Sea Buckthorn - Plant of the Future

In short: Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a thorny, dioecious shrub growing up to 6 metres tall, with 0.5 to 1 cm fruits that ripen at the end of August. Plant male and female bushes together in roughly a 1:6 ratio; the first harvest comes after 2 to 4 years. It needs no fertilising, as root nodule bacteria supply nitrogen.

Sea buckthorn (Latin: Hippophae rhamnoides) is a shrub belonging to the Elaeagnaceae family (Latin: Elaeagnaceae). The original homeland of sea buckthorn is the Caucasus and Central Asia. From here, however, it spread very quickly throughout Europe and Asia. In the inhospitable Siberia, sea buckthorn was one of the few plants containing large amounts of vitamin C.

Its other beneficial effects were also well known, which is why it was widely used in medicine. Thanks to its healing properties, locals called sea buckthorn the "Siberian miracle" or "citrus of the north".

Today, modern society is beginning to rediscover the almost miraculous effects of sea buckthorn, which is why it is often nicknamed the "plant of the future". A synonymous name for sea buckthorn is narrow-leaved sea buckthorn. Many newly bred varieties of sea buckthorn come especially from Russia.

These include, for example, "Jantarnaja", "Velikan", "Zolotoj počatok", but also "Krasavice" and "Sluníčko". The Latin name for sea buckthorn - Hippophae - originates from ancient Greek and translates to shining horse. The ancient Greeks claimed that horses grazing in areas where sea buckthorn grew had a noticeably shinier coat than other horses.

What does sea buckthorn look like?

Sea buckthorn is a thorny, deciduous dioecious shrub growing up to 6 metres in height. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate and entire, 3-8 cm long. On both sides they are covered with silvery scales. Since sea buckthorn is a dioecious plant, male and female plants differ in appearance.

Male buds are 2-3 times larger than female buds. Male flowers have no petals. The flower consists of a funnel-shaped calyx with two calyx lobes hiding the pistil. Male flowers are greenish-silver in colour.

Female flowers bloom yellow and contain four stamens composed of longitudinal anthers and short filaments. The fruits of sea buckthorn, for which this shrub is most commonly grown, are drupes of a spherical, ellipsoidal to ovate shape. They grow to a size of 0.5-1 cm. The fruits are yellow, orange or red in colour.

The flesh is orange-coloured with an oily texture. The taste of the fruits varies according to individual varieties from sour through bitter to sweetish. Sea buckthorn fruits ripen at the end of August and adorn the shrub until winter.

Sea buckthorn is often used to stabilize slopes, because its roots are only superficial, growing to a depth of 10 - 60 cm, branching rather horizontally. Root nodules form on the roots containing nodule bacteria that bind atmospheric nitrogen needed for the plant's metabolism. The plant can thus survive even in very inhospitable conditions without fertilization.

Growing Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn grows almost everywhere, it will thrive best in a sunny location in lighter, sandy and well-drained soil rich in calcium. However, you can also grow it in a more humid location, it tolerates even slightly saline soil. Given that sea buckthorn originates from the Caucasus, it has no problems surviving our frosty winters. Freezing can occur exceptionally during long-term extreme frosts when grown in a humid location.

Sea buckthorn is a dioecious plant, so always plant both male and female plants in one location!!! A suitable ratio is approximately 1:6 in favor of female plants. You can plant sea buckthorn as solitary plants (in pairs) or as a group of shrubs. When planting a larger group, keep in mind that the plants will spread out and have thorns, so plant them with sufficient spacing to easily access the ripe fruits later.

You can also use sea buckthorn to plant infertile and devastated soils. It's also useful on slopes and banks of water bodies that you want to stabilize. Sea buckthorn doesn't need watering, it usually manages with water from rainfall, only during periods of prolonged drought can you give it some extra water.

Fertilization is also not necessary, the supply of nutrients is provided by nodule bacteria living in the root nodules. In plants older than ten years, gradual reduction of growth occurs, so perform rejuvenation pruning down to three-year-old wood. When you get a fruit harvest, don't forget to pick them on time, because the content of valuable substances decreases in overripe fruits. Sea buckthorn begins to bear fruit around 2 - 4 years.

