A Potential Super Shrub?

Sea-buckthorns are shrubs (woody plants smaller than trees) which shed their leaves annually. Some call them seaberry, sallowthorn, and sandthorn. It's found scattered from Europe (Atlantic coasts) to China. The specific parts of the plant which have medicinal properties include the leaves, berries and seeds. The title of this article is about the oil extracted from the berries, but for purposes of slight (only slight) completion, we'll mention the importance of the other parts of the plant as well. Hey, it's a super shrub!

Thank the Chinese again for this wonderful, super shrub. They were the first ones to use the plant as medicine. It was formally inducted into the Chinese pharmacopoeia in 1977. In China, it's officially recognized as a plant with real medicinal properties. Western countries are now slowly realizing the immense therapeutic properties this shrub holds under its heavyweight belt. Let's dissect the plant from peel to seed to realize it's awesome lethality in fighting disease and optimizing health.

Dissecting Sea-buckthorn and Its Benefits

Peel. Yes, there are nutrients found in the peel. It contains 5-HT or 5-hydroxytryptamine. This is popularly known as serotonin (the happy hormone). It acts as a neurotransmitter as well as regulating blood pressure, body temperature and emotions. It's no wonder the Chinese are very cheerful. They're always smiling (because of serotonin)! This substance also plays a role in coagulation (procoagulant). This has significance in wound healing.

Pulp. Each berry (fruit) is practically made up of two parts, a fleshy part (pulp of the berry) and the seed (one inside each berry). Oil can be extracted from the pulp and the seed, and is conveniently called berry oil (or pulp oil and fruit juice) and seed oil respectively.

The pulp contains oxalic acid and malic acid. These amazing organic acids are responsible for the sour taste of the fruit (yes, you can eat them directly). They can also lessen the toxicity when you ingest certain antibiotics and barbiturates, and protect you from damage when you're exposed to x-rays.

Besides acids, phospholipids can also be found in the pulp. These include cephalin, lecithin, phosphatidyl, and phosphatidylinositol. These phospholipids are important components of the cell membrane. When combined, they offer an anti-cirrhosis and anti-fatty liver effect.

Flavonoids are also abundant in the pulp. The flavonoids enhance your body's resistance, eliminates inflammation, lowers cholesterol, and controls arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Furthermore, in experiments among animals, they were able to demonstrate that it increased coronary blood flow, inhibited platelet aggregation, and decreased cardiac requirements for oxygen. Catechin, flavonol, leucocyanidin, and flavanone are examples of flavonoids found in the pulp. Flavonoids are available as acetylsalicylic flavonoid tablets, a drug approved by the Chinese to be used for the treatment of chest pain.

Phenols are another group of active substances found in the pulp. They sustain the activities of the flavonoids. They also combat oxidation and radiation effects. Chlorogenic acid, one of the phenols in the pulp has diuretic action and participates in secretion of gastric acid and regulation of thyroid function. Chlorogenic acid is also used as an additive in coffee and bubble gum.

Carotenoids and vitamins C, E, and K are also found in abundance (in the pulp). This mixture provides a formidable weapon against free radicals.

Berry Oil. The berry oil provides palmitoleic acid (omega-7 fatty acid), and palmitic acid (most common fatty acid found in most living organisms). Palmitoleic acid raises insulin sensitivity and decreases the destruction of the cells which secrete insulin. Palmitic acid serves as a precursor to the other fatty acids.

The berry oil also has anti-anaphylactic properties. This decreases the amount of inflammation and severity of allergies you may encounter. It also increases the phagocytic capabilities of macrophages. The berry oil has demonstrated inhibitory effects on the growth and multiplication of cancer cells like sarcomas and leukemias. It also blocks the formation of nitrosamine compounds believed to contribute to the formation of gastric cancer.

Who wants to delay looking old? Was that a loud YES? Berry oil contains anti-aging properties. This is attributed to the presence of superoxide dismutase. It prevents peroxidation of cell membranes by ensuring a radical free environment. This is the reason why it's used in cosmetics and anti-aging creams. Berry oil heals pressure sores and radiation induced dermatitis by initiating tissue repair and regeneration. Inflammation was also demonstrated to be decreased.

Seed Oil. The seed oil contains a lot of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid. Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid. It's recommended in the diet to prevent developing coronary heart diseases. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid. Along with oleic acid, it's considered as an essential fatty acid that is required in the diet.

The seed oil can regulate IL-2 secretion, responsible for activating the multiplication of lymphocytes and in restoring natural killer cells to their normal numbers (during times of decreased numbers).

Leaves. You forgot about the leaves didn't you? Well, the leaves contain coumarin, which is a potent anticoagulant. It reinforces the contraction of capillaries to prevent excessive hemorrhage. Ursolic acid is another active ingredient found in the leaves. Its physiologic action is similar to adrenocortical hormones (hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex), which is sodium reabsorption. It doesn't appear to affect potassium regulation. Lastly, the leaves contain a substance called B-amyrinoley-l alcohol acid. It dilates the blood vessels around your heart and brain relieving pressure.

Sources

Sea-buckthorn is available in a variety of forms. The complete range of products can be found in the form of juice, powder, pigment, beverage (as a softdrink), part of cosmetic preparations and capsules (as medicines). There are many more. Determine which benefit of sea-buckthorn you want. That's the thing you're going to tell the person you talk to over the Internet before ordering. It's best that you don't hurry (and the person you're talking to shouldn't hurry either) in ordering. Know what you want among the multitude of benefits first, then order.

Summary

In summary, it's no surprise to think of sea-buckthorn as a super shrub. All in all, it has positive effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems. In addition, anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-radiation, and anti-inflammatory properties abound in the plant. Studies are ongoing regarding the applications of the components and extracts of sea-buckthorn. It's just a matter of time before western society will be able to accept everything it has to offer. If there was a grand slam winner for all categories of the Oscars, sea-buckthorn would be able to bring home every award.

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