Scientifically Supported Health Benefits of Sea Buckthorn
1. Immune function
Sea buckthorn berries are among the richest temperate sources of vitamin C [1] [2] [3]. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system, and to maintaining that function during and after intense physical exercise.
2. Skin, collagen and connective tissue
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage. Beyond that, a double-blind trial in patients with atopic dermatitis found that oral sea buckthorn pulp oil taken for four months significantly improved symptoms, while seed oil had a weaker effect [4]; a companion analysis showed measurable changes in the fatty acid composition of skin glycerophospholipids [5].
3. Eyes and mucous membranes
The best human evidence for sea buckthorn concerns mucous membranes. In a placebo-controlled, quadruple-masked trial, 100 adults with dry eye symptoms took 2 g of sea buckthorn oil daily for three months through the winter. The supplemented group showed significantly less of the seasonal rise in tear film osmolarity — the standard objective marker of tear film instability — and reported less symptom intensity [6]. A companion paper traced the effect to changes in tear film fatty acids [7].
A separate randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in postmenopausal women found improved vaginal epithelial integrity with sea buckthorn oil [8].
4. Omega-7 and barrier tissues
Palmitoleic acid occurs naturally in human sebum and in the lipid layers that keep membranes supple. Sea buckthorn pulp oil is the richest common plant source, at 30–35% of its fatty acids — macadamia, the next contender, runs roughly 15–25% [1] [2] [9]. This is the compositional basis for the mucosal and skin findings above.
5. Blood lipids
A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 randomised controlled trials found that sea buckthorn supplementation reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and raised HDL cholesterol. On subgroup analysis the lipid effect was concentrated in people whose lipids were already abnormal [10]. A randomised crossover trial in 80 overweight women found the same pattern: participants with higher baseline cardiometabolic risk showed lower triglycerides on dried berries and lower total and LDL cholesterol on the oil [11].
6. Inflammation
In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 233 completing participants over 90 days, serum C-reactive protein — a standard marker of low-grade inflammation — fell significantly compared with placebo [12].
7. Antioxidant compounds and their absorption
Vitamin C and vitamin E both contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, and sea buckthorn supplies both together with a dense flavonoid fraction. That the flavonoids are actually absorbed has been demonstrated: in a three-month trial, plasma quercetin rose by 3.0 ng/mL and isorhamnetin by 3.9 ng/mL on 28 g of dried berries daily [13].
8. Digestive tract and gut microbiota
In a 90-day trial, 90 g of sea buckthorn puree daily enriched nine butyrate-producing bacterial genera, including Faecalibacterium and Prevotella [14]. Traditional use for gastric complaints is supported by animal work: in rats, sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils were protective across several experimental gastric ulcer models [15].
References
- Guo X, Zhuo L, Feng Y, Lin M, Le TN, Zhao M, Cai H. Bioactive components and functional applications of sea buckthorn: a review. Food Sci Nutr. 2026;14(8). doi:10.1002/fsn3.72289 · PMID 42643549
- Koskovac M, Cupara S, Kipic M, Barjaktarevic A, Milovanovic O, Kojicic K, Markovic M. Sea buckthorn oil — a valuable source for cosmeceuticals. Cosmetics. 2017;4(4):40. doi:10.3390/cosmetics4040040
- Beveridge T, Li TSC, Oomah BD, Smith A. Sea buckthorn products: manufacture and composition. J Agric Food Chem. 1999;47(9):3480–3488. doi:10.1021/jf981331m · PMID 10552673
- Yang B, Kalimo KO, Mattila LM, et al. Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis. J Nutr Biochem. 1999;10(11):622–630. doi:10.1016/S0955-2863(99)00049-2 · PMID 15539258
- Yang B, Kalimo KO, Tahvonen RL, Mattila LM, Katajisto JK, Kallio HP. Effect of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils on the fatty acid composition of skin glycerophospholipids of patients with atopic dermatitis. J Nutr Biochem. 2000;11(6):338–340. doi:10.1016/S0955-2863(00)00088-7 · PMID 11002130
- Larmo PS, Järvinen RL, Setälä NL, Yang B, Viitanen MH, Engblom JRK, Tahvonen RL, Kallio HP. Oral sea buckthorn oil attenuates tear film osmolarity and symptoms in individuals with dry eye. J Nutr. 2010;140(8):1462–1468. doi:10.3945/jn.109.118901 · PMID 20554904 · NCT00739713
- Järvinen RL, Larmo PS, Setälä NL, Yang B, Engblom JRK, Viitanen MH, Kallio HP. Effects of oral sea buckthorn oil on tear film fatty acids in individuals with dry eye. Cornea. 2011;30(9):1013–1019. doi:10.1097/ICO.0b013e3182035ad9
- Larmo PS, Yang B, Hyssälä J, Kallio HP, Erkkola R. Effects of sea buckthorn oil intake on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Maturitas. 2014;79(3):316–321 · PMID 25104582
- Yang B, Kallio HP. Fatty acid composition of lipids in sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) berries of different origins. J Agric Food Chem. 2001;49(4):1939–1947. doi:10.1021/jf001059s · PMID 11308350
- Geng Y, Wang J, Chen K, Li Q, Ping Z, Xue R, Zhang S. Effects of sea buckthorn on factors related to metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2022;36(11):4101–4114. doi:10.1002/ptr.7596 · PMID 36043374
- Larmo PS, Kangas AJ, Soininen P, et al. Effects of sea buckthorn and bilberry on serum metabolites differ according to baseline metabolic profiles in overweight women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;98(4):941–951. doi:10.3945/ajcn.113.060590 · PMID 23945716
- Larmo P, Alin J, Salminen E, Kallio H, Tahvonen R. Effects of sea buckthorn berries on infections and inflammation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008;62(9):1123–1130. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602831 · PMID 17593932
- Larmo PS, Yang B, Hurme SAM, et al. Effects of sea buckthorn berries on infections and inflammation — flavonol absorption. Eur J Nutr. 2009;48(5):277–282. doi:10.1007/s00394-009-0011-4 · PMID 19288149
- Chen K, Zhou F, Zhang J, Li P, Zhang Y, Yang B. Dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn berry puree alters plasma metabolomic profile and gut microbiota composition in hypercholesterolemia population. Foods. 2022;11(16):2481. doi:10.3390/foods11162481
- Xing J, Yang B, Dong Y, Wang B, Wang J, Kallio HP. Effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) seed and pulp oils on experimental models of gastric ulcer in rats. Fitoterapia. 2002;73(7–8):644–650. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(02)00221-6 · PMID 12490224
- Eccleston C, Yang B, Tahvonen R, Kallio H, Rimbach GH, Minihane AM. Effects of an antioxidant-rich juice (sea buckthorn) on risk factors for coronary heart disease in humans. J Nutr Biochem. 2002;13(6):346–354. doi:10.1016/S0955-2863(02)00179-1 · PMID 12088800