Sea buckthorn: The northern citrus powerhouse for health
The fruit, often known as the "lemon of the north," contains significantly more vitamin C than popular citrus fruits. Moreover, it has an advantage over lemons as it does not lose its valuable properties in hot water. At the end of the summer, fresh fruits are available on branches. You can prepare an infusion from frozen, dried, or juiced fruits in winter.
In 100 grams of fresh sea buckthorn berries, there can be up to 2,500 mg of vitamin C. This is 10 times more than in lemons, which contain about 50 mg of vitamin C. But these are not all the benefits of this fruit that naturally grows on coastal dunes. Sea buckthorn also contains carotenoids and flavonoids known for their antioxidant effects, vitamin E, referred to 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 that are often not suitable for other plants. With their distinctive orange fruits, the bushes grow on sandy dunes, cliffs, and seaside hills. Unfortunately, the fruits from these bushes cannot be picked—wild sea buckthorn is protected. However, you can successfully plant this tree in your garden. Evergreen sea buckthorn is excellent as a hedge.
Harvest time for sea buckthorn berries
Sea buckthorn berries are ready for harvest from August to October. You can buy entire branches studded with orange berries at local markets during this time. This method is easier and more economical. You'll need to remove the fruits from the branches yourself. Although sharp thorns can make this challenging, there is a solution. Place the branches of sea buckthorn in the freezer. After chilling, shake the branch, and the fruits will fall off on their own.
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 small glass bottles in stores. There's no need to buy larger bottles because juice squeezed from these fruits is incredibly sour and so rich in vitamin C that few can drink it 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.
- You can add a tablespoon of honey, maple syrup, or fruits like apples or pears for sweetness.
Sea buckthorn infusion pairs well with slices of fresh ginger or rosehip fruits.
Who is sea buckthorn infusion recommended for?
Anyone can try sea buckthorn during times of weakened immunity. The abundance of vitamin C strengthens the immune system, helping to prevent infections. If you frequently experience colds and low energy, sea buckthorn may help you break the cycle.
The very sour fruits also help with skin conditions, offering anti-inflammatory effects, soothing irritations, and speeding up healing. Sea buckthorn oil, which helps with hair restoration, can be found in pharmacies and drugstores.
Contraindications
People who should moderate their intake of sea buckthorn infusions or consult a doctor include allergy sufferers, those with blood clotting issues, and individuals with kidney stones. Sea buckthorn contains oxalates, which may worsen such conditions. Due to the lack of research, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should also exercise caution.
