Hippophae, Sea Buckthorn, Star Bu སྟར་བུ

Star Bu  (Tibetan)
Sha Ji  沙棘 (TCM)
Flora von Deutschland (10), Kohler, 1882

Hippophae rhamnoides
(Photo by AnRo0002) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Hippophae spp.
Three types are used in Tibetan Medicine:

1. H. rhamnoides (Large Star bu)
2. H. salicifolia (Medium Star bu)
3. H. tibetana (Small Star bu)

Parts used:

Fruit

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, moist. Slightly sweet, sour.

Uses:

1. Tonifies Qi, Generates Fluids:
-used for Qi deficiency with damage to fluids; after chronic disease, strong Heat, or Febrile disease.
-Diabetes

2. Benefits the Lungs, Stops Cough, clears Cold Phlegm:
-chronic Cough, Bronchitis, especially for profuse Cold Phlegm
-difficulty Breathing from Cold-Phlegm

3. Warms and Strengthens Stomach and Spleen:
-Indigestion, abdominal pain from Food Stagnation (Chinese Pharmacopeia)
-chronic Diarrhea or Dysentery with food stagnation
-Enteritis, Colic in Tibetan Medicine
-more recently for Gastro-duodenal Ulcers

4. Moves the Blood, clears Stasis (TCM, Tibetan):
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-Bruising, Hematoma, Trauma, Tumors; used for blood stagnation in TCM and Tibetan Medicine
-poor blood circulation causing thickening of the blood

5. Clears Heat:
-Fever (Tibetan Medicine)
-taken to prevent infection during epidemics
-topically for burns including sunburn and radiation burns

Dose:

Decoction: 3–9 grams

Preparation:

1. Steamed Sea Buckthorn:
  The fruit is sometimes steamed before drying.
2. Sea Buckthorn extract (Khanda):
  Boil the fruit, remove the seeds, then concentrate to an extract.
  This cures Lung diseases and clears thick phlegm and resolves Blood stasis. (Tibetan)

Substitutes:

1. In Buryat region, Siberian Barberry (Berberis siberica) fruit is used.
2. Plums have also been recommended as a substitute in the Buryat region.

Main Combinations:

1. Damage to fluids after febrile disease, Sea Buckthorn with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong
2. Cough and Wheezing from excess Cold Phlegm, Sea Buckthorn with Astragalus Huang Qi, Atractylodes Bai Zhu and Pinella Ban Xia
3. Lung heat Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma, Sea Buckthorn with Licorice, Raisin, Emblic Myrobalan and Costus (as in Sea Buckthorn 5 of Tibetan Medicine)
4. Dysenteric disorders, Sea Buckthorn with Pulsatilla Bai Tou Weng
5. Menstrual disorders associated with Blood stagnation, Sea Buckthorn with Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Angelica Dang Gui and Cyperus Xiang Fu
6. Hematoma and Bruising, Sea Buckthorn with Dragons Blood, Frankincense and Myrrh

Major Formulas:

Sea Buckthorn 5 (Star bu lnga pa)
Sea Buckthorn 19 (Star bu bcu dgu)
Auscpicious Conqueror (Bkra shis rnam rgyal) (Tibetan)
Conqueror of Brown Phlegm (Smug po gyul rgyal).
Cowrie Ash 8 (‘Gron thal brgyad pa) (Tibetan)
Death Healing Nectar (Tibetan)
Greater Universal Women’s Disease Conqueror (Mo nad spyi ‘joms chen mo) (Tibetan)
Pacific 11 (Zhi byed bcu gcig) (Tibetan)
Principle 25 (Gtso bo nyer lnga) (Tibetan)
Women’s Universal Decoction (Mo nad spyi thang) (Tibetan)

Cautions:

Not used in internal Cold or Fire from excess

Main Preparations used:

Concentrated Decoction of Sea Buckthorn:
  The fresh fruit are washed, then boiled in water for 1–2 hours. The decoction is poured off and kept, fresh water is added and again boiled 1–2 hours, then strained. The two decoction are combined and left to sit for 12 hours to settle. Decant the liquid and filter the residue, then boil gently down, stirring continually, until it is as thick as honey, and won’t seep through paper. 

