Hippophae rhamnoides

Hippophae rhamnoides

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., 1753) is a shrub species belonging to the Elaeagnaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Magnoliophyta division,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Order Proteales,
Family Elaeagnaceae,
Genus Hippophae,
H. rhamnoides species.
The terms are synonyms:
– Hippophae rhamnoides var. procera Rehder;
– Rhamnoides hippophii Moench.
Within this species the following subspecies are recognised:
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. carpatica Rousi;
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. caucasica Rousi;
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. fluviatilis Soest;
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. mongolica Rousi;
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. rhamnoides;
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis Rousi;
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. turkestanica Rousi;
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. wolongensis Y.S.Lian, K.Sun & X.L.Chen;
– Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis Rousi.

Etymology –
The term Hippophae comes, according to De Theis, Gentil and others, from the Greek ἵππος hippos horse and from φάο pháo to shine: because this plant was used as fodder for horses (as Pliny mentioned, but with a doubtful formula); for Gledhill and others instead it comes from the Greek ἵππος hippos horse and from φένω phéno to kill: ἵππόφεως hippópheos is the name attributed by Theophrastus to a thorny plant; according to Quattrocchi and Dave’s Garden it comes from an ancient Greek name for a thorny plant, perhaps a euphorbia.
The specific epithet rhamnoides comes from the genus Rhamnus, from the Greek ῥάμνος rhámnos, name attributed to various shrubs by Theophrastus and other Greek authors, and from the Greek εἶδος eídos appearance, semblance; i.e. similar to a Rhamnus.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Hippophae rhamnoides is a spontaneous plant that has a large range in Eurasia and at different altitudes and is native to the cold temperate regions of Europe and Asia.
Its habitat is usually close to the coast, often forming groves on fixed dunes and sea cliffs; it is present on river banks and terraces, dry riverbeds, forest edges, woods on mountain slopes, moraines, meadows at higher altitudes, in an altitude range ranging from 600 to 4,200 meters above sea level.

Description –
Hippophae rhamnoides is a dioecious plant that grows in the form of a small deciduous shrub.
This plant can grow between 2 and 4 m in height.
It has rough, brown or black bark and a thick, grayish-green crown.
The leaves are alternate, narrow and lanceolate, with silvery-green upper faces.
It is dioecious, therefore with male and female flowers growing on different shrubs. The sex of the seedlings can only be determined at the first flowering, which occurs in most cases after three years.
The male inflorescence consists of four to six apetalous flowers, while the female inflorescence normally consists of only one apetalous flower and contains an ovary and an ovule.
Fertilization occurs exclusively via wind pollination, so the male plants must be close to the female plants to allow for fertilization and fruit production.
The fruits are small oval or slightly rounded drupes that grow in compact berries of variable color from pale yellow to dark orange and have dimensions of 4 – 9 mm x 3 – 8 mm.
Individual fruits weigh between 270 and 480 mg and contain high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, flavonoids and health-promoting fatty acids, as well as higher amounts of vitamin B12 than other fruits.

