Sea-buckthorn oil, reviews of which have spread all over the world, is the most wonderful remedy given to man by nature. The healing properties of this composition are wide in their spectrum of action and have helped more than one person. Sea buckthorn oil, as well as its berries and leaves, have a positive effect on health, significantly increasing immunity.
Why did physicians and scientists choose exactly this, not the most conspicuous, culture? To understand this issue, you need to slightly move the clock hands back to the past.
A bit of history
Its name from the Latin - Hippophae - meaning "glossy horse", sea buckthorn acquired from two components: hippos - horse and phase - gloss, gloss. This legend was determined by the existence of one legend, which states that the troops of Alexander the Great during their endless military campaigns could not do without horses. The latter, tired of the difficult and lengthy roads, were sick and left the race. Once the riders noticed that the animals watered with a decoction of the branches, fruits and leaves of sea buckthorn were very quickly restored and came into shape in a matter of time: their hair began to shine, and the wounds healed quickly. This determined the use of sea buckthorn as a medicine to restore strength in the animal. In relation to a person with his diseases, the miraculous properties of the plant were determined much later.
The age of sea buckthorn, according to rough estimates of scientists, has about 24 million years. The center of origin of this culture is East Asia, whose ancient medicine, successfully using thousands of plants, always gave sea buckthorn a place of honor for its priceless qualities. In China, where you can find huge plant specimens reaching a height of 18 meters (approximately from a multi-story building), sea buckthorn seeds are sown from helicopters. This contributes not only to the mass spread of healthy crops, but also to the suspension of soil erosion and the consolidation of river banks.
In Germany, the plant is called the "thorn of sand" or "the thorn of the coast of the seas." We are more familiar with the name "sea buckthorn", coined for a large number of fruits that densely cover the branches of a tree. Under natural conditions, this plant is most often found along the shores of the seas and lakes, as well as in river valleys.
Sea buckthorn as a garden plant
As a culture, sea buckthorn appeared in domestic gardens in the 60s of the century before last and began to be revered for healing oil, as well as tinctures, wines and liquors, which were always present on the royal table and were successfully exported. Due to the unique value of each component, as well as the persistent search for harmless healing properties, sea buckthorn has been officially recognized by scientists as a medicinal plant. Biochemists have proved the presence of a large amount of vitamins in the fruits, leaves and bark of sea buckthorn, which contribute to the treatment of various diseases. This is an excellent tool for healing wounds, treating internal ulcers, scurvy, skin diseases. Sea buckthorn also effectively manifests itself as a firming agent that stimulates physical activity during periods of loss of strength and lack of vitamins.
Sea buckthorn oil, the content of which in the fruit is 5-10%, is characterized by a bright orange color and is unique in its composition. This is ascorbic acid, the percentage of which in sea buckthorn is an order of magnitude higher than in rosehip. Vitamins A, E, C, B1, B2, B6, P, K and B are also present in the healing product - sitosterol (which lowers the level of bad cholesterol in the blood), whose reserves in sea buckthorn are higher than in other cultures. Sea buckthorn oil is also rich in biological substances such as tocopherols, phytosterols, phospholipids, organic acids, as well as palminitic and palmitoleic.
Sea-buckthorn oil in home cooking
Sea buckthorn oil, the price of which is available at any pharmacy and ranges from 50 to 200 rubles, can be prepared independently at home. For this, it is necessary to prepare sea buckthorn berries after the first frosts, waiting for them to acquire a characteristic hardness. It is during this period that the carotene content in the fruits is as high as possible. Next, ripe berries need to be cleaned of garbage, washed and dried in the oven at a temperature of no more than 60 ° C or in a well-ventilated area, and then chopped in a coffee grinder. The resulting mass is determined in a glass container with a lid, rammed and pour refined oil of vegetable origin: olive, sunflower or sesame, pre-heated to 40-50 ° C. A container with a prepared composition, in which the oil should barely cover the fruits of sea buckthorn, needs to be placed in a dark place for about a week, mixing and shaking daily. After 7 days, the settled mass must be squeezed out, filtered, wait for the onset of transparency, and then drained. The result of all these simple manipulations at the output will be a composition containing about 15% sea buckthorn oil, the concentration of which can be increased. For this, the heated oil obtained requires pouring a fresh portion of the fruit. An operation of this nature performed several times will give a high-quality product suitable for treatment.
As a solution of lower concentration, you can use sea buckthorn oil from the cake remaining after the initial processing. To do this, you need to fill it with warmed vegetable oil and perform the above actions in the same order.