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GENERAL / REVIEW: –Hippophae rhamnoides L.: A Comprehensive Review on the Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytonutrients, Health Benefits, Quality Markers, and Applications. –Why is sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) so exceptional? A review. –Extract from Sea Buckthorn Seeds-A Phytochemical, Antioxidant, and Hemostasis Study; Effect of Thermal Processing on Its Chemical Content and Biological Activity In Vitro. –Comparative Assessment of Functional Components and Antioxidant Activities between Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and H. tibetana Berries in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. –Phytochemistry and pharmacology of sea buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides; syn. Hippophae rhamnoides): progress from 2010 to 2021. –Phytochemistry, health benefits, and food applications of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): A comprehensive review. –Bioactive compounds, health benefits and functional food products of sea buckthorn: a review. –[Application and modern research progress of sea buckthorn leaves]. –Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and dermatological effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L.: A review. –Isorhamnetin: A review of pharmacological effects. DRYING: –Drying sea buckthorn berries (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): Effects of different drying methods on drying kinetics, physicochemical properties, and microstructure. –Optimization of the drying process of autumn fruits rich in antioxidants: a study focusing on rosehip (Rosa canina L.) and sea buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson) and their bioactive properties. ANTIBACTERIAL: –Development of fermented sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) juice and investigation of its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. –Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Fruit Juices. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: –Lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of isorhamnetin on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. –Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Three Triterpene from Hippophae rhamnoides L. in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells. –Anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin on LPS-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway. ANTIOXIDANT: –Development of fermented sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) juice and investigation of its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. –Evaluation of Antioxidative and Neuroprotective Activities of Total Flavonoids From Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). –Hippophae rhamnoides L. leaf and twig extracts as rich sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. –Anti-diabetic, anti-cholinesterase, and antioxidant potential, chemical composition and sensory evaluation of novel sea buckthorn-based smoothies. COVID: –Discovery of Anti-Coronavirus Cinnamoyl Triterpenoids Isolated from Hippophae rhamnoides during a Screening of Halophytes from the North Sea and Channel Coasts in Northern France. –Potential antiviral activity of isorhamnetin against SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudotyped virus in vitro. ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME: –Hippophae rhamnoides Prevents Oleic Acid-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by Releasing Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Mitigation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Level. IMMUNOMODULATORY: –Basic characterization, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from sea buckthorn leaves. –Flash Extraction, Characterization, and Immunoenhancement Activity of Polysaccharide from Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. HEART DISEASE: –Preparations from Various Organs of Sea Buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson) as Important Regulators of Hemostasis and Their Role in the Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. –Isorhamnetin: A Novel Natural Product Beneficial for Cardiovascular Disease. ANTIPLATELET / ANTICOAGULANT: –Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Activity of Isorhamnetin and Its Derivatives Isolated from Sea Buckthorn Berries, Measured in Whole Blood. ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE: –Effects of sea buckthorn puree on risk factors of cardiovascular disease in hypercholesterolemia population: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. HEPATOPROTECTIVE: –Protective Effect of Sea Buckthorn (Hipphophae Rhamnoides) Extract on Liver Injury Induced by High-Fat Diet in Mice. –Hippophae rhamnoides reverses decreased CYP2D6 expression in rats with BCG-induced liver injury. –Lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of isorhamnetin on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. –Isolation and characterization of auronlignan derivatives with hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic activities from the fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides L. –Therapeutic Potential of Isorhamnetin following Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity through Targeting NLRP3/NF-κB/Nrf2. –Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Sea Buckthorn Sterol against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Rats. –Hepatoprotective effect of seabuckthorn leaf-extract in lead acetate-intoxicated Wistar rats. –Isorhamnetin: A hepatoprotective flavonoid inhibits apoptosis and autophagy via P38/PPAR-α pathway in mice. HEPATITIS: –The anti‑hepatitis B virus activity of sea buckthorn is attributed to quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin. FATTY LIVER: ‘–Protective effect of flavonoids extract of Hippophae rhamnoides L. on alcoholic fatty liver disease through regulating intestinal flora and inhibiting TAK1/p38MAPK/p65NF-κB pathway. CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING: –Lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of isorhamnetin on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. –Isolation and characterization of auronlignan derivatives with hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic activities from the fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides L. ANTI-FATIGUE: –Antifatigue effect of sea buckthorn seed oil on swimming fatigue in mice. NEUROPROTECTIVE: –Evaluation of Antioxidative and Neuroprotective Activities of Total Flavonoids From Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). –The effects of Hippophae rhamnoides in neuroprotection and behavioral alterations against iron-induced epilepsy.

COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: –Isorhamnetin attenuates high-fat and high-fructose diet induced cognitive impairments and neuroinflammation by mediating MAPK and NFκB signaling pathways. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE / ANTI-CHOLINESTERASE: Anti-diabetic, anti-cholinesterase, and antioxidant potential, chemical composition and sensory evaluation of novel sea buckthorn-based smoothies. SEROTONIN CONTENT: –Seasonal and Geographic Variation in Serotonin Content in Sea Buckthorn. DEPRESSION: –Flavonoids from Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) restore CUMS-induced depressive disorder and regulate the gut microbiota in mice. LOSS OF MEMORY: –Effect of seabuckthorn seed protein and its arginine-enriched peptides on combating memory impairment in mice. OSTEOARTHRITIS: –Polyherbal formulation PL02 alleviates pain, inflammation, and subchondral bone deterioration in an osteoarthritis rodent model. OSTEOPOROSIS: –Anti-osteoporosis effects of triterpenoids from the fruit of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) through the promotion of osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells, C3H10T1/2. –Anti-Osteoporosis Effects of the Fruit of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) through Promotion of Osteogenic Differentiation in Ovariectomized Mice. DERMATITIS: –Total flavonoids of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) improve MC903-induced atopic dermatitis-like lesions. –Ameliorative effects of sea buckthorn oil on DNCB induced atopic dermatitis model mice via regulation the balance of Th1/Th2. PSORIASIS: –Mechanisms and Effects of Isorhamnetin on Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasiform Dermatitis in Mice. OBESITY: –Seabuckthorn Reverses High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity and Enhances Fat Browning via Activation of AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway. –A natural anti-obesity reagent derived from sea buckthorn polysaccharides: Structure characterization and anti-obesity evaluation in vivo. –Seabuckthorn polysaccharide ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity by gut microbiota-SCFAs-liver axis. METABOLIC SYNDROME: –Bioactive Compounds in Sea Buckthorn and their Efficacy in Preventing and Treating Metabolic Syndrome. –Effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on factors related to metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial. –Flavonoids from sea buckthorn: A review on phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics and role in metabolic diseases. DIABETES: –Total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides L. improves type 2 diabetes symptoms in rats through down-regulating of the DAG/PRKCA/MAPK10/p65/TNF-α signalling pathway. –Microwave-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of polysaccharides from Hippophae rhamnoide L.: Modeling, characterization and hypoglycemic activity. –The consumption of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) effectively alleviates type 2 diabetes symptoms in spontaneous diabetic rats. –Anti-Hyperglycemic Effects of Oils and Extracts Derived from Sea Buckthorn – A Comprehensive Analysis Utilizing In Vitro and In Vivo Models. –Anti-diabetic, anti-cholinesterase, and antioxidant potential, chemical composition and sensory evaluation of novel sea buckthorn-based smoothies. –Amelioration of antioxidant potential, toxicity, and antihyperglycemic activity of Hippophae salicifolia D. Don leaf extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY: –Hippophae rhamnoides L. leaf extracts alleviate diabetic nephropathy via attenuation of advanced glycation end product-induced oxidative stress in db/db mice. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: –Polysaccharides from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berries ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in AD mice induced by a combination of d-gal and AlCl3 by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation reaction. GYNECOLOGY: –Sea buckthorn, its bioactive constituents, and mechanism of action: potential application in female reproduction. POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS): –Pharmacological Potential of Hippophae rhamnoides L. Nano-Emulsion for Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Animals’ Model: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. CANCER: –Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) mediated green synthesis of copper nanoparticles and their application in anticancer activity. –The Bioactive Properties of Carotenoids from Lipophilic Sea buckthorn Extract (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in Breast Cancer Cell Lines. –Isorhamnetin Inhibits Human Gallbladder Cancer Cell Proliferation and Metastasis via PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway Inactivation. CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS: –Flavonoids from Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. Revert Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity through Inhibition of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts In Vitro. –Protective Effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L. Phenylpropanoids on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Zebrafish. –Protective Effect of Two Alkaloids from Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts. –Prevention of cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting by seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil: Insights at the level of orexin-A in rats. ANTHELMINTIC: –In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Berry Juice against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Small Ruminants. BURNS / SUNBURN: –The Potential of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products in the Treatment of Burns and Sunburn-A Review. SKIN WHITENING EFFECT: –Understanding the role of extracts from sea buckthorn seed residues in anti-melanogenesis properties on B16F10 melanoma cells.