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Sea buckthorn is a thorny shrub (Hippophae rhamnoides) with small orange berries that are eaten as food and pressed into juice, seed oil and pulp oil. Supplements and skin-care oils are marketed for skin, dry eyes, heart health and menopausal dryness, often on the strength of the omega-7 fat in the fruit. Controlled trials exist, but most are small, results are mixed and several tested healthy people with no measurable change. Here is what the research shows, what the side effects and cautions are and how to read a label.
Peptide Labs does not sell sea buckthorn, and none of the products we carry lists it, so no product is recommended here. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Sea buckthorn berries, seeds and pulp give different products: juice, seed oil and pulp (fruit) oil.
- The oil contains palmitoleic acid, an omega-7 fat, plus gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fat.
- Finnish trials found no effect on colds or cholesterol in healthy adults; dry-eye and vaginal-dryness trials found modest, partly mixed results.
- A 2022 meta-analysis found blood fat changes only in people with abnormal lipids and no effect on blood sugar, blood pressure or BMI.
- Lab studies show anti-platelet activity, so ask a clinician first if you take blood thinners or face surgery.
What is sea buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn is a tree or shrub that produces clusters of small, orange berries. Some botanists now place it in the genus Elaeagnus, so you may also see the name Elaeagnus rhamnoides. Despite the shared common name, it is not related to the buckthorn trees whose bark is used as a laxative; our cascara sagrada guide covers that very different product.
A 2022 review describes the plant as a rich source of vitamins, phenolic compounds, fatty acids and minerals, and a Finnish trial found that eating the berries raised blood levels of the flavonols quercetin and isorhamnetin. Which compounds you get depends on the part used, so it helps to know the main forms:
- Berries, puree and juice: fruit products that supply flavonols and other plant compounds.
- Pulp or fruit oil: pressed from the soft fruit and peel and the main source of palmitoleic acid, the omega-7 fat used in marketing.
- Seed oil: pressed from the seeds and rich in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid, the essential omega-6 and omega-3 fats, with almost no omega-7.
- Capsules and extracts: oils or dried fruit extracts in softgels or capsules.
- Skin-care oils: sea buckthorn oil is widely used in cosmetics for dry skin.
Sea buckthorn oil and omega-7
Sea buckthorn oil stands out for palmitoleic acid, sometimes sold as omega-7, alongside gamma-linolenic acid. Unlike the long-chain fats covered in our omega-3 guide, omega-7 is not an essential fat that you must get from food, and there is no recommended intake for it. Our evening primrose oil guide covers another oil sold for its gamma-linolenic acid, and our krill oil vs fish oil comparison explains how marine oils differ.
Sea buckthorn benefits: what the research shows
Much of the human research comes from one research group at the University of Turku in Finland, which tested berries and oil in healthy adults and in people with specific symptoms; the lead author of the 2014 trial was listed at Aromtech Ltd, a Finnish company. The table summarizes the main trials and reviews. These are research summaries, not evidence that sea buckthorn will help any individual.
| Study | Who took part | What it found |
|---|---|---|
| Larmo et al., 2008 | 254 healthy adults, berries vs placebo | No difference in colds or digestive infections; small drop in CRP, a marker of inflammation |
| Larmo et al., 2009 | 229 healthy adults, 3 months of berries | Blood flavonols rose; no change in cholesterol or triglycerides |
| Larmo et al., 2010 | 100 adults with dry eye, 86 completed, 3 months of oral oil | Smaller rise in tear saltiness than placebo; mixed results for redness and burning |
| Larmo et al., 2014 | 116 postmenopausal women with vaginal dryness, 98 completed | Better vaginal lining scores in the full analysis; only a trend among those who took it regularly |
| Geng et al., 2022 | Meta-analysis of 15 trials | Blood fat changes only in people with abnormal lipids; no effect on blood sugar, blood pressure or BMI |
| Morone et al., 2026 | 90 adults with constipation, 28 days of fruit extract | More weekly bowel movements than placebo; the sponsor supplied the product |
Reading the evidence fairly
The pattern is modest. In healthy people eating a normal diet, sea buckthorn berries raised blood flavonol levels but did not change cholesterol or the number of colds. Positive findings for dry eye and vaginal dryness came from single trials of about 100 people, and both papers reported that some results were significant in one analysis and only a trend in another. The 2022 meta-analysis pooled 15 trials but found very high variation between them.
