Sea buckthorn is a medium-sized hardy (and rather spiky) shrub that grows between 2-6 metres in height. It’s commonly found in the Northern Hemisphere, growing in mountainous areas and along river banks. In April, the shrub blooms pretty yellow flowers, followed by bright orange berries that ripen between August and December.
These berries aren’t just beautiful to look at - they’re also packed full of goodness! Hence, why they’re harvested and used to create a plethora of health supplements, including Sea Buckthorn oil and fruit powders.
Interested in finding out more? Join us as we answer the question ‘what is the best way to take Sea Buckthorn’ and provide a collection of tasty recipes for you to enjoy...
Sea Buckthorn berries are naturally tart in flavour and can be likened to sour orange, with hints of mango. Some people also say they taste a little like pineapple - we guess it depends on your taste buds!
One of the great things about Sea Buckthorn is that it’s incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of recipes. So if you’re wondering, what is the best way to take Sea Buckthorn, you’ve got plenty of options.
While fresh Sea Buckthorn berries can be difficult to buy in certain parts of the world, Sea Buckthorn powder (a 100% natural freeze-dried version) is available to purchase right here on the Mountainlife website.
Our Siberian Sea Buckthorn powder can be mixed with water to create a fruity tea, blended in your favourite superfood smoothies or sprinkled on yoghurt, cereal, porridge and even salads!
Ingredients:
Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy right away!
Ingredients:
Blend the ingredients on high speed for 2 minutes or until smooth. Drink at breakfast to supercharge your body for the day ahead.
If you prefer a smoothie bowl, we highly recommend checking out this Sea Buckthorn powder smoothie bowl recipe by My Berry Forest. Simply swap the frozen Sea Buckthorn berries for our powder - it’s equally as nutritious and will taste every bit as delicious!
Ingredients:
Method:
Preheat your oven 200C. Combine the pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and Sea Buckthorn powder in a mixing bowl. Next, gently heat the olive oil and honey together, before adding in the ginger and cinnamon. Pour over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl and stir well. Transfer the mixture to a baking tray and spread evenly. Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway. Remove from the oven and let the granola cool, before cutting into smaller bars.
Did you know the Sea Buckthorn shrub also produces oil? Cold-pressed from the berries, Sea Buckthorn oil has powerful healing properties and can be applied topically to treat a wide range of skin conditions from dryness and eczema to acne and sunburn. Read our post ‘5 Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits for Skin & Hair’ to find out more.
Now you’re clued up on the best ways to take Sea Buckthorn, you might be wondering exactly how it’s going to benefit you?
Known as the ‘wonder plant’ in Asian countries, Sea Buckthorn powder contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals. For starters, it’s rich in Vitamin C, containing up to 9 times more than other citrus fruits. It is also a fantastic source of Omega 7 and vitamin B12, both of which are important fatty acids and nutrients for vegetarians and vegans, who can’t get them from meat and fish.
Additionally, Sea Buckthorn oil contains the following:
Phytochemicals -These are important chemicals produced by the plant to protect itself from external sources, such as predators and harsh weather conditions. They benefit humans (through taking Sea Buckthorn powder) by strengthening the immune system, reducing inflammation and regulating hormones.
Phospholipids & Glycolipids -Natural organic molecules that help to stabilise and regulate the control of cellular regulation, within the cell membranes. They improve the communication and function of our cells.
Beta Carotene -This is a red-orange pigment that naturally occurs in Sea Buckthorn berries. The body converts it into Vitamin A - an important vitamin for preventing age-related macular degeneration and slowing cognitive decline. It also boosts the immune system and improves the skin.
Omega 7 fatty acids -Sea Buckthorn powder is a source of rare Omega 7 fatty acids, including palmitoleic acid, which supports heart health, improves satiety (for weight management) and reduces inflammation and swelling.
Omega 9 fatty acids -Sea Buckthorn Oil contains oleic acid which supports cellular and heart health, enhances brain function and assists in healthy weight management.
Thanks to its abundance of active ingredients, Sea Buckthorn powder provides a wide range of health benefits to the body. Its powerful antioxidants help to flush out free radicals in the body and reduce the impact of oxidative stress. This not only helps to slow down signs of ageing but can also prevent chronic disease.
Sea Buckthorn oil may also:
Sea Buckthorn has been used as a medicine and food in Europe, Russia and Asia for more than 2000 years. It is also well documented in Ancient Tibetan medical texts for its use as a treatment for fevers, inflammation, abscesses, the common cold, constipation, stomach tumours and gynaecological diseases.
What’s more, the powers of Sea Buckthorn were so highly valued by the Ancient Greeks that they believed it was the main food source of the mythical winged horse, Pegasus and gave him the ability to fly.
While we can’t promise you’ll be flying any time soon, we can say that our Sea Buckthorn powder will make a valuable addition to your diet.
We hope our blog post has answered your question ‘what is the best way to take Sea Buckthorn?’ with plenty of delicious recipes to try. As always, if you have any questions about any of our superfoods, berry powders or medicinal mushrooms, drop us a message. We’re always happy to hear from you!
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