What Is Seabuckthorn Oil?

History

• The Seabuckthorn bush dates back to ancient times. It is said Ghengis Khan's armies derived their strength from the berries and in ancient Greece, it was fed to race horses to give them a shiny coat and improve their health. The botanical name means "horse" and "light" because it supposedly made blind horses see again.

Significance

• Seabuckthorn oil has a wide array of antioxidants to boast of, as well as phytosterol, vitamin E, beta-carotene and carotenoid. It is the 4th highest source of vitamin C after rose hips and several peppers and is second only to nut meats in vitamin E content.

Benefits

• Seabuckthorn oil is used in alternative medicine for many skin disorders such as eczema and lesions. It is also used to repair sun damaged skin and to help heal burns and wounds.

Identification

• The seabuckthorn is a large thorny bush with oval-shaped orange berries. It's native to Russia, China and Mongolia, but can be grown in Europe and the United States.

Preparation

• Seabuckthorn oil can be bought already prepared commercially, or you can grow your own and prepare it yourself. It is used both internally and externally.