

Bright, sunny, autumn... Today I want to tell you what sea buckthorn is - a berry whose beneficial properties have been known since ancient times.

The literal translation of the name from ancient Greek is “sparkling horse.” The Greeks believed that horses fed on sea buckthorn leaves acquired beautiful, smooth hair. Sick animals recovered and became strong, and healthy ones began to shine in the sun.

How it looks and grows

Sea buckthorn is a strong-branched shrub that is resistant to cold weather. In rare cases, this is a tree that grows to a height of 5 meters. Each shoot ends in thorns. Sea buckthorn fruits are berries weighing 0.5 grams, pale orange in color. Shape: spherical or slightly elongated. The average diameter is 5 mm, length – 8 mm.

The ends of the sea buckthorn branches are densely strewn with berries (hence the name - they seem to “stick around” them). The taste of the berries is sweet with a sour tint, less often with bitterness. There is a pronounced aroma.

Sea buckthorn berries first appear on the bush very early, and by the age of five years the harvest can reach 10 kilograms per year. The plant benefits from bright lighting. The shrub grows well near the shores of lakes or rivers where the soil is sandy. Sea buckthorn bears fruit for 10-20 seasons.

The plant is found throughout most of Asia and Europe. In the Russian Federation it grows closer to the European part, as well as in Altai, Buryatia, and Siberia. Sea buckthorn is actively grown in household plots due to its extensive benefits on the farm. In addition, shrubs have a noticeable benefit in strengthening the banks of rivers and lakes (they have an extensive and powerful root system). Therefore, the medicinal plant sea buckthorn is planted along the riverbeds of reservoirs.

What to cook from sea buckthorn at home - two successful recipes

The berry is rarely eaten fresh - it is sour. Some people note bitterness, but I didn't notice it. But fruit drinks, compotes, jams and other preparations turn out very tasty. I wrote in a separate article how to make “cold jam” from ground sea buckthorn with sugar. I suggest trying something new.

Before use, sea buckthorn is sorted, the stalks are cut, leaves, twigs and random debris are removed. After this, the berries are transferred to a colander, washed under running water, and dried.

The fruits are small, with dark seeds inside. They are removed by rubbing fresh or blanched raw materials through a sieve. In this case, part of the useful pulp and skin is lost. You shouldn't throw them away. The cake is used as an additive to tea or compote. And if you try, you can get sea buckthorn oil from it.

Sea buckthorn jelly for the winter

The berry contains an impressive amount of pectin, so it produces an excellent thick mass. It is spread on toast or used as a layer in a cake.

Recipe:

1. Squeeze the juice from the prepared berries. Use a juicer or steamer.
2. Add water to the pulp at the rate of 200 ml for each kilogram of berries.
3. Squeeze again.
4. Strain the remainder through a double layer of gauze.
5. Add sugar. Per liter of juice – 600 grams.
6. Pour into an enamel pan.
7. Place on the fire and reduce to about 1/3 of the original volume.
8. Fill the prepared jars and seal.

The workpiece is well preserved even without sterilization. Keep it in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

Canned sea buckthorn compote

I’ll tell you how to make a delicious drink for the winter:

1. Place the prepared berries in clean glass jars with a volume of 0.75 or 0.9 liters, filling the volume up to the shoulders.
2. Pour in hot syrup (400 g of granulated sugar per liter of water).
3. Cover with lids.
4. Sterilize at low boil for 5-10 minutes.
5. We seal it hermetically.

To be sure, we lay it on its side and wrap it in a warm blanket. Let them cool slowly.

When serving, I recommend straining through a strainer to separate the berries. All the most useful things have already gone into the decoction. Sea buckthorn compote is very tasty, tested. In winter it will come in handy.

Chemical composition of berries

The benefit of sea buckthorn lies in the presence of a huge amount of micro- and macroelements, minerals and vitamins. The berries contain:

• At least a dozen microelements: magnesium, aluminum, iron, titanium, boric acid, silicon, potassium permanganate, sulfur;
• Phenolic compounds that promote benefits in slowing the growth of harmful bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori.
• Antioxidants that prevent the development of cancer.
• Flavonoids that affect enzyme activity in the body.
• Choline, which increases blood pressure and is beneficial in the fight against cholesterol plaques.
• Serotonin, which is beneficial in the fight against tumors.
• B-sitosterol.

