Seabuckthorn Tea: 6 Facts You Need to Know

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Posted Monday, January 19, 2015 at 02:09pm EDT

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The seabuckthorn plant is native to the Baltic Sea, Russia, and parts of Asia, including the Himalayas. Seabuckthorn tea has been prized  for longer than you might think.  In North America, it is a rare and valuable plant!

The ancient Greeks knew the benefits, in fact, the scientific name Hippophae rhamnoides, means shining horse.  The leaves were used as food for horses to make their coats radiant.  Genghis Khan powered his army and their horses on Sea Buckthorn for stamina and recovery from combat.  Legend also has it, the plant was the preferred food of Pegasus.

More recent studies have examined the bio-active ingredients of Seabuckthorn.  Antioxidants, antibacterial, and antivirals are all contained in the leaves of the plant.  These together with Omegas for a healthy heart, and anticancer compounds are proving this plant to be a medicine cabinet which could be growing in your backyard.

The entire plant is amazing!  Berries, bark, roots, and leaves each have their own story.   The leaves, dried and brewed into tea.  Or, dried and powdered can be added to smoothies or a multitude of preparations.  Seabuckthorn is proving to be a super storehouse of essential compounds enhancing both physical and mental health.

So why should you drink Seabuckthorn tea?

  1. Cell Protector – Our bodies are battle grounds for infection and disease. There are at least 6 strong antioxidants in Seabuckthorn tea. These include vitamin C and E.
  2. Stamina – Recent studies have shown Seabuckthorn tea increased stamina by 38%. It fights the fatigue causing chemicals in muscles. Did you know Chinese Olympic athletes drink Seabuckthorn as their official drink?
  3. Anti-Cancer Protection – The compounds in Seabuckthorn tea may prevent DNA from binding to environmental carcinogens.
  4. Psychological Well Being – The tea contains natural substances which promote the production of  mood smoothing and enhancing brain chemicals. Add Seabuckthorn bark and you will have an additional dose of serotonin.
  5. Anti-inflammatory – 3 strong aniti-inflammatory nutrients are in Seabuckthorn tea including Omega-3 and Quercetins. These could play an important role in the prevention of many ailments from sore muscles to dementia.
  6. Fibromyalgia Treatment – Along with the anti-inflamatory benefit, salicylic acid can reduce pain.

Seabuckthorn Tea is available from internet retailers or you can grow your own!

Tom developed Foxgreen Farms, LLC as a land based response to plant, animal, and cultural extinction.  He has studied biology, ecology, the sociology of medicine, and religious ethics,  Tom has managed access to over 3000 acres of wilderness in Maine while protecting the ecology of the land and water. He is the author of the world’s most popular  blog on Seabuckthorn and agro-ecology. Together with his ally, business partner, and buddy Craig they are creating a rural permaculture site in Central Maine. Visit the jiovi website for more information.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/pdf/li.pdf

http://www.eatright.org/

http://www.alive.com/

http://www.seabuckthorn.com/

Tom DeCoste
Tom developed Foxgreen Farms, LLC as a land-based response to biological and cultural extinction, and the increasing separation between people and elemental things. Life as a designer, builder, ecologist, tree-tender, sailor, friend, and backcountry traveler continually informs Tom’s integrative approach to understanding and developing landscapes and buildings. His home landscape serves as a laboratory for the permaculture and human habitat projects of Foxgreen Farm, LLC. Tom has studied biology, conservation ecology, the sociology of medicine, and comparative religious ethics at the graduate level. He has managed access to over 3000 acres of wilderness in Maine while protecting the ecology of the land and watershed. Tom is the author of the world’s most popular and informative blog on the cultivation of Seabuckthorn and agro-ecology. http://www.seaberry-hippophaerhamnoides.blogspot.com. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 demanded a response and Tom was recruited to assist the development and implementation of what is now the largest global counter-terrorist organization in the world. Dedicating a decade of involvement with that project, he was growing dissatisfied with the direction the organization was taking. He discovered permaculture, a design approach based on ecological principles that creates sustainable landscapes, homes, and workplaces. A career change followed, and Tom, together with his companion, compatriot, ally, business partner, and buddy Craig are creating a rural permaculture site in Central Maine.