SEA BUCKTHRONE

As a resident of Gilgit Baltistan you all are familiar with a bead shaped orange colored fruits in your garden, probably you call it chanxshey guno. Its scientific name is Hippophae and generally known as Sea Buckthrone.

If we go back to the history and usage of Sea Buckthrone we find its connection with the ancient Greeks. It has been used by them as a fodder of horses they used in the wars and races, remedy for many diseases related to skin; it was a medicine of Eurasian continent and ancient Chinese for skin injuries and sunburn. 

Unaware of its benefits in the field of medicine and food sciences, Most of us try to get rid of it from our gardens as their throne seems difficult to handle while collection hay. The purpose of my writing is to provide an overview of the usage of this shrub as in Gilgit Baltistan we have plenty of Sea Buckthrone shrubs and almost every single person has an encounter with its throne at least once in life time while collecting hay, during shepherding or while walking in the beautiful meadows.  Even I myself was oblivious of its benefits until I read a number of articles on web regarding it. Though we have lots of Sea Buckthrone in our garden I never dared to taste it before reading enough literature that insist me to taste it on  my last year visit to Hunza. It was my first experience and I loved it and regretted for the ignorance.

 Gilgit Baltistan has a variety of undiscovered herbs and shrubs that can be used to improve the economic condition of the region as well as can organize different researches in the field of medicine and horticulture by collaborating with local and federal government as well as by inviting renowned international NGO’s. Beside this the most important thing that can lead our region towards development is choosing food science and horticulture as a field of study for that we should encourage our youth and initiate them towards realization and utilization of different resources we are blessed with in Gilgit Baltistan.

On the global scale Sea Buckthrone is grown in different countries the most common countries where it is found are; Pakistan, china, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, India, Nepal, Mongolia, Norway, Sweden, Russia, France and in Britain. Chinese and Russians use it in different as a food. Beside this it is use to extract juice and oil that are edible and are very healthy for us. It contains the following nutrients and minerals;

1.      Vitamins (A, B2, C,E, B1, P and K)

2.      Omega 7

3.      Seed oil

4.      Magnesium

5.      Phosphorus

6.      Potassium

7.      Iron,

8.      Calcium

9.      Lead

10.  Cadmium

11.  Sugars

12.  Organic Acids

13.  Volatile compounds

14.  Amino Acids

15.  Sodium

16.  Arytenoids

In many countries Sea Buckthrone berries are used in different drinks as a flavor, to make juice that is very good for our skin and a variety of dishes have been created using it some of well known and favorite dishes around the world made with the orange colored berries are mentioned below;

1.       Fizzy Drinks

2.      Soup

3.      Different smoothies

4.      Curd

5.      different drinks

6.      Jam

7.      Pies

8.      Jelly

9.      As a flavor Mousse

10.  As a flour in different kind of cakes

Sea Buckthrone has a number of benefits for our health. Their seed, fruit, leaves and flowers are used to treat different diseases. Since the ancient Greek era it has served as a medicine to treat various diseases. Recent researchers found it useful to fight against the following problems;

1.      Gastrointestinal ulcers.

2.      Antimicrobial,

3.      Anti ulcerogenic

4.       Antioxidant

5.      Anticancer

6.       Radioprotective activity

7.      Platelet aggregation

8.       Liver injury

9.      Cardiovascular risk factors

10.   Effects on skin and mucosa

11.  Gout

12.  Skin rashes caused by infectious diseases such as measles

13.  Improving blood pressure

14.  Lowering cholesterol

15.  Preventing and controlling blood vessel diseases.

16.  Boosting immunity

17.  Improving sight

18.  Slowing the aging process

19.  Treating asthma

20.  Treating heart conditions

21.  Eczema

22.  Dry eye

23.  Protecting mucous membranes

24.  Healing bed sores, burns and cuts

Along with all the above benefits, there are chances of side effects because of limited research on this shrub. It may cause problems by of using its leaves and extracts during pregnancy and breast feeding, so women should avoid its usage to be on safe side during this period. People with bleeding disorder must also  avoid using it as it minimizes blood clots that may result in increasing blood flow so people who scheduled a  surgery must stop its consumption at least two prior to the surgery to avoid high blood flow. It is also forbidden for people with low blood pressure because it reduces blood pressure. We all should consider the above cautions because still there is need of research on these shrubs.

Sources:

http://www.seabuckthorninsider.com

http://www.pjbs.org/pjnonline/fin185.pdf