Envoy at 15:59, 15 October 2007

2007-10-15T15:59:09Z

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{{Unreferenced|date=March 2007}}
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Sea-buckthorn
| image = Hippophae rhamnoides-01 (xndr).JPG
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Common Sea-buckthorn shrub in [[Netherlands|The Netherlands]]
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| phylum = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Elaeagnaceae]]
| genus = '''''Hippophae'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
''[[Hippophae rhamnoides]]''<br>
''[[Hippophae salicifolia]]''<br>
''[[Hippophae tibetana]]''
}}

The '''sea-buckthorns''' (''Hippophae rhamnoides'' L.) are [[deciduous]] [[shrub]]s in the genus ''Hippophae'', family [[Elaeagnaceae]]. The name sea-buckthorn, hyphenated here to avoid confusion with the [[buckthorn]]s (''Rhamnus'', family [[Rhamnaceae]]), is also referred to as "sea buckthorn", "seabuckthorn", sandthorn or "seaberry".<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = PLANTS Profile for Hippophae rhamnoides (seaberry)
| work =
| publisher = United States Department of Agriculture
| date =
| url = http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HIRH80
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = October 8, 2007}}</ref>

An organization called the International Center for Research and Training on Seabuckthorn (ICRTS) was formed jointly in 1988 by the China Research and Training Center on Seabuckthorn, the Seabuckthorn Office of the Yellow River Water Commission, and the Shaanxi Seabuckthorn Development Office[http://www.icrts.org/index.htm]. ICRTS published the research journal, ''Hippophae'', from 1995 to 2000[http://www.icrts.org/publications/previous/hippophae.htm]; it does not appear to be active currently.

Since the early 21st century in the United States, other such industrialized countries, and the global [[functional food]] industry, there has been a rapidly growing recognition of sea-buckthorn berries for their consumer product potential, exceptional [[nutrient]] content and [[antioxidant]] qualities, giving them commercial status as a novel "[[superfruit]]"[http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/articles/472/6ah169431758327.html][http://www.hortresearch.co.nz/index/news/493][http://www.prleap.com/pr/73537/].

==Description and Distribution==
There are three species, native over a wide area across [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. They reach 0.5-6 m tall, rarely up to 18 m in central Asia, and typically occur in dry, sandy areas. They are tolerant of [[sodium chloride|salt]] in the air and soil, but demand full sunlight for good growth and cannot tolerate shady conditions near larger [[tree]]s.

[[Image:Sea-buckthorn.jpg|left|thumb|Common Sea-buckthorn foliage and berries]]
The '''Common Sea-buckthorn''' ''Hippophae rhamnoides'' is by far the most widespread, with a range extending from the Atlantic coasts of Europe right across to northwestern China. In western Europe, it is largely confined to [[sea]] [[coast]]s where salt spray off the sea prevents other larger plants from out-competing it, but in central Asia it is more widespread in dry semi-desert sites where other plants cannot survive the dry conditions; in central Europe and Asia it also occurs as a subalpine shrub above [[tree line]] in [[mountain]]s, and other sunny areas such as river banks.

Common Sea-buckthorn branches are dense and stiff, and very thorny. The [[leaf|leaves]] are a distinct pale silvery-green, lanceolate, 3-8 cm long and less than 7 mm broad. It is [[plant sexuality|dioecious]], with separate male and female plants. The male produces brownish flowers which produce wind-distributed [[pollen]].

===Berries and leaves===
The female plants produce orange [[berry|berries]] 6-9 mm in diameter, soft and juicy, and rich in [[vitamin C]] (on average 120mg per 100g and sometimes up to 600mg per 100g [http://www.itmonline.org/arts/seabuckthorn.htm]); some varieties are also rich in [[vitamin A]], [[vitamin E]], and oils. The berries are an important winter food resource for some [[bird]]s, notably [[Fieldfare]]s.

Leaves are eaten by the [[larva]] of the coastal race of the [[Ash Pug]] [[moth]] and by larvae of other [[Lepidoptera]] including [[Brown-tail]], [[Dun-bar|The Dun-bar]], [[Pavonia pavonia|Emperor Moth]], [[Mottled Umber]] and ''[[Coleophora|Coleophora elaeagnisella]]''.

