Sea Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn from Pakistan

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a deciduous thorny shrub native to the temperate and sub-alpine regions of Europe and Asia. Pakistan’s northern highlands, particularly the Gilgit-Baltistan region, host vast natural populations of sea buckthorn growing wild along riverbeds, mountain slopes, and high-altitude valleys between 2,000 and 4,500 metres. The berries ripen from August to October, turning bright orange when mature. They are harvested by local communities and sun-dried for preservation. Sea buckthorn is classified as a “superfruit” due to its extraordinary nutritional density, containing more vitamin C than oranges, more vitamin E than wheat germ, and one of the rare plant sources of omega-7 (palmitoleic acid).

Specifications

• Botanical Name: Hippophae rhamnoides

• Common Names: Sea buckthorn, Himalayan berry, sandthorn

• Local Names: Burshung (Balti), Beru (Chitrali)

• Plant Part: Dried berries (whole fruit)

• Vitamin C: 400-1,500 mg/100g (varies by altitude and ripeness)

• Vitamin E (Tocopherols): 100-160 mg/100g

• Carotenoids: 30-50 mg/100g (beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin)

• Omega-7 (Palmitoleic Acid): 16-22% of berry oil

• Omega-3 (Alpha-Linolenic): 25-35% of seed oil

• Omega-6 (Linoleic): 30-40% of seed oil

• Omega-9 (Oleic): 13-20% of berry oil

• Total Flavonoids: 500-1,200 mg/100g

• Protein: 3-8%

• Moisture: < 12% (dried berries)

• Colour: Orange-red to deep amber (dried)

• Taste: Tart, tangy, slightly astringent

• Source: 100% wild-harvested (not cultivated)

• Altitude: 2,000-4,500 metres

Available Forms

• Whole dried berries (sun-dried, with or without leaves)

• Cleaned dried berries (de-stemmed, sorted, leaf-free)

• Dried berry powder (ground, 80-200 mesh)

• Frozen berries (seasonal, cold chain required)

• Sea buckthorn berry oil (CO₂ or cold-pressed extraction)

• Sea buckthorn seed oil (cold-pressed)

Industrial Uses

• Nutraceutical and dietary supplements: Sea buckthorn is one of the fastest-growing superfruit ingredients in the global supplement market. Berry powder, extracts, and oils are used in capsules, tablets, softgels, tinctures, and functional drink formulations. Key health claims include immune support (vitamin C), skin health (omega-7), antioxidant protection (flavonoids, carotenoids), and cardiovascular support (omega fatty acids)

• Functional food and beverage: Dried berries, juice concentrate, and powder are used in superfood smoothie blends, juice drinks, energy bars, trail mix, tea blends, jam, jelly, sauce, and yoghurt toppings

• Cosmetics and skincare: Sea buckthorn berry oil and seed oil are premium ingredients in anti-ageing serums, moisturizers, facial oils, lip balms, sunscreen, after-sun care, wound healing creams, and hair care products. Omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) is valued for skin regeneration, mucous membrane health, and anti-inflammatory properties

• Pharmaceutical and clinical nutrition: Sea buckthorn extracts are used in registered pharmaceutical products and clinical nutrition formulations for mucosal health, radiation recovery, and dermatological conditions in several countries

• Traditional medicine: Used in traditional Tibetan, Mongolian, and Central Asian medicine for treating stomach ulcers, skin conditions, respiratory infections, and general vitality

• Natural food colouring: Sea buckthorn’s intense orange colour from carotenoids is used as a natural food colourant in beverages, dairy products, and confectionery

• Animal nutrition: Sea buckthorn pomace (extraction residue) and leaf material are used as antioxidant-rich supplements in poultry, equine, and pet nutrition

Quality Assurance

Each lot includes a Certificate of Analysis reporting vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, fatty acid profile, flavonoids, moisture, ash, heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg), pesticide residues (wild-harvested, typically nil), and microbiological parameters (TPC, yeast and mould, E. coli, Salmonella). Pre-shipment samples are provided for buyer’s laboratory analysis. Third-party testing (SGS, Intertek, Eurofins) can be arranged.