Sea buckthorn does not come from the sea.  It's actually derived from sea buckthorn, a shrub that belongs to the Elaeagnaceae family and grows primarily in the mountainous and coastal areas of eastern Europe and China and records of it date back to ancient Greek times.

Its botanical name, Hippophae rhamnoides,means "tree that makes the horse shine," referring to its ability to improve horses' health and make their hair shiny and smooth.  It was also used to cure blindness in horses.  It has also been said that sea buckthorn leaves were one of the preferred foods of the mythical flying horse, Pegasus.

Sea buckthorn leaves are loaded with a variety of nutrients and antioxidants essential for good health, including:-Alpha-tocopherol, Amino acids, Astralagin, Beta carotene, Boron, Calcium, Catechins, Copper, Ellagic acid, Ferulic acid, Gallic acid, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Niacin, Omega-3. Omega-6, Pantothenic acid, Potassium, Quercetins, Riboflavin, Salicylic acid, Tannins, and Vitamin C.

For centuries, European and Asian cultures have used the medicinal properties of sea buckthorn.  Its medicinal value was recorded as early as the eighth century in the Tibetan medical classic rGyud Bzi. Traditional Chinese Medicine’s use of sea buckthorn also dates back centuries.

Published in the September 2011 issue of the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, a study found that sea buckthorn leaf tea derived from the leaves of the Hippophae rhamnoides plant significantly reduced visceral fat in obese mice. These weight loss effects were attributed to the ability of the sea-buckthorn tea to regulating lipid metabolism.

International Immunopharmacology 2005 study alos found that sea buckthorn leaf extracts promote substantial anti-inflammatory activity and could be useful in treating arthritis.

Another study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (2008), has found that extracts from sea buckthorn leaves also provide significant liver protection. Tannins, catechins, vitamin E, carotenoids, ferulic acid, flavonoids, and salicylic acid found in the leaves work to calm an overactive inflammatory response and absorb free radicals, while other nutrients provide the cells with needed nourishment.

India researchers discovered sea-buckthorn leaf extracts have strong antioxidant activity in vitro. High levels of antioxidants are believed it can protect against many age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, macular degeneration of the eye, and Alzheimer's disease. Antioxidant-rich infusions such as sea-buckthorn tea also make a nice addition to anti-wrinkle diets due to their ability to scavenge free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that can cause wrinkles and sagging skin.


Benefits of Sea Buckthorn Leaf Tea


Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. A tea containing sea buckthorn leaves is used as a source of vitamins, antioxidants, protein building blocks (amino acids), fatty acids and minerals; for improving blood pressure and lowering cholesterol; preventing and controlling blood vessel diseases; and boosting immunity.