[[Image:Sea-buckthorn-oliv.jpg|left|thumb|Close-up of fruit]]
''Hippophae salicifolia'' ('''Willow-leaved Sea-buckthorn''') is restricted to the [[Himalaya]], to the south of the Common Sea-buckthorn, growing at high altitudes in dry valleys; it differs from ''H. rhamnoides'' in broader (to 10 mm broad), greener (less silvery) leaves, and yellow berries. ''Hippophae tibetana'' ('''Tibetan Sea-buckthorn''') occurs in the same area, but at even higher altitudes in the alpine zone{{Fact|date=April 2007}}. It is a low shrub not growing taller than 1 m with small leaves 1-3 cm long.

Two further species, ''Hippophae goniocarpa'' and ''Hippophae neurocarpa'', have been described from China, but are not widely accepted as distinct.

==Uses==

===Harvesting and landscaping===
Harvesting is difficult due to the densely thorny nature of the shrubs. A common harvesting technique is to remove an entire branch, though this is destructive to the shrub and reduces future harvests. A branch removed in this way is next frozen, and then the berries can be easily shaken off. The branches are cut, deep frozen to −32°C. They are slightly defrosted on the surface during the removal of the berries from the branches and afterwards cleaned.

The worker then crushes the berries to remove up to 95% of the leaves and other debris. This causes the berries to melt slightly from the surface as the work takes place at ambient temperature (about 20°C). Berries are later stored at -22°C.

The most effective way to harvest the berries and not damage the branches is by using a berry-shaker which was developed in Estonia some time ago. Mechanical harvesting leaves up to 50% in the field and the berries can be harvested only once in two years. They only get about 25% of the yield that could be harvested with this relatively new piece of machinery.

During the Cold War, Russian and East German horticulturists developed new varieties with greater nutritional value, larger berries, different ripening months and a branch form that is easier to harvest. Over the past 20 years, experimental crops have been grown in the [[United States]], one in [[Nevada]] and one in [[Arizona]], and in western provinces of [[Canada]][http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/shelterbelt/shbpub62.htm].

Sea-buckthorn is also a popular [[garden]] and [[landscaping]] shrub, particularly making a good vandal-proof barrier hedge with an aggressive [[basal shoot]] system exploited in some parts of the world to stabilize riverbanks and steep slopes. They have value in northern climates for their landscape qualities, as their colorful berry clusters are retained through winter.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Kam
| first = Barbara
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Nora Bryan
| title = The Prairie Winterscape: Creative Gardening for the Forgotten Season
| publisher = Fifth House Ltd.
| date = 2003
| location =
| pages = 108-110
| url =
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = I-894856-08-2 }}</ref> Branches are used by florists for designing ornaments. The plant is the regional flora of the [[Regions of Finland|Finnish region]] of [[Satakunta]].

===Food and cosmetics===
Sea-buckthorn berries are multipurposed, edible and nutritious, though very acidic and astringent, unpleasant to eat raw, unless 'bletted' ([[frost]]ed to reduce the astringency) and/or mixed as a juice with sweeter substances such as [[apple]] juice or [[grape]] juice. They can also be used to make pies or [[jam]]. The consumer industry uses sea-buckthorn berries for jams, juices, lotions, and liquors.

When the berries are pressed for juice, the resulting sea-buckthorn juice separates into three layers: on top is a thick, orange cream; in the middle, a layer containing sea-buckthorn's characteristic high content of unsaturated fats; and the bottom layer, [[sediment]] and juice[http://www.insad.pl/files/journal_pdf/Suppl_2_2006/Suppl_2_full_26_2006.pdf][http://www.pjbs.org/pjnonline/fin185.pdf]. Containing fat sources used for cosmetic purposes, the upper two layers can be processed for skin creams and [[liniment]]s, whereas the bottom layer can be used for juices, jams and other edible products[http://www.insad.pl/files/journal_pdf/Suppl_2_2006/Suppl_2_full_26_2006.pdf].

Nutrient and [[phytochemical]] constituents of sea-buckthorn berries, particularly oils, have exceptional properties as [[antioxidants]] possibly relevant to inhibiting inflammatory disorders and [[cancer]][http://www.apocp.org/cancer_download/Volume7_No1/Zeb.pdf] .

