Quick Summary

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a botanical plant traditionally used in Tibetan, Mongolian, and Chinese medicine. It contains a wide range of bioactive compounds and has been investigated for potential benefits in cardiovascular health, metabolic syndrome, digestive diseases, skin and mucosal health, and wound healing. Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggests it may produce small reductions in fasting blood glucose and diastolic blood pressure, though consistent benefits on other cardiometabolic outcomes have not been demonstrated. Preclinical and traditional uses highlight possible anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Clinical data remain limited, and larger, rigorous studies are needed before clinical recommendations can be made.

What is it?

Sea Buckthorn is a deciduous shrub native to Europe and Asia, particularly known for its bright orange berries. The plant has been widely used in traditional medicine systems in Tibet, Mongolia, and China. Both the berries and other parts of the plant have been used for their potential health-supportive properties.

Traditional Uses

  • Support of cardiovascular health
  • Treatment of digestive disorders
  • Skin and mucosal healing and protection
  • Wound healing, including burns
  • General anti-inflammatory and immune support applications

Active Compounds

Sea Buckthorn contains various bioactive compounds including:

  • Flavonoids
  • Polyphenols
  • Unsaturated fatty acids
  • Vitamins and antioxidants
  • Other phytochemicals with potential biological activities

Potential Benefits with Evidence Levels

Cardiometabolic Factors

Supplementation has shown statistically significant but clinically negligible reductions in fasting blood glucose and diastolic blood pressure, with no consistent effects on lipid profiles, systolic blood pressure, or BMI.

Evidence level: Very low certainty clinical evidence from 12 RCTs (n=901 adults).

Digestive Diseases

Preclinical and some clinical evidence suggest bioactive metabolites may possess anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, intestinal protective, and anticancer effects in digestive diseases.

Evidence level: Mostly preclinical (in vitro and in vivo) with some clinical data; further validation needed.

Skin and Mucosal Health

Exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue repair properties supporting skin and mucosal barrier integrity and wound healing in preclinical studies.

Evidence level: Primarily preclinical evidence; clinical trials limited.

Cardiovascular Disease

Preclinical studies show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vascular function modulation, and anti-platelet aggregation effects. Some clinical trials indicate potential support in managing lipid metabolism, blood pressure, and glucose levels.

Evidence level: Preclinical and limited clinical trials with promising but inconclusive results.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Flavonoids and unsaturated fatty acids exhibit anti-inflammatory effects relevant to barrier protection and systemic inflammation.

Evidence level: Preclinical evidence.

Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory

Polyphenols and flavonoids contribute to antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties as demonstrated in preclinical studies and some in vivo models.

Evidence level: Preclinical and some in vivo studies.

Wound Healing

May support burn and wound healing through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities; however, clinical evidence remains limited.

Evidence level: Preclinical evidence; clinical evidence limited and requiring further trials.

Side Effects

Current clinical trials and reviews report no major safety concerns or serious adverse effects associated with Sea Buckthorn. No significant adverse effects have been well documented to date; however, due to limited high-quality safety data, specific adverse effects remain insufficiently characterized.

Drug Interactions

No specific evidence of drug interactions with Sea Buckthorn is available. Caution is advised when using it concomitantly with conventional medications until further pharmacokinetic and interaction studies are conducted.

Who Should Avoid It

  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid use unless supervised by a healthcare professional due to insufficient safety data.
  • Individuals with unknown sensitivities or allergies to Sea Buckthorn or related plants should use caution.
  • Use cautiously in populations lacking safety data.

Evidence Limitations

  • Most clinical trials have small sample sizes, short durations, and methodological limitations contributing to very low certainty of evidence.
  • Heterogeneity among Sea Buckthorn preparations (berries, purees, powders, extracts, oils) affects outcome consistency and comparability.
  • Many pharmacological benefits are based on preclinical (in vitro and animal) studies with limited direct applicability to humans.
  • Lack of standardized dosing and phytochemical standardization in clinical studies.
  • Scarcity of rigorous large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trials to substantiate clinical efficacy and safety.
  • Potential Pan-Assay Interference Compounds (PAINS) in bioactivity assays may confound interpretation of some pharmacological data.

References

  • Moroşan AG, Nicolescu A, Mocan A, Frumuzachi O. Is sea buckthorn berry a sustainable intervention for the modulation of cardiometabolic risk factors? An updated, critical synthesis of randomized controlled trials with meta-analysis, trial sequential analysis, and GRADE certainty assessment. 2026. Europe PMC.
  • Liu M, Yu T, Nurlan U, Wu Z, Zhao J. Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): a comprehensive review. 2026. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13002580
  • Dong W, Tang Y, Qiao J, Dong Z, Cheng J. Sea buckthorn bioactive metabolites and their pharmacological potential in digestive diseases. 2025. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC12500570
  • Chen Y, He W, Cao H, Wang Z, Liu J, Wang B, Wang C. Research progress of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. 2024. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC11527678
  • Geng Y, Wang J, Chen K, Li Q, Ping Z, Xue R, Zhang S. Effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on factors related to metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36043374/
  • Song X, Sun X, Yuan H, Tang Y, Zheng F. The role of sea buckthorn in skin and mucosal health: a review from an anti-inflammatory perspective. 2025. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC12644098
  • Bagheri M, Zarei SM, Soodmand M, Mardani Nafchi H, Hashemi Poor MH. In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Trial Approaches to Investigate the Effects of Medicinal Plants on Burn Wound Healing: A Systematic Review. 2025. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC12591707
  • Zharykbasova K, Kakimov A, Zharykbasov Y, et al. Functional Properties of Enriched Curd with Collagen and Plant Phytochemicals for Athletes and Physiological Benefits: Evidence Data from Preclinical Trials In Vivo. 2025. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC12609710

Last Reviewed

June 2024

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new herbal supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have existing health conditions, or are taking other medications.