Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is one of those plants that keeps popping up in traditional medicine systems across Asia and Europe. The bright orange berries have been used for centuries in everything from wound healing to treating digestive complaints. But does modern research support any of these traditional uses? Let me walk through what the science actually shows.

What is sea buckthorn?

Sea buckthorn belongs to the Elaeagnaceae family and grows as a thorny deciduous shrub, typically reaching heights of 2 to 7 metres. It thrives in harsh conditions across temperate and subtropical regions of Asia and Europe, particularly in areas with poor soil where other plants struggle.

The berries are small, orange to yellow, and intensely tart with a distinctive pineapple-like aroma. Nearly every part of the plant has been used medicinally at some point, though modern supplements typically focus on the berry pulp or seed oil.

From a nutritional standpoint, sea buckthorn is genuinely interesting. The berries contain a broad spectrum of nutrients including vitamin C (reportedly higher concentrations than oranges), vitamin E, carotenoids, flavonoids, and a somewhat unusual fatty acid profile. Sea buckthorn is one of the few plant sources containing meaningful amounts of omega-7 fatty acids (palmitoleic acid), alongside the more common omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids.

There are various folk tales about Genghis Khan feeding sea buckthorn to his horses to make them stronger, and Soviet-era cosmonauts supposedly using it to protect against radiation. Whether these stories have any basis in fact is another matter entirely, but they do illustrate the plant’s long history of use.

What does the research show?

I want to be upfront here: most of the clinical research on sea buckthorn involves small trials, and many of the more dramatic claims you’ll find online go well beyond what the evidence supports. That said, there are some interesting preliminary findings worth discussing.

1. May reduce inflammation markers (C-reactive protein)

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that rises sharply during infections, tissue damage, and chronic inflammation. Elevated CRP is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 254 healthy volunteers tested whether drinking sea buckthorn purée over 90 days would reduce common cold and other infections. The results were mixed: the sea buckthorn group didn’t experience fewer infections overall, but they did show significantly lower serum CRP concentrations compared to placebo 1.

My take: This is a single study with modest effects. The fact that it didn’t achieve its primary endpoint (reducing infections) but showed secondary benefits in inflammation markers suggests we need more research before drawing strong conclusions.

2. May help with psoriasis symptoms

Psoriasis affects roughly 2 to 3 percent of adults and causes characteristic red, scaly patches that can significantly impact quality of life. Standard treatments work well for many patients, but some seek complementary approaches.

A small single-blind study tested topical sea buckthorn extract in 10 patients with psoriasis over 8 weeks. The treatment appeared to improve both the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores and the Dermatology Life Quality Index 2.

The catch: Ten patients is an extremely small sample size. While the results look promising, I wouldn’t recommend anyone replace proven psoriasis treatments with sea buckthorn based on this alone.

3. May benefit atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting roughly 15 to 30 percent of children and 2 to 10 percent of adults. The condition often runs in families alongside asthma and hay fever.

A double-blind study tested both sea buckthorn pulp oil and seed oil in 49 patients with atopic dermatitis over four months. Both oil types showed some improvement in symptoms compared to baseline 3.

Worth noting: The study compared the two different oil types rather than using a true placebo control, which makes interpretation tricky. For more information on approaches to eczema and atopic dermatitis, I’ve written about this separately.

4. May support cardiovascular health markers

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and modifiable risk factors like blood pressure and blood lipids are primary targets for prevention.

A randomised, double-blind trial tested sea buckthorn seed oil in 106 participants: 32 healthy controls and 74 with hypertension and elevated blood lipids. After 30 days, the sea buckthorn group showed improvements in blood pressure, lipid profiles, and antioxidant capacity compared to placebo 4.

Reality check: One month is a short intervention period for cardiovascular outcomes, and the study combined healthy and unhealthy participants in ways that make interpretation difficult. The omega fatty acid content of sea buckthorn is plausible as a mechanism, but we’d need longer trials with harder endpoints before getting excited. Fish oil has much stronger evidence for cardiovascular benefits if that’s your primary concern.

5. May help with vaginal dryness in menopause

Vaginal atrophy affects up to 75 percent of menopausal women and ranks as one of the most common complaints after hot flushes. The main cause is declining oestrogen levels. While hormone replacement therapy works effectively, some women prefer to avoid it due to concerns about breast and endometrial cancer risk.

A double-blind trial involving 116 menopausal women with vaginal dryness tested sea buckthorn oil over three months. The treatment improved vaginal epithelial integrity and vaginal health index scores compared to placebo 5.

My assessment: This is one of the better-designed sea buckthorn studies, with a decent sample size and clinically relevant outcomes. For women who cannot or prefer not to use oestrogen therapy, sea buckthorn oil might be worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

6. May reduce dry eye symptoms

Dry eye disease is increasingly common, particularly with the ubiquitous use of screens. The condition involves abnormal tear film and can cause significant discomfort.