Recently, sea-buckthorn has been used as an ingredient in several commercially available cosmetic products and [[nutritional supplements]].

For its troops confronting extremely low temperatures (see [[Siachen]]), India's Defence Research Development Organization ([[DRDO]]) has established a factory in [[Leh]] to manufacture a multi-vitamin herbal beverage based on sea-buckthorn{{Fact|date=April 2007}}. The fruit of the plant has a high vitamin C content—300 milligrams per 100 grams in contrast to 50 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams found in orange—besides containing Vitamin A, E and [[flavonoid]]s {{Fact|date=April 2007}}. Apart from being nourishing, the beverage has a freezing point of −22 degrees [[Celsius]] allowing it to remain a liquid even in sub-zero temperatures {{Fact|date=April 2007}}.

===Uses in traditional medicine===
Different parts of sea-buckthorn have been used as traditional therapies for diseases[http://www.ansijournals.com/jbs/2004/687-693.pdf] (see References). As no applications discussed in this section have been verified by Western science and sufficient [[clinical trial]] evidence, such knowledge remains mostly unreferenced outside of Asia and is communicated mainly from person to person.

Grown widely throughout its native China and other mainland regions of Asia, sea-buckthorn is an herbal medicine used over centuries to relieve cough, aid digestion, invigorate blood circulation and alleviate pain. In Mongolia, extracts of sea-buckthorn branches and leaves are used to treat gastrointestinal distress in humans and animals.

Bark and leaves are used for treating [[diarrhea]], [[gastrointestinal]], dermatologic disorders and topical compressions for rheumatoid [[arthritis]]. Flowers may be used as a skin softener.

For its hemostatic and anti-inﬂammatory effects, berry fruits are added to medications for pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiac, blood and metabolic disorders in Indian, Chinese and Tibetan medicines. Sea-buckthorn berry components have potential anticarcinogenic activity [http://www.apocp.org/cancer_download/Volume7_No1/Zeb.pdf][http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=16765054&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum].

Fresh juice, syrup and berry or seed oils are used for colds, [[fever]], exhaustion, as an [[analgesic]] or treatment for stomach [[ulcers]], [[cancer]], and metabolic disorders.

Called 'Chharma' in some native languages, oil from fruits and seeds is used for [[liver]] diseases, inﬂammation, disorders of the gastrointestinal system, including [[peptic ulcers]] and [[gastritis]], [[eczema]], [[canker sores]] and other ulcerative disorders of mucosal tissues, wounds, [[inﬂammation]], burns, [[frostbite]], [[psoriasis]], [[lupus erythematosus]], and chronic [[dermatoses]]. In [[ophthalmology]], berry extracts have been used for [[keratitis]], [[trachoma]], eyelid injuries and [[conjunctivitis]].

== See also==
*[[Sea buckthorn oil]]
*[http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=23765 Unlocking the benefits of sea buckthorn oil]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.icrts.org/index.htm International Center for Research and Training on Seabuckthorn]
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HIRH80 United States Department of Agriculture Seaberry Profile]
*[http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/seabuckthorn.htm Introduction to sea-buckthorn, Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs]
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Hippophae&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Flora Europaea: ''Hippophae'']
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=115515 Flora of Pakistan: ''Hippophae'']
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=3&taxon_id=115515 Flora of China: ''Hippophae'' species list]
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/Hippophae_rhamnoides_nex.html Purdue University list of articles]
*[http://www.hort.net/gallery/view/ela/hiprh/ Series of high quality photos at Hort.net]
*[http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/shelterbelt/shbpub62.htm Sea-buckthorn: A promising multi-purpose crop for Saskatchewan]
*[http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?id=43052 Harvest time influences fatty acids and sterols of sea-buckthorn berries]
*[http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?id=57155 Sea-buckthorn among exotic new flavor opportunities]
*[http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?id=71484 Sea-buckthorn to join heart-healthy juice club?]
*[http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/the-buckthorn-bruise/ An alcoholic drink using seaberries.]

[[Category:Elaeagnaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Armenia]]

Sea-buckthorn - Revision history

Envoy at 15:59, 15 October 2007