Dr. Oz finally catches up with HSI's reporting on the amazing sea buckthorn

Dr. Oz finally catches up

Dr. Oz called it the “new miracle berry” on one of his recent programs.

Well, he’s got the “miracle” part right.

The berry is sea buckthorn — a superfood that really does deserve the “super” designation.

But “new”? I don’t think so, Dr. Oz!

We first told HSI members about sea buckthorn more than five years ago. But if the great Oz is hopping on the bandwagon, this is a good time to remind you of some of the amazing health benefits that come with a daily dose of extracts from this remarkable plant.

Nutrient-packed

Where are you going to find a plant whose berries have 10-times more vitamin C than oranges, 3-times more vitamin A than carrots, almost as much vitamin E as wheat germ, and are loaded with a powerful antioxidant enzyme?

You’ll mostly find it the Himalayas of Tibet. Healers in that region have used sea buckthorn for at least 7,000 years. (I told you it wasn’t new!)

When modern scientists first began experiments with sea buckthorn, those researchers were on the other side of the iron curtain — and that’s where sea buckthorn secrets remained for many years. That’s why the plant really is relatively new to Western scientists.

Now that sea buckthorn is getting worldwide recognition, scientists are amazed at the staggering number of nutrients packed into every sea buckthorn berry: vitamins D and K, B vitamins, carotenoids, tocopherols, folate, minerals, flavonoids, phenols, and amino acids. In addition, this is the only plant known to contain omega-3, 6, 7, and 9.

You probably haven’t heard much about omega-7 because it’s very rare. But researchers believe that it may actually signal your body to stop storing unnecessary fat.

On his program, Dr. Oz showed the results of an experiment where two mice were overfed the same diets. But one of the mice also received sea buckthorn daily. He ended up about one-third the size of his fellow-overeater.

Researchers don’t yet know if sea buckthorn’s omega-7 can produce similar results in humans. But while we wait for further research, there are plenty of additional benefits that are already certain.

Digestion: Relieves constipation by restoring natural mucus that lines the intestines — may also help heal gastric ulcers and treat parasitic infections

Wounds: The essential fatty acids promote skin regeneration that aids in healing of burns and skin grafts

Inflammation reduction: Growth of inflammation-causing bacteria is reduced

Other benefits include liver support, skin moisturizer, pain relief, support of respiratory function, and even the possible control of tumor growth.

Do it yourself

Our 2006 HSI Members Alert article featured an interview with Gladys Brown, a sea buckthorn cultivator who lives in British Columbia. Gladys noted that the extract from the plant can be taken in the forms of oil, gel caps, or juice (which she warns can be very tart).

Or, if you want to do your own processing of sea buckthorn seeds, Gladys offers this instruction: “Grind it in a coffee grinder to release the oil from the whole seeds in the pulp. Then sprinkle it on anything — cereal, vegetables, whatever. I just eat it by the handful. I love it.”

She also points out that most sea buckthorn is organic because chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not required with this plant that’s so hearty it actually thrives when challenged with freezing temperatures.

You can find a wide variety of sea buckthorn products in health food stores and on the Internet.

Sources:
“A hearty, cold-weather shrub just might be the bush that lays the golden fruit” HSI Members Alert, May 2006, hsionline.com
“The Tiny Tibetan Berry That Will Keep You Smiling” Gerald P. Curatola, D.D.S., Dr. Oz blog, doctoroz.com