The sacred fruit of the Himalayas
Sea buckthorn has rightly earned a number of resounding epithets, such as the plant of the future, the lemon tree of the north, liquid gold or the sacred fruit of the Himalayas. In its fruits we find a unique combination of substances and oxidants that will provide our body with very strong help in the fight against many ailments and sufferings.
Sea buckthorn contains vitamins A, a number of B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9), provitamin D, vitamins E, K, P and many other important substances, such as flavonoids, carotenoids, carotenes, folic acid, tannins, mineral salts ( iron, boron, manganese) or organic acids. It is also considered to be one of the largest natural stores of unsaturated fatty acids, because it contains omega acids 3, 6, 9 and the lesser-known but no less essential "seven". And finally we come to why we call sea buckthorn the lemon tree of the north, because it has more than ten times the vitamin C content of citrus fruits. A single ball of sea buckthorn will ensure a sufficient dose of Ceczek for the whole day! In short, these orange berries are almost miraculous, and the sea buckthorn tree obviously knows this very well... and is well equipped against excessive plucking of its fruits.
How about him?
If you've ever gone sea buckthorn picking, you know what we're getting at. The sea buckthorn defends itself and you have to fight with it for the berries, which is definitely worth it (and at least we really appreciate the fruits :)). The bush has thorns, the balls like to crack when plucked, and after collection it is necessary to pick them up and clean them. On the other hand, the sea buckthorn is literally showered with its orange fruits, and a sufficient amount is picked really quickly. So far, the most pleasant (and most elegant) way to obtain sea buckthorn seems to be cutting whole twigs covered with berries, which we shove whole into the freezer. After freezing, the balls can be knocked out of the branches quite simply.
Greeks, cosmonauts and the environment
In Latin, sea buckthorn is called Hippophae rhamnoides, which translates to radiant horse. It was named so by the ancient Greeks, who noticed that horses fed with sea buckthorn leaves had a much shinier coat, looked healthier and were stronger than other horses. So it's no wonder that sea buckthorn is also the food of Pegasus, the mythical winged horse, what do you say?
Sea buckthorn oil has been used as a very powerful natural medicine for thousands of years. In Tibet, China and Mongolia it is considered a healing greeting to the gods. We find mentions of it in Tibetan texts from the 7th century, and Ayurveda has not allowed it since the 6th millennium BC. And if you're interested in something more current, in the 1960s and 1970s Russian cosmonauts used sea buckthorn oil extensively as a radiation shield in space.
And just in case you weren't already convinced of the power of this mighty shrub, you might finally be amazed by the fact that sea buckthorn is also very beneficial for the environment! It fights against soil erosion, keeps the earth intact, significantly contributes to the production of oxygen and plays an important role in our entire ecosystem.
And what does it give our body?
The high and very diverse content of beneficial substances in the body literally predestines sea buckthorn for use in case of insufficient immunity, during colds, flu, or as a prevention against various viruses. But this miracle also fights very well against staphylococci and bacteria of the digestive tract, including salmonellosis. Significantly relieves urinary tract and genital tract infections. Because sea buckthorn is a vitamin bomb, it is more than a suitable dietary supplement for all busy groups of people, such as athletes, children or the elderly. But it is also used as a tonic during strenuous journeys, helping to maintain concentration and alertness. The beneficial effect of sea buckthorn on the digestive system and digestive tract is also indisputable, it can be used as first aid for stomach aches or to stimulate digestion. It improves the secretion of digestive enzymes and has an excellent effect on the liver and pancreas, which it protects. It is also important to emphasize that no side effects have been detected with sea buckthorn, so you can use it for a long time with complete peace of mind. Well, how? Make a great tea from sea buckthorn berries and regularly add the dried fruits to other teas you like.
Sea buckthorn honey
Simple sea buckthorn honey also has a beneficial effect, which not only tastes great (for example on pancakes or in chia pudding), but also helps the body stay in good condition. And how about him? Prepare a sealable glass and fill it about two-thirds full with dried sea buckthorn berries, add a whole cinnamon stick and cover with good quality honey. You can further support the effects of honey by adding other herbs or fruits, lavender will help you sleep well, cranberry will relieve bladder infections and ginger or turmeric from colds.
Homemade sea buckthorn oil
Dried sea buckthorn berries are also great for sea buckthorn oil infusion, which will significantly strengthen the immune system. The production is very simple, it is enough to pour about two handfuls of dried sea buckthorn into 100ml of high-quality, cold-pressed oil so that all the sea buckthorn is submerged, cover the mixture, let it rest at room temperature in a dark place for about a month and mix (or shake) it every day. After a month, strain the oil (if you want) and you can start using it. Treat yourself to a teaspoon a day as a preventive measure, and if you don't feel well, take at least three teaspoons a day. If you make more of it, it will definitely come in handy for Christmas too, pour it into a nice mug and suddenly you have an original gift for your loved ones.
Sea buckthorn for skin and hair
We could write about sea buckthorn oil and its effects on the skin for hours! It can do wonders for the skin. It is used in medicinal skin preparations, in formulations to support the healing of burns, ulcers, eczema and other skin diseases, but also in soaps (take a look at the regeneration soap with sea buckthorn oil). Sea buckthorn oil fights against inflammatory processes, so it is a champion in the care of problematic, acne-prone skin or skin with rashes. It relieves irritated or stressed skin, supports skin regeneration and significantly slows down its aging. It contains a high amount of vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from damage and UV radiation. Because of it , sea buckthorn oil is distinctly orange, and its color is its only minus, it is really noticeable on the skin and can stain clothes. The solution, of course, is to apply oil to the skin when you are not going anywhere.
Our hair also loves sea buckthorn. It supports hair growth and reduces hair loss. It gives them shine and vitality, hydrates them, protects hair cells from the action of free radicals and strengthens the entire hair literally from root to tip. In addition, it is very beneficial for the scalp, which it cleans, soothes and removes dandruff. You can massage the oil into your hair and scalp and leave it on for the whole night. Your mane will repay you.
What about you and sea buckthorn? Did he convince you?
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