Sea buckthorn oil

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Sea buckthorn identifies a group of species in the genus Hippophae, the most commonly used of which is Hippophae rhamnoides. Oil can be extracted from either the seed or the pulp of the fruit. Sea buckthorn seed oil and pulp oil differ considerably in fatty acid composition. While linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid are the major fatty acids in the seed oil, sea buckthorn pulp oil contains a up to 50% of palmitoleic acid. Few other vegetable oils contain a similar quantity of this fatty acid. Both the seed and pulp oils are rich in tocopherols, tocotrienols and plant sterols. In addition, the pulp oil contains especially high level of carotenoids.^[1]

Due to sea buckthorn oil's unique botanical and nutritional properties, and there being no reported evidence of Sea Buckthorn Oil causing adverse reactions or negative side effects, it is also used as a natural remedy in treating many diseases of mucous membranes, including Aphthous ulcers, esophagitis, acid reflux, and peptic ulcers, as well as dermatological diseases and skin conditions. It is also used topically to treat radiation skin burns in Russian and Chinese hospitals. Due to its ability to absorb UV rays, astronauts use the oil to counteract the risk of suffering from radiation burns whilst working in outer-space.^[2] Currently, a number of cosmetic companies are adding sea buckthorn oil to their anti-ageing preparations, because of its skin re-juvenating and accelerated healing properties. It is also presently being used topically as a natural curative treatment for acne rosacea, acne and acne scars, and as a stretch marks prevention lotion for the skin.

[edit] References

^ Risto Erkkola, Baoru Yang (May/June 2003). "Sea Buckthorn Oil: Toward Healthy Mucous Membranes". AgroFood Industry hi-tech: 53-57.
^ www.rosacea-remedy.com (January 2007). Sea Buckthorn Treatment Oil.