The seabuckthorns (Hippophae L.) are deciduous shrubs in the genus Hippophae, family Elaeagnaceae. It is also referred to as sea buckthorn, sand thorn, sea berry, Siberian pineapple or liquid gold. It is by far the most widespread of the species in the genus, with a range extending from the Atlantic coasts of Europe right across to northwestern China.
The English name of sea buckthorn may have to do with the fact that in Western Europe, it is largely confined to sea coasts. In central Asia, it's found in desert areas where other plants cannot survive the dry conditions. In central Europe and Asia it also occurs as a sub-alpine shrub above tree lines in mountainous regions.
Sea buckthorn is tolerant of the harshest of conditions. More than 90% or about 1.5 million hectares of the world's sea buckthorn wild forest or plantations can be found in Tibet. There, the plant is utilized for soil and water conservation purposes, including prevention of oil erosion, sand drift and holding of precious water. Sea buckthorn is also considered a beneficial crop and improves soil quality by a process called nitrogen-fixing.
The kind of sea buckthorn we use is called Tibetana and it is grown only in the Tibetan Himalayas. Check out this post for more information about sea buckthorn.
What is The Difference Between Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil and Sea buckthorn Seed oil?
Sea buckthorn has been and continues to be studied by the scientific community to find out more about its fascinating chemical composition and its medicinal qualities. It has been shown in several studies that the ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 is nearly 1:1, the perfect balance for a healthy body. Sea buckthorn contains a full spectrum of fatty acids, carotenoids, phospholipids and minerals. These qualities are distributed in its seed, fruits, leaves and flowers in different proportions and quantity. Here is a summary comparison of the average ingredients between fruit oil and seed oil:
Percentage by weight
For calcium and phosphor absorption and storage, etc
Delay the aging process
Peptic and duotenal ulcer, etc.
Important fatty acid in both human & animals
Palmitoleic Acid (Omega 7)
Important ingredient for healthy skin and cell membrane
Important fatty acid in both human & animals
Oleic Acid (Omega 9)
Unsaturated fatty acid important for both humans & animals
Linoleic Acid (Omega 6)
Polyunsaturated fatty acid essential for both humans and animals,
Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)
Polyunsaturated fatty acid important but often lacking in both humans and animals
The above list shows only the vitamins and minerals with the highest percentages. Sea buckthorn is made of a complex tapestry of phytonutrients and vitamins, some in amounts too small to be listed above. All of these components, even the ones that exist in small amounts, work together to enhance the benefits of the supplement. Read this post for more information on the differences between the two sea buckthorn oils.
Berry Oil vs Seed Oil – Which One is Better?
Even though these two oils come from the same plant, they are very different. We often get asked which is the better oil. The truth is that both oils are great- choosing the right one really depends on your needs.
Knowing the difference between the oils is key to getting the results you are looking for in this supplement.
For a quick reference:
Seabuckthorn Seed Oil Contains Omegas 3, 6 & 9
Seabuckthorn Berry Oil Contains Omegas 7, 6 & 9
For a much more detailed explanation of the differences between sea buckthorn seed and berry oil, check this link. In many situations, we recommend combining the two oils to get the most benefits.
Which Sea Buckthorn Product is Best for me?
The berry oil is high in Omega-7, which can help moisturize cell membranes, has anti-inflammatory properties and can have a positive effect on blood insulin levels. This additional cellular moisture can help people with different dry-eye syndromes, vaginal dryness and dry skin conditions. It can even assist in hydrating the digestive tract and internal organs. It's great for skin and nails as well.
Omega-3 can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels, can reduce inflammation and is known for it's heart and liver supporting functions. Both oils are so high in other vitamins and nutrients that they can be treated almost as a multi-vitamin. Our best selling product is our Omega-7 Complete capsule which combines both oils for maximum benefits. Read more about the two kinds of oil here.
Do you Have Vegan Products?
Our only items which are not vegan are the Omega-7 Complete and Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil Capsule products. For a full list of all of our vegan products, visit this page.
How Do You Use Sea Buckthorn Oil Topically?
Due to its bright colors, sea buckthorn oils require a bit of getting used to when it comes to topical use. There are so many benefits that can be reaped from using sea buckthorn oils topically that it’s worth it to learn how to use them. We highly recommend reading our advice on this topic before you try to use sea buckthorn oils topically to ensure you get the most out of your sea buckthorn oil experience!
Using Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil Topically
Sea buckthorn seed oil is definitely the easier of the two oils to work with. That’s because it’s lighter in color than the berry oil. It will absorb more quickly than the berry oil as well. For these reasons, you can simply massage a drop of sea buckthorn seed oil in areas that need a little more support. Due to its omega 3 and antioxidant content, we find this oil works best for wrinkles, dark spots, or anywhere you may need some age defying support.
Using Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil Topically
Because of its omega 7 content, sea buckthorn berry oil is the most well-known of the two kinds of oils. Sea buckthorn berry oil is perfect for chronic dryness, scars, skin conditions like psoriasis and simply nourishing the skin. Even so, this one of a kind oil can be a little tricky to use topically. We’ve created this guide to help you learn how to give yourself the perfect sea buckthorn oil treatment.
Why Aren’t All Products Certified Organic/Non-GMO?
Our pure oil products (Seed and Berry Oil dropper bottles) are USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.
Our Omega 7 Complete and Seed Oil Capsules are encapsulated with beef gelatin capsules. At this time, there is not a source for high volume Organic Certified beef gelatin capsules. Our capsules are made of the highest quality pure beef capsule and are Kosher Certified. Our capsules are certified by Tablet K.
Can my Kids Take Sea Buckthorn?
We have many customers who do give their children sea buckthorn supplements. Our oils work are especially well for cuts, scrapes and burns. It is always wise to consult your health professional before giving any supplement to children.
Can I Give Sea Buckthorn to my Pets?
Yes, sea buckthorn has been used as a remedy for pets for centuries.