Sea buckthorn: The vitamin powerhouse transforming health
The fruit, sometimes called the "lemon of the north," contains significantly more vitamin C than popular citrus fruits. Moreover, it has an advantage over lemons because it does not lose its valuable properties in hot water. At the end of summer, fresh fruits are sold in branches, while in winter, you can make an infusion using frozen, dried, or juiced versions.
In 3.5 ounces of fresh sea buckthorn berries, there is up to 2,500 mg of vitamin C. This is even 10 times more than in a lemon, which contains about 50 mg of vitamin C. But these are not all the benefits of the fruits that naturally grow on coastal dunes. Sea buckthorn also contains carotenoids and flavonoids with antioxidant effects, vitamin E, known as the "vitamin of youth," B group vitamins, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and iron.
Where does sea buckthorn grow?
Sea buckthorn thrives in areas often overlooked by other plants. The bushes, with their distinctive orange fruits, grow on sandy dunes, cliffs, and seaside hills. Unfortunately, these wild sea buckthorn fruits cannot be picked—they are protected. However, you can successfully plant such a tree in your garden. Evergreen sea buckthorn is excellent for hedges.
Harvest time for sea buckthorn berries
Sea buckthorn berries are ready for harvest from August to October. During this time, you can buy entire branches laden with orange berries at local markets. This method is definitely easier and cheaper. You'll need to remove the fruits from the branches yourself. Although sharp thorns can make this difficult, there is a trick to it. Place the sea buckthorn branches in the freezer. After freezing, shake the branches, and the fruits will fall off by themselves.
Recipe for sea buckthorn infusion
You can prepare a warming drink full of vitamin C using fresh, frozen, or dried fruits. You can also use sea buckthorn juice, which sometimes appears in stores in small glass bottles. There's no need to buy larger bottles because juice squeezed from these fruits is incredibly sour and so concentrated with vitamin C that few can drink it in large quantities without diluting it with water.
Method:
Pour hot water over the sea buckthorn berries.
Crush them using a wooden pestle. Cover with a lid for 5-8 minutes.
To sweeten, you can add a tablespoon of honey, maple syrup, or fruits such as apples or pears.
Sea buckthorn infusion pairs well with slices of fresh ginger or rosehip fruits.
Who is sea buckthorn infusion recommended for?
Anyone experiencing weakened immunity can benefit from sea buckthorn. The abundance of vitamin C strengthens the immune system, helping prevent infections. If you frequently suffer from colds and low energy, sea buckthorn may help break the cycle.
The very sour fruits also aid in treating skin diseases. They have anti-inflammatory effects, soothe irritations, and speed up wound healing. At pharmacies and drugstores, you can purchase sea buckthorn oil, which helps regenerate hair structure.
Contraindications
Individuals who should limit sea buckthorn infusions or consult with a doctor include allergy sufferers, people with blood clotting issues, and those with kidney stones. Sea buckthorn contains oxalates, which can exacerbate these issues. Due to limited research, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should also exercise caution.