A double-blind study tested sea buckthorn oil in 100 patients with dry eye over three months. The treatment group showed reduced tear film osmolarity (a key diagnostic marker) and less eye redness and burning compared to placebo 6.

In practice: This was a reasonably well-conducted trial. Tear osmolarity is a validated marker for dry eye, so improvements here are meaningful. That said, if you’re experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms, see an optometrist rather than self-treating. Lutein and astaxanthin are other supplements sometimes recommended for eye health.

7. May slow liver fibrosis progression

Liver fibrosis develops when chronic liver injury triggers excessive scar tissue formation. Left unchecked, it can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Common causes include viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

A randomised controlled trial tested sea buckthorn extract in 50 patients with early-stage cirrhosis over six months. The treatment group showed significant reductions in markers of liver fibrosis including laminin, hyaluronic acid, and type III and IV collagen. Liver function markers (AST and ALT) also normalised faster in the sea buckthorn group 7.

A word of caution: While these results are intriguing, patients with liver disease should not self-treat with supplements. Liver disease can be serious, and some supplements can actually worsen liver function. Always discuss with a hepatologist or gastroenterologist first.

Side effects of sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn berries and oil are generally well-tolerated by most healthy adults. However, reported side effects include:

Diarrhoea and abdominal cramps, particularly at higher doses
Orange or reddish discolouration of urine (harmless but can be alarming if unexpected)
Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

A systematic review of sea buckthorn’s safety profile noted that most adverse events in clinical trials were mild and self-limiting 8. That said, absence of evidence isn’t evidence of absence, and long-term safety data are limited.

Who should avoid sea buckthorn? (Contraindications)

Pregnant or breastfeeding women - There’s insufficient safety data, so it’s best to avoid.
Children under 12 years - Same reasoning; the safety profile simply hasn’t been established.
People with bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulants - Sea buckthorn may have mild blood-thinning effects. If you’re taking warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulants, speak with your doctor first. The European Medicines Agency notes this potential interaction 9.
Anyone scheduled for surgery - Stop taking sea buckthorn at least two weeks before any planned surgical procedure due to the potential bleeding risk.
People with low blood pressure - Sea buckthorn may lower blood pressure further. If you’re already on antihypertensive medication, monitor carefully and discuss with your GP.
Individuals with liver or kidney disease - While one study showed potential benefits for liver fibrosis, people with established liver or kidney problems should not self-treat without medical supervision.
Long-term use beyond 3 months - The safety of extended supplementation hasn’t been adequately studied. If you want to use sea buckthorn longer-term, periodic breaks and medical monitoring would be sensible.

Choosing a sea buckthorn supplement

If you decide to try sea buckthorn, a few practical considerations:

Form matters - Sea buckthorn comes as berry extract, pulp oil, seed oil, or whole berry products. These contain different fatty acid profiles, so the form you choose may affect outcomes.
Standardisation - Look for products that specify the flavonoid or fatty acid content so you know what you’re actually getting.
Quality - Choose reputable brands that provide third-party testing, particularly since supplement quality varies enormously.

Final thoughts

Sea buckthorn has some genuinely interesting preliminary research behind it, particularly for skin conditions, dry eye, and possibly cardiovascular and liver health markers. However, most of the studies are small, and the evidence base doesn’t yet support strong recommendations.

If you’re considering sea buckthorn for a specific health concern, it’s worth discussing with your GP or relevant specialist rather than just adding another supplement to your routine. And if you’re dealing with a serious condition like liver disease or poorly controlled cardiovascular risk factors, proven medical treatments should remain your first line of defence.

References:

Larmo PS, et al. Effects of sea buckthorn berries on infections and inflammation. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008;62(9):1123-30.
Namdeo P, et al. A randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of topical sea buckthorn extract in the treatment of psoriasis. Int J Res Med Sci. 2019.
Yang B, et al. Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis. J Nutr Biochem. 2005;16(5):301-4.
Basu M, et al. Anti-atherogenic effects of seabuckthorn seed oil in hypercholesterolemic human subjects. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2016;130:295-299.
Larmo PS, et al. Effects of sea buckthorn oil intake on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. Maturitas. 2014;79(3):316-21.
Larmo PS, et al. Oral sea buckthorn oil attenuates tear film osmolarity and symptoms in individuals with dry eye. J Nutr. 2010;140(8):1462-8.
Gao ZL, et al. Effects of sea buckthorn on liver fibrosis: a clinical study. World J Gastroenterol. 2003;9(7):1615-7.
Olas B. Sea buckthorn as a source of important bioactive compounds in cardiovascular diseases. Food Chem Toxicol. 2016;97:199-204.
European Medicines Agency. Assessment report on Hippophae rhamnoides L., fructus. EMA/HMPC/188801/2017.