Is Sea Buckthorn Safe to Ingest? Your Comprehensive Guide to Health and Risks

Historically, sea buckthorn berries have been a staple for culinary and medicinal purposes across Asia and Europe for centuries. As this powerful, nutrient-dense plant gains modern popularity, understanding the safety of ingesting its various forms—from berries to concentrated supplements—is crucial for consumers.

Quick Summary

Sea buckthorn is likely safe when consumed as a food, but its safety as a medicine is less confirmed, with potential risks involving drug interactions, bleeding disorders, and low blood pressure.

Key Points

• Generally Safe as Food: Consuming sea buckthorn fruit in food amounts (jams, juice) is likely safe for most people.

• Cautious with Supplements: Sea buckthorn oil extract supplements are possibly safe for short-term use, but long-term safety requires more research.

• Moderate Drug Interactions: There is a moderate risk of interaction with blood-thinning, high blood pressure, and diabetes medications.

• Precaution for Specific Groups: Pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with bleeding disorders or low blood pressure should use caution or avoid it.

• Rare Side Effects: Possible side effects include mild digestive upset, allergic reactions, and headaches or palpitations in sensitive individuals.

• Pre-Surgery Warning: Discontinue use at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery due to potential bleeding risk.

Understanding the General Safety of Sea Buckthorn Ingestion

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a plant whose leaves, seeds, flowers, and fruit are used for various purposes. The safety of ingesting sea buckthorn depends largely on the form and quantity consumed. For most people, consuming sea buckthorn berries as a food—in jams, juices, and sauces—is considered safe. However, the safety profile shifts when considering concentrated products like supplements and oil extracts, especially when taken for medicinal purposes over longer durations.

Form-Specific Safety Considerations

• Berries and Juice: As a food source, sea buckthorn berries are generally safe. The fruit is used to create tart juices and preserves, which have a long history of traditional consumption. Due to their high vitamin C content, the berries and juice offer nutritional benefits without significant risk for the average person.
• Oil Extract: Sea buckthorn oil, derived from the seeds or berries, is widely available in capsule form. WebMD states that the oil extract is "possibly safe when used for up to 90 days". However, comprehensive safety and dosage studies, especially for long-term use, are limited.
• Leaf and Other Extracts: Less reliable information is available on the safety of leaf or other concentrated extracts. This highlights the importance of sticking to well-researched forms or seeking professional advice.

Potential Risks and Adverse Effects

While generally well-tolerated, sea buckthorn is not without potential risks, especially when taken in concentrated supplemental forms. The side effects reported are generally mild but important to be aware of.

• Digestive Issues: Some individuals, particularly those taking higher doses, have reported gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and diarrhea.
• Bleeding Risk: Sea buckthorn may have blood-thinning properties and slow blood clotting. This is a significant concern for anyone with a bleeding disorder or undergoing surgery.
• Blood Pressure Fluctuations: Some people with pre-existing high blood pressure have experienced headache, dizziness, and palpitations. Since sea buckthorn can lower blood pressure, this can lead to blood pressure becoming too low in susceptible individuals.
• Allergic Reactions: Though rare, sensitivity to the plant can occur, potentially causing skin rashes, itching, or swelling.

Navigating Drug Interactions and Special Populations

Ingesting sea buckthorn, particularly in medicinal amounts, can interfere with certain medications and pose risks for specific groups of people.

Drug Interactions

• Blood-Thinning Medications: Combining sea buckthorn with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, aspirin, or ibuprofen) can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding due to its potential to slow blood clotting.
• High Blood Pressure Medications: As sea buckthorn may lower blood pressure, taking it with antihypertensive drugs could cause blood pressure to drop too low.
• Diabetes Medications: Sea buckthorn may lower blood sugar levels. Individuals taking medications for diabetes should monitor their blood sugar closely to avoid hypoglycemia.