Growing Sea Buckthorn from Seeds

You can also grow sea buckthorn from seeds. It's not, just like growing a mature shrub, anything complicated. Sowing is best done in spring, when the climatic and temperature conditions are most favorable.

Seeds are not demanding on soil, but alkaline, lighter soils are more suitable. You can sow seeds directly in the final location into the soil or pre-grow the plants in a pot. When sowing at the final location, first remove weeds and loosen the soil. The ideal temperature for sowing is min. 17 °C. With pre-growing, the probability of success will be higher, because you'll find it easier to maintain the ideal temperature and there's no risk of physical damage to young plants, e.g. by domestic animals...

Water young seedlings moderately; they tolerate drought better than waterlogging. Keep in mind that they need a sufficiently large pot to allow the root system to develop properly. Plant mature sea buckthorn seedlings in their permanent location, making sure the root ball doesn't dry out before the plant becomes well-established. Although it tolerates drought very well otherwise, it requires regular watering during the rooting period.

Vitamin treasure hidden in sea buckthorn berries

Sea buckthorn berries contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals. The B vitamin group is well represented. Sea buckthorn berries contain vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, which help maintain harmony in the central nervous system. They also contain B9, known as folic acid, which supports blood formation and the growth and development of the fetus.

Sea buckthorn contains truly abundant amounts of vitamin C, reportedly up to 10 times more than oranges. Scientists even claim that a single berry can cover the recommended daily dose of vitamin C. A great advantage is that vitamin C is preserved even in products made from sea buckthorn.

Vitamin D contained in the berries contributes to proper bone growth and development and also regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Sea buckthorn holds the record for vitamin E content, containing more than any other plant fruit. Vitamin E is used in treating male sterility, muscular dystrophy, and cardiovascular disorders. The presence of vitamin K, which supports blood clotting, is also noteworthy.

The carotene content, from which vitamin A is formed, in sea buckthorn equals that of carrots, which are considered one of its richest sources. The vitamins in sea buckthorn berries are present in a balanced ratio, which is the reason for their exceptional healing power.

Overdosing may cause heartburn or possibly vomiting due to oil intolerance when taken internally. However, these problems are very unlikely.

Medicinal effects and uses of sea buckthorn

The medicinal effects of sea buckthorn were known to folk healers in Siberia, Mongolia, and China in ancient times. They used it to treat pulmonary, hepatic, digestive, and joint diseases. In traditional Tibetan medicine, it is administered for cardiovascular diseases and intoxications. Sea buckthorn berries are used for hypovitaminosis and avitaminosis.

Their consumption contributes to improving health in patients after infectious diseases and surgical procedures. People suffering from digestive problems and gallbladder issues should also include them in their diet. Fresh berries are used to treat all types of colds, flu, sore throat, headaches, reproductive system diseases and urinary tract infections. They are suitable for use during increased stress, work and sports activities.

Berry juice is used as a supportive remedy to reduce stomach acid levels. Syrups and juices from sea buckthorn berries help to increase performance, improve memory and concentration in the long term. Sea buckthorn oil is also very effective, as it increases the body's resistance and supplements vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body. Sea buckthorn oil can regenerate tissues, heal burns and varicose veins.

Infusion from dried leaves is used for runny nose. In traditional medicine, the leaves are also used to treat rheumatism and gout. If you want to slow down hair loss and strengthen your hair, rinse it regularly with a decoction of sea buckthorn leaves. Recently, initial positive results have been proven in treating cervical cancer. The content of the alkaloid hippophein is also significant, which converts to serotonin in the body, which is important for overall vitality and helps protect the body against depression and tumours. No adverse effects have been observed with sea buckthorn use, nor are there any known contraindications.

Russian cosmonauts also used sea buckthorn oil as a vitamin supplement and protection against radiation during their space missions.