Cultivation –
Hippophae rhamnoides is a shrub that grows as a pioneer species and also colonizes poor soils.
This plant tolerates the wind, the intense cold and also lives in saline soils, near the sea, being a halophyte.
It is used to contrast soil and coast erosion thanks to the root system and grows in sunny environments; it is heliophilous and does not fear drought.
The plants have a highly developed and extensive root system and the roots live in symbiosis with the nitrogen-fixing Frankia bacteria. Roots also transform insoluble organic and mineral substances from the soil into more soluble states.
For cultivation it should be remembered that in nature the H. rhamnoides grows abundantly on a wide range of soils, but does best in soils with a light physical structure, rich in nutrient compounds, and with a nearly neutral pH, 6.5 to 7.5.
Best growth occurs in deep, well-drained, sandy soils with abundant organic matter. Very light and sandy soils have a low water carrying capacity and are also poor in mineral nutrients; therefore without the prior addition of organic matter, they are not suitable. Equally inappropriate are clayey soils, with high density and water retention characteristics.
The H. rhamnoides is considered drought tolerant but is a moisture sensitive plant, especially in spring when the plants flower and young fruits begin to develop.
It is possible to plant these plants in arid or semi-arid areas, if water is provided for the establishment.
The plant can bear fruit at altitudes up to 2000 m above sea level and can withstand temperatures from −43 °C to +40 °C.
The new vegetation needs average daily air temperatures between 5 and 7 °C. It flowers at temperatures between 10 and 15 °C and requires total effective temperatures, from spring to harvest, between 14.5 °C and 17.5 °C, depending on latitude, altitude and species.
Frost hardiness is greatest during deep dormancy in November and December. During this period negative temperatures of -50 °C can be tolerated. In the post-dormant period, however, from January to March, the critical air temperature drops from −30 °C to −35 °C for the male and from −40 °C to −45 °C for the female. The H. rhamnoides can only be grown in well-lit, unshaded areas. From its very early stage of development, it is not tolerant of shade. As far as fertilization is concerned, phosphorus is indispensable for the normal vital process of the nodules present on the roots. The plant requires little nitrogen, thanks to its ability to fix it.
Hippophae rhamnoides needs a period of 4-5 years from the appearance of the first shoots from the seeds to the beginning of the fruits and reaches its peak at the 7-8th year of life of the plant, remaining productive for 30 years with intermittent pruning. Spring is the best time to plant H. rhamnoides. An orchard plantation can produce 10 tons of fruit per hectare. A number of seeds per planting site is recommended with a spacing of 1m within row and 4m between rows, southeast sloping ground is recommended to facilitate maximum exposure to sunlight, and rows should be oriented in a north-south direction to provide maximum light.
The fruit grows very freely along the stems, is ripe by late summer or early autumn, and can remain attached to plants for much of the winter if not eaten by birds. However, it is best used before any heavy frost, as the taste and quality of the frosted berries quickly deteriorates.
As far as pruning is concerned, moderate interventions are recommended which will increase the yield and fruiting of the plants.
Vegetative reproduction of plants occurs rapidly through root suckers.
However, it can also be propagated by seed, with spring sowing in a sunny position in a cold place.
Germination is usually quick and good, although 3 months of cold stratification can improve the germination rate. Alternatively the seed can be sown in an unheated seedbed as soon as it is mature in the autumn.
The young seedlings should then be placed in individual pots when large enough to handle and grown in a greenhouse for their first winter.
The transplant should then be carried out in spring.
It can also be propagated by cuttings.
Cuttings should be taken in late fall or very early spring before shoots appear. They should be kept in sand and peat until mid-spring, cutting them into 7-9 cm long pieces and planted in an area protected from the heat.
Rooting should take place within 2 months and they can be transplanted in the autumn.

Customs and Traditions –
Hippophae rhamnoides is a very versatile plant, known and used since ancient times and of which both the fruits and the leaves can be used.
The fruits are processed and then used in the food industry, in traditional medicine, as part of medicines or in the cosmetic industry. The leaves can be used as feed, especially for ruminants. Due to its tolerance to heavily eroded, nutrient-poor and sometimes salty soils, the plant is also used for land reclamation or as a protective belt.
In general, all parts of the H. rhamnoides contain various phytochemicals and nutrients. In particular, the fruit contains high amounts of vitamin C, higher than the levels found in lemons and oranges. The fruits of H. rhamnoides are processed in the food industry into various products. Usually the berries are first washed and then pressed, obtaining pomace and juice. The pomace of the fruit can be used to obtain oil, natural food coloring (yellow/orange) or jam, while the juice is further processed and packaged as a consumer product. H. rhamnoides oil can be used to make cosmetics, such as hand creams, shampoos, or massage oils. The leaves of the shrub can be air-dried, possibly ground and used for tea.
This plant has been used extensively in traditional medicine, particularly in Russia and Northeast Asia. The leaves are used as a purported herbal medicine for various ailments. The fruits of H. rhamnoides have also been used internally in traditional Austrian medicine as a tea, juice or syrup to treat infections.
Given the resistance of the plant to the cold climates of the northern hemisphere and its presence in regions where other sources of vitamin C were not always certain, in the past its fruits were considered precious and almost miraculous, above all if preserved and consumed in case of insidious pathological manifestations due to a deficiency of micronutrients and vitamins in the winter months.
It is also used for cattle feed. The pomace resulting from the processing of the fruits of H. rhamnoides can be used as animal feed, for example for poultry feed.
From a phytochemical point of view, this plant contains carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and phytosterol; it is the richest source of naturally occurring omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids along with the rarer omega 7 fatty acids. The fruit has a higher vitamin C content than citrus fruits, and a high vitamin E content.
The fruit has a high vitamin C content – about 400 mg per 100 grams, placing the sea buckthorn fruit among the richest plant sources of vitamin C. The fruits also have high concentrations of carotenoids, vitamin E and vitamin K. The main carotenoids are beta-carotene, zeaxanthin and lycopene while alpha-tocopherol is the main compound of vitamin E.
Species belonging to the genus Hippophae accumulate oil both in the soft parts and in the seeds of the fruit. The oil content in the soft parts is 1.5–3.0%, while in the seeds it represents 11% of the fresh weight.
The main sugars found in sea buckthorn fruits are fructose and glucose, with a total sugar content of 2.7–5.3 g/100 ml of juice. The typical acidity of the fruit is due to the high content of malic acid (0.8-3.2 g/100 ml of juice) while the astringency is related to the quinic acid (1.2-2.1 g/ 100 ml of juice). The main sugar alcohol found in fruit is L-quebrachitol (0.15–0.24 g/100 mL of juice).
The most common dietary minerals in sea buckthorn fruits are potassium (300-380 mg/100 g), manganese (0.28-0.32 mg/100 g) and copper (0.1 mg/100 g ).
The fruit is also rich in phytosterols (340–520 mg/kg), β-sitosterol being the main sterol compound as it constitutes 57–83% of total sterols.
Flavonols have been found to be the predominant class of phenolic compounds, with phenolic acids and flavan-3-ols (catechins) being minor components.
In the ecological field it should be emphasized that the H. rhamnoides is particularly resistant to drought and salt and can therefore be used successfully for land reclamation, against further soil erosion, as a protective belt or in agroforestry. These characteristics are mainly due to the deep root system that the plant develops. For example, in eastern China, new agroforestry systems have been developed to reclaim soils with high salinity content, and H. rhamnoides is included in the system as a refuge belt, providing a habitat for various birds and small mammals. However, the inclusion in the habitats must always be supported by a careful ecological-vegetation analysis.
Furthermore, with its thorns, this shrub can be used to form defensive and impenetrable hedges on land plots. It is also a nitrogen-fixing plant, like legumes, it enriches the soil with nitrogen thanks to actinomycete symbiotic bacteria of the genus Frankia, taking it from the air. The berries can be eaten fresh (even if acidic, because they are very rich in vitamin C) by preparing juices, or in combination with honey; they are also used in jams and jellies, liqueurs or to make tea.

