We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we’ll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more about cookies
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
An omega-7-rich berry/oil with emerging RCT evidence for dry eye, mucosal/skin health, and lipids in people with dyslipidemia — but effects are modest, often subgroup-dependent, and trials are small.
What the evidence says
Most Sea Buckthorn studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2001–2026 with a typical study size of 18 participants.
Based on 34 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 19 RCTs · 18 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidenceBy outcome
Randomized trials support dry-eye, mucosal, and (dyslipidemia-only) lipid benefits, and a 15-RCT meta-analysis backs the lipid signal, but effects are modest, often subgroup-specific, and individual trials are small.
23 rigorous studies
20 randomized trials · 1 meta-analyses · 3 systematic reviews
Our evidence rating for Sea Buckthorn is accountable to this entire body of rigorous research indexed in PubMed — not a hand-picked subset.
PubMed · as of Jul 2026
2 trials ongoing or recruiting · 13 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
Registered trials show research momentum for Sea Buckthorn, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Sep 2026
Under EU law (Reg. 1924/2006), EFSA reviews whether a specific health claim for Sea Buckthorn meets the evidence standard. These are independent regulatory decisions on claims — not studies, and never counted toward the evidence score above.
Not authorised by EFSA
“Sea buckthorn oil For skin health / well- being”
“Sea buckthorn berry oil (cold-pressed) Protects the liver”
“Sea buckthorn berry oil (cold-pressed) Strengthens immunity”
“Sea buckthorn berry oil (cold-pressed) Healthy for the heart and blood vessels”
“Sea buckthorn berry oil (cold-pressed) Healthy for the skin and mucous membranes”
“Sea buckthorn berry oil (cold-pressed) Healthy for the stomach. Protects the gut”
“Hippophae rhamnoides- berry-oil-Sea buckthorn berry oil Lowers the ageing process”
“Not authorised” means the specific claim wording did not meet the EU’s evidence standard — often a matter of dossier or phrasing, not proof of no effect. EFSA judges marketing claims and is kept separate from our study-based evidence score.
Source: EU Register of nutrition and health claims (European Commission / EFSA) · register snapshot Feb 2013
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a berry rich in omega-7 (palmitoleic acid), omega-3/6, carotenoids, and flavonoids.
Its best human evidence is for mucosal and surface tissues: randomized trials show oral or topical sea buckthorn oil helps dry eye, and an oral-oil trial improved vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.
A 15-RCT meta-analysis found it improves blood lipids — but only in people who already have abnormal lipids, with no effect on glucose, blood pressure, or BMI. Skin/eczema evidence is weak per Cochrane.
Overall a reasonable mucosal/skin and adjunct-lipid supplement, but effects are modest and often subgroup-specific, so it sits at the emerging end.
Rich in palmitoleic acid and omega-3/6, supporting epithelial/mucosal membrane integrity (eye, skin, mucosa).
High in carotenoids and flavonoids with antioxidant activity.
Modulates blood lipids, most measurably in people with abnormal baseline lipids.
How Sea Buckthorn works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Use caution at high doses — possible platelet effects.
Food amounts considered safe; concentrated oil supplements less studied.
Some evidence of platelet-aggregation effects — mild theoretical additive bleeding risk at high intakes.
Possible mild additive effects; overall the meta-analysis found no blood-pressure change.
Tip: Take with food; reduce dose
Tip: Avoid if allergic
Sea Buckthorn has an evidence score of 4.5/10 — emerging evidence based on 14 indexed studies, including 1 meta-analysis. An omega-7-rich berry/oil with emerging RCT evidence for dry eye, mucosal/skin health, and lipids in people with dyslipidemia — but effects are modest, often subgroup-dependent, and trials are small. Representative study: PMID 36043374.
The commonly studied dose of Sea Buckthorn is ~2-3g sea buckthorn oil daily (or standardized berry/oil products); dry-eye trials used ~2g/day oral oil. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Sea Buckthorn is with meals. Take it with food. An oil — take with food for absorption of its fat-soluble carotenoids and fatty acids.
Sea Buckthorn is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for most healthy adults at recommended doses. Reported side effects are uncommon and include mild GI upset, allergic reaction. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Allergy to sea buckthorn.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Mostly mechanism / observationalA phytosterol-rich cold-pressed oil studied for prostate, hair, and cardiovascular support. The honest verdict: small RCTs show modest BPH, hair, and blood-pressure benefits — but the trials are few and tiny, and it underperforms standard drugs like tamsulosin for BPH.
Aged Garlic Extract
Likely helpsOdorless garlic extract with strong evidence for cardiovascular health, blood pressure, and immune support.
Beetroot
Likely helpsDietary nitrates convert to nitric oxide, enhancing oxygen delivery to muscles — a top-5 evidence-based ergogenic aid.
Olive Leaf Extract
Likely helpsOleuropein-rich extract with blood pressure-lowering effects and narrow-spectrum antimicrobial activity — part of the Mediterranean diet's polyphenol profile.
Explore: Best supplements for Skin, Hair & BeautyBest supplements for Body HealthBest supplements for Vitality & Longevity
Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 35 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research