The berries contain a high concentration of triterpene acid (from 500 to 1200 mg per 100 g). As well as organic acids (3%), pectin (0.8%), fatty oils (5-9%), water-soluble carbohydrates (2.7%), carotenoids (up to 4.5%).

What vitamins are in sea buckthorn and their concentration per 100 g (average values):

• sea ​​buckthorn oil contains up to 80% fatty acids (polyunsaturated);
• K – 1.2 mg;
• E – 13 mg;
• A – 5 mg;
• B2 – 0.04 mg;
• B1 – 0.05 mg;
• B9 – 0.9 mg;
• P – 85 mg;
• C – 150 mg

Next, we will consider the nutritional value of sea buckthorn fruits, BZhU (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) and benefits for the body.

Sea buckthorn oil

Sea buckthorn oil contains a lot of carotenoids, which, under the action of enzymes in the human body, are converted into retinol, better known to many as vitamin A. It is responsible for reproduction, growth, immunity, vision, and general skin condition. Being antioxidants they can slow down the aging process.

Vitamin E or tocopherol is directly involved in the formation of sex hormones. Together with retinol, it stimulates the immune system.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant protection for cells. Regulates blood clotting, redox processes, tissue regeneration, and iron absorption in the intestines.

Vitamin F normalizes fat metabolism, K1 regulates blood clotting. Without B vitamins, metabolism, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and intestinal biocenosis do not occur.

The oil has shown high effectiveness in complex therapy aimed at normalizing the functioning of the female reproductive, digestive and cardiovascular systems. For vitamin deficiencies, the composition is taken in courses of 3-4 weeks, a teaspoon twice a day.

If sea buckthorn oil will be used for skin care, choose a cold-pressed composition and purchase it exclusively at the pharmacy. High-quality oil has a thick, uniform consistency and a bright orange or red color.

Important point! Sea buckthorn oil must be marked with a carotonoid concentration of at least 180 mg.

The oil is not used on its own due to the high concentration of carotenoids and the ability to pigment the skin. A drop of oil can be combined with other base oils or regular face cream. Prepared masks are applied for no more than 15 minutes and no more than once a week.

Sea buckthorn oil properties and uses

Pure sea buckthorn oil is beneficial in restoring the skin. As a result, cuts or other wounds quickly heal, and a new covering forms at the site of the burn or frostbite. Discomfort from dermatitis or neurodermatitis goes away.

Erosion and ulcers of the mucous membranes heal faster if sea buckthorn oil extract is applied to them. As an antiseptic, the product helps in the treatment of sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, and rhinitis. Sea buckthorn squeeze:

• relieves pain;
• makes skin and hair silky;
• stimulates the formation of bile;
• increases immunity;
• helps with weight loss;
• works as a natural laxative.

Thanks to this, sea buckthorn leaves, beneficial squeezes, berries and decoctions are used in many industries: gastroenterology, cosmetology, immunology, otolaryngology, gynecology, dentistry. Sea buckthorn oil is often prescribed in the form of capsules or solutions, but there are many other options - from ointments to tampons.

Vegetarian dishes with sea buckthorn

Vegetarians are people who do not eat animal products such as fish and animal meat. They eat more food of plant origin: greens, vegetables, fruits, dairy products.

We would like to offer you a vegetarian dish

Recipe for Cheese paste with sea buckthorn and herbs.

Ingredients:

• 150g salted cheese;
• 120g sea buckthorn berries;
• 100g chopped greens;
• 20g butter;
• 2 cloves of garlic;
• 100g mayonnaise;
• salt pepper.

Preparation:

1. Mash the cheese with a fork, mix with chopped herbs and chopped garlic.
2. Grind the sea buckthorn berries in a meat grinder, squeeze out the juice, and add the pulp to the cheese mixture. Put butter, salt, ground pepper and mayonnaise there.

This pasta goes well with croutons.

Low calorie dish

To prepare a low-calorie dish, you need to take all foods that are low in calories. It should not only be low in calories, but also healthy. Sea buckthorn is what you need.

Salad Recipe "Delight"

Ingredients:

• 150g low-calorie cottage cheese;
• 100g sea buckthorn;
• 250g white chicken meat;
• 100g sour cream;
• greens, garlic, salt.

Preparation.