For skin, the evidence is thinner than the marketing. A 2012 Cochrane review of supplements for eczema included one trial of sea buckthorn seed and pulp oil and concluded there is no convincing evidence that dietary supplements help eczema. A sugary-meal study in 18 men found sea buckthorn puree did not change blood glucose, although it lowered the early insulin rise. The new constipation trial was sponsored by the product maker and needs repeating; our fiber for constipation guide covers options with a longer record. Ongoing dry eyes, vaginal dryness, skin flares or changes in bowel habits deserve a clinician’s assessment.
Sea buckthorn side effects and safety
In the trials above, sea buckthorn berries and oil were generally well tolerated, and the 2026 constipation trial reported no adverse events. A 2024 review of adverse-event reports for fruits used in Chinese food therapy listed sea buckthorn fruit among 12 fruits with reports; across those fruits, most events were digestive symptoms, followed by allergic reactions. The main cautions:
- Blood thinners and surgery: seed extracts reduced platelet activity in lab tests on human blood, and a 2022 review describes several sea buckthorn preparations as affecting clotting. Human bleeding data are lacking, but talk with your clinician first if you take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines, and tell your surgical team about any supplement.
- Diabetes medicines: one small study found a lower insulin response after a sugary meal. Pooled trials showed no effect on blood sugar, but check with your clinician if you use glucose-lowering medicines.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: we found no trials that tested sea buckthorn supplements in pregnant or breastfeeding people, so concentrated oils and extracts should be avoided unless your clinician agrees.
- Hormone-sensitive conditions: the vaginal-dryness trial measured blood fats, liver enzymes and CRP rather than hormone levels. If you have a hormone-sensitive cancer, ask your oncology team before using any product marketed for menopause.
- Allergy: stop the product and seek care if you develop hives, swelling or trouble breathing. Patch-test skin oils on a small area first.
Our nattokinase guide discusses another supplement with clotting cautions, and our sibling guide to shatavari covers an herb marketed for menopause with its own hormone questions.
How to read a sea buckthorn label
- Check the plant name: Hippophae rhamnoides, sometimes listed as Elaeagnus rhamnoides.
- Find out which part is used. Pulp or fruit oil, seed oil, berry powder and leaf products are not interchangeable, and the trials each used one specific form.
- If omega-7 is the selling point, look for a stated palmitoleic acid content rather than a vague “rich in omega-7” claim.
- Look for an independent quality seal; our guide to third-party tested supplements explains what seals verify.
- Read front-label claims about skin, eyes or hormones as marketing. The FDA does not approve supplements or their claims before they are sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sea buckthorn good for?
It is a nutritious berry. Small trials suggest modest effects on dry eye and menopausal vaginal dryness, while trials in healthy adults found no change in cholesterol or colds.
What is the difference between sea buckthorn seed oil and pulp oil?
Pulp or fruit oil comes from the soft fruit and is the main source of omega-7. Seed oil comes from the seeds, is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fats and has almost no omega-7.
Does sea buckthorn lower cholesterol?
A 2022 meta-analysis found blood fat changes only in people who already had abnormal lipids, with high variation between trials. A trial in healthy adults found no change.
What are sea buckthorn side effects?
Trials reported it was generally well tolerated. Reported problems with the fruit include digestive upset and allergic reactions, and lab data suggest it may affect platelets.
Can I take sea buckthorn with blood thinners?
Ask your clinician first. Lab studies show anti-platelet activity, although human bleeding data are lacking.
Is sea buckthorn the same as buckthorn bark?
No. Buckthorn bark laxatives such as cascara come from different trees. Sea buckthorn is a separate plant grown for its berries.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or take medicines. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Omega-3: Benefits, Foods, Side Effects and Heart Research, Evening Primrose Oil: Benefits, Evidence and Side Effects, Foods High in Vitamin C: USDA List of Fruits and Vegetables.