Method of Preparation –
Hippophae rhamnoides is a plant with multiple uses and uses.
In the food field, raw or cooked fruits are consumed; they are succulent and aromatic although they are too acidic when raw for most people’s tastes but very popular with children.
The fruit becomes less acidic after a frost or when cooked; they are most commonly used to prepare fruit juices as they are rich in vitamins and have a pleasant aroma. The fruits can also be used in many ways such as lemon juice which is used in salads, smoothies and various cooked dishes.
The fruit is increasingly being used in the preparation of fruit juices, especially when mixed with other fruits, due to its purported health benefits.
The plant is used in the food and cosmetic industry, in traditional medicine, as fodder for animals, in horticulture and for ecological purposes.
Vitamin-rich fruit juice is used cosmetically in face masks, etc.
Various parts of the plant (particularly the fruit and seed) are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations for purposes including as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, emollient, and skin humectant conditioner.
In the medicinal field, it should be remembered that the twigs and leaves contain 4 – 5% of tannin; they are astringent and vermifuge.
The tender branches and leaves contain bioactive substances which are used to produce an oil distinct from that produced by the fruit. Yields of around 3% oil are obtained.
This oil is used as an ointment for the treatment of burns.
A high quality medicinal oil is obtained from the fruit which is used in the treatment of heart ailments, it is also said to be particularly effective when applied to the skin to treat burns, eczema and radiation injuries, and is taken internally in the treatment of stomach ailments and of the intestine.
The fruit is astringent and used as a tonic.
Freshly squeezed juice is used in the treatment of colds, fevers, exhaustion, etc., as it is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bioactive compounds. It is also a good source of essential fatty acids, which is quite unusual for a fruit. It is being studied as a food that can reduce the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of tumors.
The juice is also a component of many vitamin-rich medicines and cosmetic preparations such as face creams and toothpastes.
A decoction of the fruit has been used as a cleanser to treat skin irritations and rashes.
Other uses include agroforestry. The plant is traditionally grown in living pens in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps keep out livestock and other animals; delimit the boundaries of the territory; while providing a range of medicinal and other uses.
Among other uses, it should be remembered that the seeds contain 12 – 13% of a slow drying oil.
A yellow dye is obtained from the fruit.
A yellow dye is obtained from the stems, roots and foliage.
A blackish-brown dye is obtained from young leaves and shoots.
The heartwood is brownish-yellow; the sapwood is yellow. The wood is fine-grained, tough, rather hard, heavy, very durable. It is used for fine carpentry, turning, etc.
The wood is also used as fuel and charcoal.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://observation.org/photos/67802385.jpg

Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.