Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a hardy shrub that grows throughout Europe and Asia. The berries and seeds of the Sea Buckthorn plant are a rich source of essential fatty acids. The fruit oil is notable for its high content of palmitoleic acid, an omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid rarely found in plant oils, along with oleic acid, carotenoids and fat-soluble antioxidants. The seed oil provides higher levels of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). ^1,2  Together, fruit and seed oils provide a broad lipid profile that includes omega-3, omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9 fatty acids, as well as vitamin E compounds, phytosterols and carotenoids. These constituents underpin the main therapeutic properties of Sea Buckthorn oil - support of mucosal barrier integrity, inflammatory balance, skin hydration, and lipid metabolism.³

Therapeutic Indications

Vaginal Atrophy and Dryness

Menopause-related vaginal atrophy is a common condition affecting older women due to reduced oestrogen exposure. Symptoms commonly include dryness, itching, burning, discomfort and dyspareunia. A randomised, double-blind trial in postmenopausal women investigating the effects of 3 g/day of fruit and seed oil for three months found that Sea Buckthorn improved vaginal epithelial integrity compared with placebo, without evidence of an oestrogen-receptor-mediated effect.⁴

Similarly, in another randomised controlled trial, scores decreased significantly from baseline for dry vagina (2.10 to 1.70; p=0.008) and itching vagina (2.45 to 1.85; p<0.001) for Sea Buckthorn oil. Around 60% - 65% rated Sea Buckthorn oil treatment as satisfactory or very satisfactory for vaginal dryness and vaginal itching.⁵

In a trial of 24 women with Sjogren’s Syndrome, treatment with Sea Buckthorn oil resulted in a higher percentage of improved cases, as assessed by 12 typical symptoms of the mucosa of the eyes, mouth, skin and genital tract. More patients had improvement in the condition of the genital mucosa from using Sea Buckthorn oil compared with placebo (p<0.01). The improvement was shown as alleviation of itching, burning, pain, discharge and dryness of the vagina.⁶

Topical Sea Buckthorn cream significantly improved vaginal health index compared to control. Significant decrease in vaginal pH occurred for a higher dose of Sea Buckthorn cream. Symptoms and vaginal dryness were significantly improved in women that used creams (Sea Buckthorn, nonhormonal), in comparison to the control group.⁷

Dry Eye

Sea Buckthorn oil has some beneficial effects on dry eye symptoms. In a randomised, double-blind trial, individuals with dry eye consumed Sea Buckthorn fruit and seed oil (2 g/day) or placebo oil for three months. There was a general increase in the tear film osmolarity from baseline to the end of the study. Compared with the placebo group, the increase was significantly less in the Sea Buckthorn group (p<0.05). Tear film hyperosmolarity is an important factor in dry eye, leading to inflammation. Symptom logs showed significantly lower maximum scores for redness (p=0.04) and burning scores (p=0.04) for Sea Buckthorn, compared to placebo.⁸

Skin Health

Sea Buckthorn oil’s combination of essential fatty acids, palmitoleic acid, carotenoids, tocopherols and phytosterols supports its use for dry skin, skin moisture, elasticity and texture.

In a trial, 30 women aged 50-70 years applied Sea Buckthorn seed oil to their face (1% in an oil-in-water emulsion cream), twice per day for three months. Skin thickness, hydration and elasticity were significantly increased. It was theorised that the increase in skin thickness was due to positive structural changes and improved collagen synthesis.⁹

Another trial in women found supplementation with Sea Buckthorn oil improved skin moisture and texture (significant compared to placebo), and decreased redness and number of pores (statistically significant from baseline only). Collagen density also significantly increased from baseline.⁵

Cardiovascular Health

A trial in overweight women found that Sea Buckthorn oil at 4 g/day significantly decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and some lipid particles.¹⁰ Another trial in overweight children found Sea Buckthorn oil (800 mg/day) resulted in significant reductions in total cholesterol and triglycerides. Triglycerides decreased from 1.29 to 0.98 mmol/L (p<0.01). In addition, carotid artery intima-media thickness, a marker of pre-atherosclerosis, as well as levels of leptin and fasting C-peptide (a surrogate marker of insulin resistance) were also significantly decreased. Participants did not change their diet or level of physical activity during the study.¹¹

Other Uses

Additional indications include rheumatoid arthritis,^12,13 chronic periodontitis,¹⁴ psoriasis,¹⁵ burns,¹⁶ stomatitis^17,18 and chronic cervicitis. ^19,20  This indicates that Sea Buckthorn oil may be useful where epithelial repair, barrier restoration, lubrication, or inflammatory modulation are desired. Topical use is especially relevant for local skin and mucosal conditions, including vulvovaginal atrophy, psoriasis, burns, and oral ulceration. Oral use may be better suited to systemic support of mucosal, ocular, skin, and metabolic health.

Summary

Sea Buckthorn fruit and seed oil is emerging as a comprehensive essential fatty acid source with applications in dry or atrophic mucosa, dry eye, skin barrier support, and selected cardiometabolic contexts. Its strength lies in the convergence of its fatty acid composition, antioxidant content, and emerging clinical evidence for barrier and mucosal health.

References

¹ Yang B, Kallio H. Composition and physiological effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae) lipids. Trend Food Sci Technol. 2002 May 1;13(5):160-7.