Boil the chicken meat, cut into strips. Finely chop the garlic and herbs. Squeeze juice from berries. Mix sour cream with sea buckthorn juice, add salt and stir. You will get a sour cream-sea buckthorn filling; you need to season the salad with it. Enjoy your meal!

Properties of juice and tinctures

People have already invented several dozen different decoctions and tinctures of sea buckthorn. Each serves its own benefit, for example:

• A cocktail of a spoon of honey and sea buckthorn juice restores vitality.
• A spoonful of berries, mashed with sugar, added to tea is a storehouse of vitamins in the winter.
• Sea buckthorn syrup helps cure liver diseases.

Pure sea buckthorn juice is recommended in the following cases:

• gastrointestinal problems, constipation;
• elevated body temperature, infectious diseases, colds;
• inflammatory processes;
• anemia;
• impaired metabolism;
• lack of potency;
• problems with the functioning of the heart muscle;
• scurvy;
• vitamin deficiency;
• gouty syndrome;
• diseases of the respiratory organs.

It is noteworthy that berry juice is beneficial not only as a medicine, but also as a preventive measure.

Calorie content of frozen sea buckthorn per 100 grams

The calorie content of frozen sea buckthorn per 100 grams is 82 kcal. In 100 g of this berry:

• 1.23 g protein;
• 5.42 g fat;
• 5.73 g carbohydrates.

Read: Calorie content of fresh cloudberries

Frozen sea buckthorn is actively used for making jams, compotes, cocktails, juices, jelly, mousses, and fruit fillings. Thanks to shock freezing, almost all vitamins and minerals are preserved in the berry.

Harm from sea buckthorn

Contraindications: It is undesirable to use sea buckthorn for certain characteristics and conditions of the body, or to do it very moderately. First of all, this is individual intolerance, that is, an allergic reaction. Other states:

• elevated blood sugar levels;
• acute phases of diseases associated with the liver or gall bladder;
• urinary or kidney stones;
• acidosis (excessive acidity of gastric juice);
• chronic diarrhea.

You should immediately stop consuming sea buckthorn if you experience symptoms of rejection: respiratory rhythm disturbances, bitterness in the mouth, rashes or itching, swelling of the eyes, excessive salivation. These are sure signs that sea buckthorn does not bring benefit, but only harm. It is necessary to choose another folk remedy for treatment, after consulting with your doctor.

Lenten menu with sea buckthorn

In this case, people completely give up meat, dairy products, they exclude eggs and baked goods. Lately, the Lenten menu has become much more varied. We would like to introduce you to a simple hearty salad.

Lenten apple strudel with sea buckthorn

Lenten salad recipe

Ingredients:

• 250g boiled beans;
• 2 boiled carrots;
• 1 large onion;
• 2 pickled cucumbers;
• 2 boiled potatoes;
• dill, salt, pepper;
• 2h. spoons of lemon juice and the same amount of sugar;
• 2st. spoons of sea buckthorn oil.

Preparation Peel the vegetables. Cut all the vegetables except the onion into small cubes and chop the greens. Combine beans with vegetables and stir. Cut the onion into small half rings and marinate in lemon juice and sugar for 10-15 minutes. Add onions to beans with vegetables. Mix everything, add salt and add sea buckthorn oil. Delicious salad is ready!

Forms of preparations from sea buckthorn leaves

In sea buckthorn, all parts of the plant are used to make medicinal products. Basic forms:

• Infusions
• Decoctions
• Tinctures
• Extracts
• Fees
• Teas

Extracts are produced strictly in pharmaceutical companies, which cannot be said about tinctures. To make tinctures at home, they use 70% ethyl and plant shoots, which are filled with alcohol and kept for a week, maintaining a temperature of eighty degrees.

Leaves, roots and bark are used to create decoctions. Manufacturing technology. The leaves are crushed to the required consistency, not exceeding 6-7 millimeters in size. The finished crushed leaves are covered with warm water in a ratio of 1:10 and infused in a water bath for 15 minutes in a container that is closed, and the decoctions last for half an hour. During heating, the mixture must be stirred periodically. After cooking in a water bath, the container is removed and its contents are cooled at room temperature for 45-60 minutes for infusion and 10 minutes for decoction. Next, the contents must be filtered by squeezing out the remaining leaves, then filtered through cotton wool and brought to the required volume by adding distilled water. All other additives are added after the infusion or decoction is completely prepared. Due to the fact that decoctions and infusions are perishable, they must be stored in a dark, cool place for a maximum period of 4 days. Also an important and popular type of remedy are herbal mixtures and teas, based on mixing the dry components of the plant with various additional toppings. Herbal teas are used for internal consumption, but herbal teas are used for rinsing, preparing baths, poultices, and applications.

