Recently, I discovered an ingredient which I think should be a staple in every household as far as skin care is concerned. It's called Sea Buckthorn Oil, and its value is just beginning to be recognized by beauty and skin care manufacturers in the West.
Sea Buckthorn is actually a deciduous shrub which can be found growing in a wide variety of places in northern Europe and Asia. In China, Russia and Europe it is considered to be one of nature's most incredible medicinal plants. Sea Buckthorn is grown and cultivated in Russian Siberia for its healing and health promoting properties.
In some areas this plant is known as the Seaberry, or Alpine Sandthorn. The small, bright orange berries of the plant yield an oil that is unmatched in nature for its content of Vitamin A, Vitamin K and Vitamin E, as well as important fatty acids and an assortment of micronutrients.
The oil is also extremely high in carotenoids, which makes it a very potent antioxidant. The plant actually contains about 108 different compounds, of which 24 are important minerals as far as human health and beauty is concerned.
Sea Buckthorn oil is taken internally as a nutritional supplement and is also used externally for therapeutic or beauty uses. In India it is included in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine and legend has it that Genghis Khan and his armies drank the juice of the berries to increase their immunity and strength.
In some parts of Asia and Europe, Sea Buckthorn oil has been used medicinally for years, with clinical testing and research having been done in China and Russia. Always the results were impressive. Sea Buckthorn's most notable benefits seem to lie in its anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and restorative properties.
It is particularly beneficial for damaged mucous membranes, making it suitable for use in treating mouth and gastrointestinal ulcers and inflammation. Experiments done on patients with radiation burns showed that those who were treated with Sea Buckthorn oil responded faster and more favorably than the ones who were not.
Sea Buckthorn's rich and highly therapeutic oil lends it soothing and anti-inflammatory properties when incorporated into skin care products, and it has been used to treat burns, Rosacea, dermatitis, and eczema along with many other skin conditions. Currently, there are approximately 200 products worldwide which contain Sea Buckthorn oil for either medicinal or nutritional use.
Because of the soothing and restorative effects of this highly valued oil, you can see why it would make a wonderful addition to shaving creams or after-shave lotions, hair products, skin masks, moisturizers, and other products used on the face when there is any source of irritation or inflammation. Sea Buckthorn's rich supply of palmitoleic acid helps support cell tissue and wound healing and contribute to an anti-aging effect.
As you can see, the astounding benefits of Sea Buckthorn oil make this a very valuable item to have on hand whether you want to use it for health, beauty or simply soothing irritated skin. I am always on the lookout now for all natural products that contain this wonderful substance. I only wish I had known about it sooner!
There is more information to be obtained about this wonderful oil. I suggest taking a look at the following three internet sources to learn more information about the benefits of Sea Buckthorn oil: www.kaboodle.com/rawfood; http://rawfoodists.blogspot.com/; and www.simplyrawbliss.com/
James Beller is a blogger, online publisher and natural and raw food enthusiast. He writes articles for various websites and blogs which promote theraw food diet and natural health such as http://www.beautifulonraw.com.
Tags: skin care, beauty, natural skin care, antioxidant, sea buckthorn oil, soothing skin, carotenoids