² Erkkola R, Yang B 2003: Sea buckthorn oils: towards healthy mucous membranes. Agro Food Ind Hi-Tech 2003;3:53-7.

³ Larmo PS, Yang B, Hyssälä J, Kallio HP, Erkkola R. Effects of sea buckthorn oil intake on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Maturitas. 2014 Nov;79(3):316-21. DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.07.010.

⁴ Larmo PS, Yang B, Hyssälä J, Kallio HP, Erkkola R. Effects of sea buckthorn oil intake on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Maturitas. 2014 Nov;79(3):316-21. DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.07.010.

⁵ Chan LP, Yen TW, Tseng YP, Yuen T, Yuen M, Yuen H, et al. The impact of oral sea-buckthorn oil on skin, blood markers, ocular, and vaginal health: A randomized control trial. J Funct Foods. 2024 Jan 1;112:105973. Corrigendum: J Funct Foods. 2024 Jul 1;118:106250.

⁶ Yang B, Erkkola R. Effects of sea buckthorn oil on mucous membranes of patients of Sjögren’s syndrome (1). The 97th Annual Meeting & Expo of American Oil Chemists' Society. 2006 Apr 30-May 3; St Louis, USA.

⁷ Larmo P, Löyttyniemi E, Yang B, Kallio H, Erkkola R. Effects of a sea buckthorn oil cream on vulvovaginal atrophy. Maturitas. 2019 Jun 1;124:145-6.

⁸ Larmo PS, Järvinen RL, Setälä NL, Yang B, Viitanen MH, Engblom JR, et al. Oral sea buckthorn oil attenuates tear film osmolarity and symptoms in individuals with dry eye. J Nutr. 2010 Aug;140(8):1462-8. DOI: 10.3945/jn.109.118901.

⁹ Yang B, Bonfigli A, Pagani V, Isohanni T, von-Knorring A, Jutila A, et al. Effects of oral supplementation and topical application of supercritical CO₂ extracted sea buckthorn oil on skin ageing of female subjects. J Appl Cosmetol. 2009 Jan;27(1):1-13.

¹⁰ Larmo PS, Kangas AJ, Soininen P, Lehtonen HM, Suomela JP, Yang B, et al. Effects of sea buckthorn and bilberry on serum metabolites differ according to baseline metabolic profiles in overweight women: a randomized crossover trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Oct;98(4):941-51. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.113.060590.

¹¹ Virgolici B, Lixandru D, Casariu ED, Stancu M, Greabu M, Totan A, et al. Sea buckthorn pulp oil treatment prevents atherosclerosis in obese children. ISRN Oxidative Med. 2013;2013(1):164941.

¹² Zugravu GS, Dimitriu DC, Ciobanu CP, Tamba BI, Ciorpac M, Mihai C, et al. Benefits of sea buckthorn fruit oil as adjuvant therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Farmacia. 2024 May 1;72(3):554-64.

¹³ Zugravu GS, Pintilescu C, Cumpat CM, Miron SD, Cojocaru DC, Miron A. Sea buckthorn fruit oil supplementation in active rheumatoid arthritis: A focus on composite disease activity indices and EULAR response. Med Surg J. 2024 Jun 28;128(2):422-36.

¹⁴ Sharma A, Sharma S, Khattri S, Garg H. Role of sea buckthorn oil in management of chronic periodontitis: follow-up study. Int J Dent Res. 2016;4:33-7.

¹⁵ Boca AN, Ilies RF, Saccomanno J, Pop R, Vesa S, Tataru AD, et al. Sea buckthorn extract in the treatment of psoriasis. Exp Ther Med. 2019 Feb;17(2):1020-3. DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6983.

¹⁶ Wang ZY, Luo XL, He CP. Management of burn wounds with Hippophae rhamnoides oil. [In Chinese]. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2006 Jan;26(1):124-5.

¹⁷ Wang LJ. Seabuckthorn oil and chymotrypsin are effective in treating ulcerative stomatits of children. Hippophae 1992;5(2):32. [In Chinese] In: Singh VB, editor. Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.). A multipurpose wonder plant, Volume 2: biochemisty and pharmacology. New Delhi: Daya Publishing House; 2005. p. 363-89.

¹⁸ Wang R, Hu ZY. Clinical observation of effects of on stamotocace of patients with leukemia. Pract J Combined Chin Tradit Med West Med. 1994;7(12):729-30. [In Chinese] In: Singh VB, editor. Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.). A multipurpose wonder plant, Volume 2: biochemisty and pharmacology. New Delhi: Daya Publishing House; 2005. p. 363-89.

¹⁹ Wu AR, Su YC, Li JF, Liu QL, Lu JX, Wei XZ, et al. Effect of a seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil preparation on the chronic cervicitis. In: Singh V, Yang B, Kallio H, Bala M, Sawhney RC, Gupta RK et al, editors. Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.). A multipurpose wonder plant. Vol. II: Biochemistry and pharmacology. Dehli: Daya Publishing House; 2006. p498-70.

²⁰ Wang J. A preliminary report on the clinical effects of seabuckthorn seed oil on partial erosion of cervix. Hippophae. 1995;8(2):37-8. Cited by Sharma PC, editor. The Seabuckthorn genome. Springer; 2022. p 290.