In the process of creating collections, foliage and additional plant components are crushed, filtered using a sieve and mixed until smooth, and then dried. To ensure that the collections do not spoil during storage, it is recommended to use a wooden box with a container containing chloroform located in the middle. The widespread use of sea buckthorn foliage in the treatment of various diseases makes it possible to find the necessary dosage form in all pharmacy chains in the country. But it is also allowed to prepare various remedies at home and with your own hands. When watching the video you will learn some facts about sea buckthorn.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=iAweVPjSwnk

Sea buckthorn leaves certainly have a large number of beneficial properties, which contributes to their widespread use in the treatment of many diseases. But, like any drug, they have a number of contraindications. Therefore, before starting to use any dosage form of sea buckthorn leaves, we recommend that you consult a doctor. And do not forget that the treatment of any ailment should be strictly medicinal, and the use of herbal medicine is used only as additional manipulations.

Face masks

Sea buckthorn, which is part of face masks, nourishes and moisturizes the dermis, relieves inflammation, improves blood circulation, and fights age-related changes. For oily skin, it gets rid of oily shine and acne. When it’s normal, it nourishes it; when it’s dry, it moisturizes. Restores elasticity, smoothes out fine wrinkles - with aging skin.

At home, you can make masks with berries and sea buckthorn oil.

I offer several mask recipes.

Anti-wrinkle

This mask nourishes the skin, helps smooth out fine wrinkles, and gives the skin a healthy color.

Mix 1 teaspoon of sea buckthorn oil with beaten egg white and 1 tbsp. l. fat cottage cheese.

Apply the mask on your face in a thick layer, and cover with a damp towel on top. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

For acne

This mask has an antiseptic effect, relieves irritation well, and eliminates redness.

1 tsp. Mix sea buckthorn oil and the same amount of juice with the yolk and apply to problem areas for 20 minutes. After this, rinse with warm water and wipe your face with chamomile infusion.

Rejuvenating

Has an excellent lifting effect.

Take 3 tbsp. l. frozen berries, scald them with boiling water and beat in a blender. Mix the resulting mixture with 1.5 tsp. white clay, add whipped egg white.

Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face and keep it on until it dries. After this, carefully remove it.

Carry out the rejuvenating procedure every week for 2 months.

How sea buckthorn is beneficial for the human body

Sea buckthorn is used in folk medicine due to its wide range of effects on the body. Regular consumption of berries maintains health and prevents the development of many pathologies.

Healing properties of sea buckthorn berries:

• preventive action against the development of heart attacks and strokes;
• strengthening the heart muscle and blood vessel walls;
• cleansing the liver of toxins, promoting normal functioning;
• ensuring proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• improvement of metabolic processes in the body;
• maintaining the immune system;
• prevention of the development of vascular atherosclerosis;
• prevention of the development of joint diseases;
• normalization of blood pressure.

The main medicinal properties of sea buckthorn, manifested when used in folk medicine, are as follows:

• pain reliever;
• anti-inflammatory;
• laxative;
• antiseptic;
• regenerating;
• emollient.

To improve health, it is recommended to eat sea buckthorn raw, pureed with sugar or mixed with honey. A special tea, oil or decoction is prepared from the berries. The usefulness of sea buckthorn is difficult to overestimate.

Benefits of berries for women

For women, sea buckthorn berries are especially useful, as they help preserve youth, improve hormonal levels and help maintain the health of the reproductive system.

Regular consumption of fruits helps prevent the appearance and speed up recovery of inflammatory pathologies of the uterus and appendages.

Tampons with sea buckthorn oil help get rid of inflammation of the vaginal mucosa and cervical erosion. Unlike many medications, they do not disrupt the microflora and do not have negative side effects.

Sea buckthorn is included in rectal and vaginal suppositories prescribed for the following problems in women:

• cervicitis;
• endocervicitis;
• colpitis;
• haemorrhoids;
• cervical erosion;
• cracks in the anus.