Special Populations

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is insufficient reliable information on the safety of sea buckthorn during pregnancy and breastfeeding. To be safe, it is best to avoid medicinal amounts and stick to typical food amounts.
• Children: While some products claim to be safe for children in small doses, WebMD notes that sea buckthorn is only "possibly safe" for children aged 1–7 for up to 8 weeks. Always consult a pediatrician before giving sea buckthorn supplements to a child.
• Pre-Surgery Patients: Anyone with a scheduled surgery should stop using sea buckthorn at least two weeks prior to the procedure due to its blood-thinning potential.

Forms of Sea Buckthorn and Safety Comparison

Feature	Sea Buckthorn Berries (Whole Fruit)	Sea Buckthorn Oil Extract (Capsules)	Sea Buckthorn Leaf/Other Extracts
Safety Profile	Likely safe for food consumption	Possibly safe for short-term use (up to 90 days)	Insufficient reliable information
Risks	Mild digestive upset in excess	Potential drug interactions, bleeding risk, low blood pressure	Unknown side effects and toxicity
Dosage	No defined medicinal dosage; follows food consumption norms	Not enough scientific evidence for effective dosage	Not enough scientific evidence for effective dosage
Interactions	Minor concern with food amounts	Moderate interaction with blood thinners, antihypertensives, and diabetes medication	Unknown
Precautions	Avoid excessive consumption due to potential laxative effects	Caution for specific health conditions, pregnant/nursing women, and pre-surgery	Best to avoid until further research is available

Maximizing Safety When Ingesting Sea Buckthorn

To ensure a safe experience with sea buckthorn, consider the following best practices:

• Consult a Healthcare Provider: Before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you are on other medications or have underlying health conditions, consult a doctor or a registered dietitian.
• Start with Small Doses: When introducing a new supplement, begin with the lowest possible dose and observe your body's reaction.
• Choose Reputable Products: Opt for supplements that have been independently tested and certified by organizations like NSF or USP. The FDA does not regulate supplements in the same way as prescription drugs.
• Be Aware of Symptoms: Pay close attention to any adverse reactions, such as headaches, dizziness, or digestive upset, and discontinue use if they occur.

Conclusion: A Balanced View on Ingestion Safety

Ingesting sea buckthorn as food is generally regarded as safe and offers notable nutritional benefits. However, the safety of concentrated supplements is less certain and requires a cautious approach, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions or those on specific medications. The limited but existing evidence suggests potential interactions and side effects that warrant professional consultation before use. While sea buckthorn is a promising source of phytonutrients, prioritizing safety through informed consumption is key. Always discuss your supplement plans with a qualified healthcare professional.

Learn more about the risks associated with herbal remedies on this WebMD resource: Sea Buckthorn: Uses and Risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should avoid ingesting sea buckthorn?

Individuals with bleeding disorders, those with consistently low blood pressure, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should exercise caution or avoid sea buckthorn unless a doctor advises otherwise.

Can sea buckthorn be taken with blood pressure medication?

No, it is not recommended to combine sea buckthorn with blood pressure medication without strict medical supervision. Sea buckthorn may lower blood pressure, which could cause your blood pressure to drop too low in combination with antihypertensive drugs.

Is it safe for a pregnant or breastfeeding woman to take sea buckthorn?

Due to insufficient research on its safety during pregnancy and lactation, it is best for pregnant or breastfeeding women to avoid taking sea buckthorn supplements and to only consume it in normal food amounts, if at all.

Can sea buckthorn interact with other supplements?

Yes, sea buckthorn may interact with other herbs and supplements that also have blood-thinning effects (like garlic, ginger, ginkgo) or blood pressure-lowering effects (like andrographis, L-arginine).

What are the common side effects of ingesting sea buckthorn?

The most commonly reported side effects are mild digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea, although these are relatively rare. Some individuals with high blood pressure noted headaches, dizziness, or palpitations.

What is the safest way to consume sea buckthorn?

The safest way is to consume the fruit in traditional food forms, such as jams, pies, or juices, and to avoid excessive amounts. This method has the longest history of safe human use.

Is long-term ingestion of sea buckthorn oil safe?

The safety of ingesting sea buckthorn oil for periods longer than 90 days has not been reliably established. More long-term human studies are needed to determine appropriate dosages and potential risks.