The preparation of sea buckthorn oil can be done in another way, which will require about 4 glasses of fresh sea buckthorn berries, previously aged in the freezer for about 4-5 days. Then, gradually thawed, they need to be washed under running water and squeeze the juice, which, after straining, pour into a glass container. The cake remaining after crushing the berries must be dried, the seeds separated from it and crushed in a coffee grinder to a state of flour. Then the resulting product with the remaining husk must be determined in a pan; add vegetable oil and sea buckthorn juice there. Hold the prepared composition in a water bath for about 3 hours, then put in a dark place for 3-4 days. During this time, a layer of oil forms on the surface of the liquid, which is carefully removed and determined in another container. The remaining product must be poured into another pan, left for another 3 days and again collected from the surface of the resulting oil; and so several times, until the oil has the ability to separate from the general fluid. Cooked at home, this is a wonderful tool that is recommended to be stored in a cool place, perfect for external and internal use, as well as for the combined treatment of various diseases.
Signs of quality sea buckthorn oil
Sea-buckthorn oil, reviews of the properties of which are exclusively positive, are presented in the pharmacy by various brands.
Their difference lies in the method of extracting it from the fruit, the place where the plant grows, as well as the percentage of carotenoids - the main active component of the drug. Oil is considered to be a true high-quality product in which:
- the fruits of breeding varieties grown in ecologically clean areas are used;
- the content of carotenoids is 180 mg or more;
- the drug is tested by certification authorities.
What is the treatment with sea buckthorn oil? What are its advantages over similar drugs? Sea-buckthorn oil, reviews of which only confirm its general strengthening effect, with systematic use dramatically improves the condition of the skin, restores the metabolic processes of the body and increases visual acuity. This is due to the content of a significant amount of useful vitamins that enhance immunity. This healing remedy is highly recommended for people with anemia and an exhausted body.
The role of sea buckthorn oil in human health
Also, sea buckthorn oil, whose reviews on healing products is recognized even by official medicine, contributes to:
- Improving blood circulation and cardiac activity. It can be used as an aid in the complex treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis.
- Obstruction of thrombosis.
- Lowering blood cholesterol.
- Increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels. All this is due to the content of vitamin E and folic acid.
- Normalize blood pressure.
- Wound healing and analgesic effect. Especially expressively, its qualities are manifested in difficult to heal wounds, as well as frostbite and pressure sores.
- Successful treatment of skin diseases, namely abscesses, fistulas, boils, acne and trophic ulcers; recommended in the postoperative period, for the fastest tightening of sutures and restoration of the body. Effectively, this tool manifests itself in the complex treatment against psoriasis, pityriasis versicolor, neurodermatitis, pyoderma, eczema, and lupus. To do this, on the lesion site, previously treated with furatsilinom or penicillin, you need to apply a bandage soaked in sea buckthorn oil, which must be changed daily.
- Strengthening male power. Being a natural regulator of the balance of hormones in the body, possessing antioxidant properties and having in its composition the optimal content of B vitamins, sea buckthorn supports youth and health, helps to preserve male strength and increase potency. To obtain a high result, you need to regularly take sea buckthorn oil inside, especially for men who have crossed the threshold of their 40th birthday.
- Prevent the development of obesity due to the content of unsaturated fatty acids and flavonoids that accelerate lipid metabolism.
- Antimicrobial action, manifested in the treatment of colds, in particular sore throats. This requires every half hour to gargle a sore throat with a solution of 1 teaspoon of oil diluted in 0.5 liters of warm water. Also this composition is effective for external compresses. Sea buckthorn oil effectively helps with inhalations, normally consisting of 10 daily procedures lasting 15 minutes.
- The treatment of stomatitis and periodontal disease. It is enough to oil the affected areas with oil or make applications on them.
Sea buckthorn oil treatment for damaged hair
Separately, I want to highlight the role of sea buckthorn oil as an effective tool in combating hair loss, accelerating their growth, restoring structure, as well as removing dandruff. This is an excellent basis for useful masks, which are desirable to be prepared immediately before use, trying to thoroughly mix all the ingredients until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. The resulting product is slightly warmed up (in a water bath), which doubles the effect, and is applied to the scalp for a strictly defined time to avoid negative results. After applying the mask, you need to massage your head a little. After sea buckthorn masks, it is recommended to rinse the hair with decoctions of herbs or acidified water.
For dry hair, a mask based on burdock root is effective, which in the amount of 3 tablespoons should be poured with boiling water and boiled over low heat for a quarter hour. The resulting broth should be cooled, filtered, diluted with 5 tablespoons of sea buckthorn oil and applied to dry hair, then gently rinse with warm water.
