Sea buckthorn (Sea Buckthorn Oil)

Scientific name: Hippophae Ramnoides

Common names: Sandthorn, Sallowthorn or Seaberry

Description:   Sea Buckthorn  are thorny deciduous flowering shrub that can grow between 7 and 13 ft in height and is native to the cold-temperate regions of Europe and Asia. The rough bark is brown or blackish and sea buckthorn has a thick grayish-green crown. This spiny berry-filled bush has pale yellow to dark orange fruits which are oval or lightly roundish and are clustered together. The leaves are lanceolate and has silvery-green upper side.

Sea Buckthorn is used in traditional medicine using its leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits.

In foods, sea buckthorn berries are used to make jams, jellies, juices, purees, and sauces for its sweet flavor.

It is also use is in cosmetics and anti-aging products.


Parts used: leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits are used to make medicine.

Medicinal properties and Health Benefits:

Sea buckthorn oil has been shown to be an amazing healing oil and has been used in traditional medicine for many centuries. Just make sure that you’re aware of the sourcing and that you use pure sea buckthorn oil.

Sea buckthorn oil is more nutrient dense than in any other forms like tea. The oil is extracted from the yellow-orange berries and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant.  There are two types: the seed oil is colored yellow or pale orange and comes from the seeds while the fruit oil comes from fleshy pulp of the berries which is a dark red or reddish orange in color and thicker.

Sea buckthorn is a powerhouse of nutrients as it over 60 nutrients, amino acids, minerals (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus) and Vitamins A, E, C, K, B1, and B2. It has a high amount of folic acid, antioxidants, xanthophylls, carotenoids, beta-carotene, flavonoids, and phenolics. It also contains all four omegas: omega-3, omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9.

Flavonoids have a high level of free radical scavenging activity that's why sea buckthorn is good for the protection against oxidative stress, inflammation, tumor growth, ulcers, and stress-induced conditions.

Linoleic acid and other fatty acids found in sea buckthorn oil secrete chemicals, such as carotenoids and tocopherols, that are good to ease dry eyes and help ease inflammation.


Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits:

1.  Prevents Cancer and helps Combat Cancer

Sea buckthorn oil contains powerful phytonutrients, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and anti-cancerous compounds that limits the toxicity of chemical cancer treatment (chemotherapy). It also has a liver-cleansing effect and it good to fight against cancer of the liver.

2. Anti-aging and help reduce skin problems.

Sea buckthorn oil slows the aging process and helps reduce many issues with skin like acne, dermatitis, dry skin eczema, stretch marks and skin ulcers.  It is also effective in preventing sunburn,sunburn relief, healing wounds like bedsores and cuts.

3. Fights Diabetes

Sea buckthorn has palmitoleic acid, that helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.

4. Prevents Infections and Boosts the Immune System

Since it is rich in antioxidants, it fights free radical and prevents infections. The pure extracted oil contains 2.4x more carotenoids than other oils.

5. Treats Cardiovascular Disease

The fatty acid known as palmitoleic acid, may be useful in providing heart disease-fighting benefits. It also reduces blood cholesterol levels and provides heart-protective effects against free radical damaging cells to prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and even heart attacks.

6. Treats Respiratory problems

Sea buckthorn oil is used as an expectorant for loosening phlegm and for treating asthma.

7. Sea Buckthorn Helps Treat Dry Eye Issues

The fatty acids in sea buckthorn increases tear secretion and moisturises the eyes.

Precaution:

Always best to be careful when taking any new substance and consult a doctor prior to using any supplements or medications.

Sea Buckthorn slows blood clotting so it shouldn't be taken by those with bleeding disorders. It is also contraindicated for those with already low blood pressure since sea buckthorn is known to lower blood pressure. A it may cause extra bleeding during surgery, it’s best to stop using for 2 weeks prior to any scheduled surgery.

Chronic use of sea buckthorn may cause yellow staining of the skin.

St. John’s wort

Scientific name: Hypericum perforatum

Description:

A perennial herb with five-petaled yellow flowers that is named after St. John the Baptist, since it's usually in full bloom by the saint's feast day on June 24.

The elongated yellow petals have black spots on edges while its pale green leaves (when held up to the light) has tiny dots that appears to be perforations, hence the species name “perforatum”.  The round numerous small black seeds are stored inside a three-celled capsule and have a resinous smell.

St. John's wort grows as high as 3 feet, shrubby and primarily found in Europe, but has since spread to the Americas, Russia, Middle East and Asia.

When the yellow flowers are crushed it releases a reddish purple oil and when made into an infused oil or tincture, it turns into red.

The best preparations of St. John’s wort are made from the fresh plant and are superior to anything you can find isolated or dried at the store. The fresh St. John's Wort tea is also delicious with a delightful lemony taste.

This plant blends well with a myriad of herbs (e.g. Chamomile, garlic, lemon, passionflower and valerian) to create tinctures, teas and oils.



Recipes:

St. John's Wort Oil: 


Allow the moisture of the plant to dry off for a day.
Place in a jar and add enough olive oil to cover the flowers. Make sure it is completely covered with oil to avoid molds from setting in.
Leave in a warm place for 4 weeks.
Strain the flowers out and store the oil in a cool dark place.

To use: Apply topically to skin.

St. John's Wort Tincture: 

Cover fresh flowers with 95 proof vodka, using 1:2 fresh herb ratio.
Shake every day.
After 4 weeks, strain out the flowers and cap tightly.

To use: Take 15 - 20 drops 3 times daily.

St. John's Wort Tea: 

Steep 2 - 3 teaspoons of fresh flowers in hot water for 4 minutes, and then strain the flowers out.

If with the dried herb, tea can be made by steeping 2 to 3 teaspoons of herb per cup of water in a covered vessel for 30 minutes.

Strain and drink up to 2 cups/day


Parts used: Leaves and Flowers

Medicinal Properties:

St John's wort is known among herbalists as a wonderful herb for its many traditional uses and benefits. It is a
nervine that acts as a tonic and was traditionally used to deeply balance, nourish and restore the nervous system. It also has antiviral, antibacterial, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, astringency and antimicrobial properties.  In addition, it has diuretic action that helps to promote waste and fluid removal.

It will help improve the overall condition of the whole body as it works to tone the vital organs. St John's wort is know to support the liver as a tonic and by helping to stimulate bile flow aiding in the digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

The leaves of St John's wort contain antidepressant compounds that regulate levels of dopamine, melatonin, and serotonin.  Thus, it is used by herbalists to help ease anxiety, tension, neuralgias, as well as mild to moderate depression.

The flowers (oil, tincture) are used for the treatment of wounds, external ulcers, and bruises. Flower tea is used to relieve of bladder problems, worms, dysentery, and diarrhea.

Pain Reliever = relieves the pain of sore muscles caused by neuralgias, sciatica/  It is also proven effective in pinched nerves,  Bell’s palsy as well as in head and spine trauma or anything that involves the nerve endings.

As an antispasmodic, St. John’s wort helps to relax muscles spasms including spasms in the internal organs.

Wound repair = it helps heal wounds quickly by stimulating granulation and capillary regeneration.

Common cold
Flu
PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), painful menstruation
Incontinence - it has a tonic effect on the urinary system easing incontinence


Precaution/Disclaimer:

St. John’s wort may cause photosensitivity and should not be used during pregnancy. It may also interact with other drugs and is not proven effective treatment for severe depression.

Best to consult your doctor before use. This blog is intended to give general information only and is not intended to cure or act as a physician.