An ointment based on berry juice helps with synechia in girls. Prevents complications, promotes normal tissue formation.

Regular consumption of sea buckthorn significantly improves the condition of hair, nails and skin.

Sea buckthorn during pregnancy

While expecting a baby, a woman needs a lot of vitamins, minerals and folic acid. During pregnancy, sea buckthorn provides a significant percentage of these substances in the daily diet.

Including berries in the menu is important for an expectant mother who cares about her health and the correct development of the fetus.

In some cases, sea buckthorn gives a chance to refuse the use of medications, the use of which is undesirable during pregnancy. And:

• strengthens the immune system;
• improves well-being during acute respiratory infections;
• maintains hemoglobin at the proper level;
• prevents the appearance of congenital malformations in the unborn child;
• promotes the proper formation of the placenta and skeletal system of the fetus;
• helps resist late toxicosis.

Sea buckthorn during breastfeeding will help a nursing mother recover faster and promotes the normal development of the newborn.

The product is gradually introduced into the diet from 2 months after the birth of the child. Do not eat fruits on an empty stomach. First, try 3-4 berries or a sip of juice and carefully monitor the baby’s condition for two days.

In the future, the daily norm is 50 g. per day and 150 gr. in Week.

Sea buckthorn oil is used by nursing women for cracked nipples. The product accelerates regeneration and prevents infection of wounds, while being completely safe for the baby.

Application in cosmetology

Sea buckthorn is often used in cosmetology by women. Extracts or oil of the fruit are added to various creams and masks to nourish the skin, improve color, increase elasticity and slow down the aging process.

A sea buckthorn face mask made from fresh berries is a real life-giving elixir for the skin.

The fruits are used in hair care products, as they help quickly heal the scalp and hair follicles.

With regular use of masks with sea buckthorn, you get rid of dandruff, itchy skin and significantly improve the condition of your curls. Plant oil for hair is an excellent remedy for hair restoration.

The beneficial properties of sea buckthorn for women are even used in the fight against baldness. This is due to the fact that the product has a strong stimulating effect on the hair follicles.

How it will help men

The benefits of sea buckthorn for men are invaluable. Berries protect the body from premature aging and prevent age-related changes in the prostate gland. The fruits will also have a positive effect in the treatment of prostatitis.

In addition, with regular use of sea buckthorn:

• Prevents inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder diseases.
• Reduces the effect of stress on the body, calms the nervous system.
• It will help keep hormones at the required level.
• Removes toxins from the body in case of alcohol poisoning.

Sea buckthorn will not help with erectile dysfunction. It is useful for a man to use the berry in this condition only as an addition to the main treatment prescribed by the doctor.

For children

When used wisely, sea buckthorn will only bring benefits to children. Fruits are a real storehouse of nutrients.

Children who regularly eat berries are less susceptible to inflammation of the oral cavity and nasopharynx. They develop faster than their peers, and almost never get sick in the off-season.

Sea buckthorn has restorative properties. Promotes faster healing of minor burns, frostbite, and shallow wounds. In addition, with regular use, the fruits:

• strengthen bone, muscle tissue, and tooth enamel;
• improve brain function;
• relieve inflammation, lower temperature;
• will support vision;
• neutralize toxic substances;
• contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system.

It is recommended to gradually introduce fresh fruits into a child’s diet from the age of 2, starting with 1-2 seeded berries. Start getting acquainted with the juice with 1 tsp diluted with water 1:1.

General characteristics of the plant

There are only two types of sea buckthorn, willow-leaved and buckthorn. Willow sea buckthorn does not grow on the territory of Russia; its homeland is in the foothills of Hindustan, but kruze-shaped one feels great in the temperate climate of our country.

Sea buckthorn is considered a shrub due to its growth of up to one meter in the wild, but in the garden it can grow up to 10 meters. The plant is branched, prickly, with gray bark, leaves with short petioles, elongated and lanceolate. The upper part of the leaf is green, the lower part is silvery-white.

It blooms in April with small yellow and fragrant flowers. It bears fruit in September-October with small orange fruits of a sour taste with a slight bitterness, with a seed inside. You can’t call them tasty, but there are lovers who find their charm in them, associated with a smell reminiscent of pineapple.