Sea buckthorn oil for hair, reviews of the properties of which emphasize its usefulness, is recommended for the preparation of a universal mask for any type of hair. In this case, castor, burdock, eucalyptus and sea buckthorn oil are taken in equal proportions. They need to be heated in a water bath and evenly distributed over the entire length of the hair, after which the head is wrapped in polyethylene and wrapped with a towel. It is advisable to withstand the mask within 2-3 hours, then rinse with warm water or herbal infusion.
Mask of sea buckthorn oil and dimexide
A mask is possible to enhance hair growth, in the composition of which there is dimexide - a drug sold in any pharmacy, and sea buckthorn hair oil, reviews of which encourage it to be used regularly. It must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 8, add 2-3 tablespoons of sea buckthorn oil, applied to the head, carefully rubbing into the roots of the hair. Soak the mask for about 20-30 minutes, then rinse with shampoo and rinse your hair with herbal infusion. A pair of such masks per week for 2 months will radically change the condition of the hair for the better, giving them shine and silkiness.
Separately, I would like to highlight the Siberian sea-buckthorn oil, which has firmly won its niche on the domestic shelves and compares favorably with similar products with its attractive design and useful properties of Altai sea-buckthorn.
The latter, in combination with Moroccan argan oil, forms keratin, which gives hair strength and shine. The oil of cardamom, wild mint and Siberian fir contained in this product helps to normalize the blood circulation of the scalp, as well as improve the penetration of active components to the hair follicles. This sea-buckthorn oil complex is effective in its action, has a positive effect on hair growth, reduces their fat content.
Sea buckthorn oil treats the stomach, runny nose and atherosclerosis
Sea buckthorn oil, whose pharmacy has a wide assortment, is effectively used inside to treat diseases of the duodenum and stomach. Especially the use of this drug, rich in vitamin A, is relevant during periods of seasonal exacerbations, the consequence of which is a forced restriction of food intake, which significantly impoverishes the diet and negatively affects overall health. With three meals a day, it is enough to take it in 30 drops during a meal; if a person eats 5 times a day, then 10-15 drops per reception. Positive results are evident after a month.
Sea buckthorn oil significantly helps with a cold. To do this, they can lubricate the nasal passages, as well as instill 3 times a day, 2-3 drops in each nostril. Also, tampons dipped in sea buckthorn oil treat sinusitis. To do this, they are introduced into the nasal openings, previously cleaned of the internal contents.
With atherosclerosis, as a prophylaxis, sea buckthorn oil is required to be taken a teaspoon 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is a month.
Sea buckthorn oil for erosion
In gynecology, cervical erosion is effectively and painlessly treated with sea buckthorn. Sea buckthorn oil is required to soak abundantly in a swab, which is inserted as deep as possible into the vagina and is well fixed inside. The cervix must first be cleaned of mucus by douching with infusion of chamomile or other special means. The number of treatment procedures varies from 8 to 12, with a daily tampon change. In the process of treatment, you can simultaneously get rid of side effects, namely: streptococci, trichomonads, staphylococci. It is important to remember: if cervical erosion is treated with sea buckthorn oil, then a high positive result with the obvious simplicity of the method is guaranteed!
For nursing mothers, sea buckthorn oil (which is an effective tool in case of erosion) will also be necessary: it heals cracks in the nipples, which cause unbearable pain during breastfeeding. Sea buckthorn oil also makes up for the deficiency of vitamins A and E caused by the lack of milk or its small amount after childbirth.
Compresses and cotton swabs with sea buckthorn oil will effectively help in the treatment of proctological diseases: anus cracks and hemorrhoids. Treatment is carried out in 10-12 doses with a desired repeat after 4-6 weeks.
In cosmetology, sea buckthorn oil also worthily occupies an honorable niche. It is recommended to use it in face creams for dry and aging skin. To do this, on a single serving of cream, which is planned to be applied to the skin, you need to add 2-3 drops of sea buckthorn oil, and then apply the mixture to the face.
Sea buckthorn oil: side effects and contraindications
Side effects with the use of sea buckthorn oil:
- a feeling of bitterness in the oral cavity;
- allergic reaction;
- itching
- swelling and skin rashes;
- burning sensation with external use;
- respiratory failure and excessive salivation during inhalation.
Like any drug, this one has a number of contraindications. Sea buckthorn oil is not recommended for people suffering from inflammatory processes in the liver, gall bladder, stomach and pancreas. There is also an individual intolerance to the drug.