Sea buckthorn contains all vitamins except vitamin D
Sea buckthorn has been known as a medicinal plant since ancient times. In Ancient Greece, young sea buckthorn branches and leaves were used to treat horses, because sea buckthorn made horses’ coats smooth and shiny and helped the animals grow well.
Good fatty acids
Today it is known that sea buckthorn is an exceptionally versatile and nutrient-rich berry. It contains plenty of beneficial oils, fats, and fatty acids that support a horse’s skin wellbeing. The oil content of sea buckthorn berries is about 7 g per 100 g. These oils contain several high-quality fatty acids, including glycerides of oleic, stearic, linoleic, and palmitic acids, as well as other amino acids. In the oil, fatty acids account for 80–95%.
Vitamins for many needs
Sea buckthorn contains plenty of A and E vitamins and carotenoids that are beneficial for horses. Sea buckthorn contains more vitamin E (tocopherol) than the fruit or berries of any other plant. Sea buckthorn contains vitamin E 3.23 mg and tocopherol 3.05 mg/100 g. The vitamin A content is 250 micrograms/100 g, and the ß-carotene content is 1500 micrograms/100 g.
Sea buckthorn contains vitamin C at about 200–450 mg/100 g. This is even 10–20 times the amount compared to an orange! Sea buckthorn flavonoids significantly help the absorption of vitamin C.
Sea buckthorn also contains plenty of other vitamins. The thiamine (B1) content of sea buckthorn berries is 0.03 mg/100 g, riboflavin (B2) is 0.21 mg, niacin is 0.26 mg, pyridoxine (B6) is 0.11 mg, folic acid is 10 micrograms, pantothenic acid is 0.15 mg, and biotin is 3.3 micrograms/100 g. Partial studies provide indications that the seed coat of sea buckthorn may contain a lot of vitamin B12, which usually occurs only in animal products. The body needs vitamin B12, among other things, for blood formation, nervous system function, and maintaining immune response.
In addition, sea buckthorn berries contain vitamin K (coumarins, oxycoumarins), which have anti-inflammatory and cramp-relieving effects, as well as phytosterols, which act as antagonists to cholesterol. The vitamin E in sea buckthorn oil helps maintain muscle function.
Many trace elements
Sea buckthorn contains iron 0.44 mg/100 g. There are also 20 different minerals and trace elements, such as zinc, manganese, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium.
Flavonoids
Sea buckthorn contains plenty of different flavonoids, such as quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin. Overall, sea buckthorn berries contain flavonoids 150–300 mg/100 g.
Traditional uses of sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn oil is a herbal remedy originating from folk medicine, and modern medicine also makes use of it for various purposes.
Sea buckthorn oil helps maintain the normal regeneration of damaged tissue and supports the natural healing of wounds and abrasions. For this reason, it is particularly well suited to supporting various skin issues. Thanks to its bioflavonoids, sea buckthorn has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antiviral, and antimicrobial effects. For this reason, sea buckthorn oil may have a positive effect in the management of many types of skin-related problems. The oils contained in sea buckthorn can reduce inflammation and allergic reactions. Sea buckthorn oil also protects the skin from the damaging effects of the sun and is suitable for sunburnt skin as well. The natural oils found in the pulp, peel, and seeds of sea buckthorn berries alleviate atopic dermatitis.
Sea buckthorn oil has been found to have positive effects in supporting the treatment of gastric ulcers in horses. Because sea buckthorn helps tissues recover faster, it is well suited for horses with different types of gastric irritation. Similarly, sea buckthorn supports normal digestion thanks to its organic acids. Sea buckthorn berries also have an astringent and antiseptic effect on mucous membranes, which is why they have been used, among other things, to treat loose manure.
Sea buckthorn flavones (quercetin, kaempferol) support the strength and pumping action of the heart’s contractions, reduce vascular resistance, and maintain blood vessel elasticity. In this way, sea buckthorn may have positive effects on normal blood pressure. Sea buckthorn has also been observed to lower the cholesterol level in blood plasma. Bioflavones together with vitamin C strengthen capillary walls. The many wellbeing effects of sea buckthorn are due to its oil containing oleic, linolenic, and linoleic acids, along with fat-soluble vitamins A and E and phospholipids, as well as the plant’s sterols and water-soluble vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C. Sea buckthorn oil is also believed to promote fat and protein metabolism.
Sea buckthorn supports the horse’s immune system especially thanks to its high ß-carotene and vitamin C content. For this reason, sea buckthorn products are good for supporting the body’s own immune defence against viral illnesses and for preventing seasonal diseases. Sea buckthorn can also be used as a vitamin- and mineral-rich general tonic for fatigue and general exhaustion.
Sea buckthorn oils support liver cell function, which is important, among other things, in the management of allergies.
Sea buckthorn contains phytoestrogens and phytogonadotropins that act similarly to female hormones. Phytoestrogens have an anabolic effect in the body, meaning they support normal protein synthesis and growth. In animals, phytoestrogens are known to reduce blood cholesterol and increase the levels of potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. They also enhance red blood cell metabolism, improve absorption of substances through the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, and change cell membrane permeability, strongly affecting cellular metabolism. Sea buckthorn is therefore an extremely versatile and nutrient-rich berry for horses to help ensure the intake of important nutrients.
