Sometimes you stumble across an ingredient that strikes you as odd, but likely useful when it comes to living well, and I recently discovered "Sea Buckthorn" as one of them. There are some superfoods that could easily stand out above the rest, but don’t get the recognition they deserve. Apparently, the Sea Buckthorn Berry, also known as the Sand Thorn, Sallowthorn or Seaberry, is one of those, as it is rather uncommon in North America. Sea Buckthorn offers a medley of therapeutic and nutritional benefits that come from its berries, roots and leaves. Originating in the Himalayas and used in China for centuries to treat a laundry list of disorders and ailments, this super-fruit is being adopted by both modern practitioners and health-goers alike as an anti-inflammatory, nutrient rich ingredient throughout the world.
Sea Buckthorn is a great source of vitamins, antioxidants, phytonutrients, essential minerals, folic acid, amino acids and carotenoids, and it is a complete source of the good fats we know as omega fatty acids, making it a great anti-inflammatory. The flavor of Sea Buckthorn isn’t considered easily palatable on its own, as it is naturally very acidic, but with the right combination of other ingredients, this bitter super-fruit can be used to create some very exciting, exotic flavors in beverages, dishes and oils.
The nutrient density of these little berries, that resemble something of a small, orange-hued cranberry, has been said to help promote the elimination of skin rashes, lower cholesterol, reverse gout, reduce the condition of fatty liver, treat digestive ulcers, asthmatic symptoms and improve skin and colon health. The variety of nutrients these super berries provide make them a great addition to a healthy lifestyle, and you don’t have to be a top chef to use them. Here are some simple ways to introduce Sea Buckthorn to your own kitchen or home: