Seabuckthorn (sea buckthorn) is an ecologically and economically important plant of trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India. Moreover, the plant is drought tolerant and can survive the temperature between minus 40 degree to plus 40 degree centigrade.
Seabuckthorn: The Plant
Seabuckthorn (Hippophae spp. L.) is a small thorny nitrogen fixing deciduous temperate shrub. It belongs to the family Elaeagnaceae and botanists call it Hippophae. The plant is dioecious in nature, i.e., it bears male and female flowers on different plants. Flowering generally occurs in June, and the berries ripen by mid-September.
Seabuckthorn in Historical Literature
The Tibetan medicinal classic rGyud Bzi recorded the medicinal value of the plant as early as the 8th century. In fact, the pharmacopoeias of Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan medicine) list more than a hundred popular Seabuckthorn-based formulations. Tibetan medicine also recognises three major species: Sa-sTar for H. tibetana, Bar-sTar for H. rhamnoides and Nam-sTar for H. salicifolia.
Many historians also credit Seabuckthorn as one of the factors that helped Genghis Khan conquer a large part of the world in the 12th and 13th centuries.
According to the book “Indian Medicinal Plants,” people have traditionally used sea buckthorn concoctions as an astringent, anti-diarrheal, stomachic, antitussive and anti-hemorrhagic. Moreover, these concoctions treat stomach ulcers and, when applied topically, soothe bedsores and skin problems from irradiation.
The book, “The Health Professional’s Guide to Dietary Supplements” explains that the ancient Greeks used the berry to promote skin health, energy and vitality, and for weight stabilization.
Distribution of Seabuckthorn (Sea Buckthorn) in India
Approximately 90% of the world’s Seabuckthorn grows in China, Mongolia, Russia, Northern Europe and Canada, and China is the largest producer. In India, however, Seabuckthorn grows naturally in five Himalayan States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh). The Ladakh region remains the major site for this natural resource. In total, India has about 13,000 hectares under Seabuckthorn, and Ladakh holds over 70% of that area.
Nutritional & Health Benefits
Many people consider Seabuckthorn berries among the most nutritious of all fruits. For instance, the fruit juice is rich in sugar, organic acids, amino acids, essential fatty acids, phytosterol, flavonoids, vitamins and mineral elements.
Besides vitamin C, the juice also contains vitamin A, vitamin E, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6. Its concentration of vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C and E is much higher than in other fruits such as apricot, banana, mango, orange and peach. Therefore, the high quantity of these vitamins indicates a strong antioxidant property.
The plant contains omega 3, omega 5, omega 6, omega 7 and omega 9. In addition, the berries contain serotonin, beta carotene, uric acid, succinic acid and oleanolic acid. As for minerals, the fruit contains 11 micro elements such as zinc, calcium and iron.
People use it to treat common problems like indigestion, throat infection, gynecological problem, ulcer, gastritis, bronchitis, acidity, diarrhea, hypertension, blood disorder, fever, tumor, gallstone, cough, cold, food poisoning etc. Besides, flavonoids in Seabuckthorn may reduce cholesterol levels and improve cardiac function.
Seabuckthorn Products
The Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh, has developed the following products:
Later, in 2015, M/s Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. took Transfer of Technologies (ToT) through a “Non Exclusive” license from DRDO for five of the Seabuckthorn based products namely: Beverages, Seapricot Beverage, herbal Tea, Oil Soft Gel Capsules and Jam.
सीबकथॉर्न (सी-बकथॉर्न) क्या है?
सीबकथॉर्न (हिप्पोफे) ट्रांस-हिमालयी लद्दाख का एक पारिस्थितिक और आर्थिक रूप से महत्वपूर्ण पौधा है। यह एक छोटी, काँटेदार, नाइट्रोजन स्थिरीकरण करने वाली पर्णपाती झाड़ी है, जो एलेग्नेसी (Elaeagnaceae) कुल से संबंधित है। यह सूखा सहने वाला पौधा है और माइनस 40 से प्लस 40 डिग्री सेंटीग्रेड तक के तापमान में जीवित रह सकता है।
भारत में सीबकथॉर्न प्राकृतिक रूप से पाँच हिमालयी राज्यों — जम्मू-कश्मीर, हिमाचल प्रदेश, उत्तराखंड, सिक्किम और अरुणाचल प्रदेश — में उगता है। देश में सीबकथॉर्न के अंतर्गत कुल क्षेत्र (लगभग 13,000 हेक्टेयर) का 70 प्रतिशत से अधिक हिस्सा लद्दाख में है।
इसकी बेरी को सबसे पौष्टिक फलों में गिना जाता है, जिसके रस में विटामिन सी, ए और ई पाए जाते हैं। लद्दाख में इसे ‘ढुरचुक’ और ‘त्सरमांग’ कहा जाता है और देशभर में यह ‘लेह बेरी’ के नाम से लोकप्रिय है। इसका कोई मानक हिंदी नाम प्रचलित नहीं है।
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does sea buckthorn grow in India?
Sea buckthorn grows naturally in the cold, arid Himalayan regions of India, primarily in Ladakh (Indus Valley), Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur), and Uttarakhand. It thrives in cold, high-altitude areas. In total, India has about 13,000 hectares under sea buckthorn, and Ladakh holds over 70% of that area.
What is sea buckthorn called in Hindi or local languages?
Ladakhis call sea buckthorn ‘Dhurchuk’ or ‘Tsermang’, and sellers popularly market it as ‘Leh Berry’ across India. It does not have a widely used standard Hindi name. As a result, sellers mostly use the English name ‘Sea Buckthorn’ commercially.
What are the health benefits of sea buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn is extraordinarily nutrient-dense. Key benefits include a vitamin C content far higher than oranges, rare Omega-7 fatty acids for skin and digestive health, vitamin E and carotenoids for antioxidant protection, and support for immunity, heart health and liver function. In addition, people use it in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern nutraceuticals.
Is sea buckthorn juice available in India?
Yes. Sea buckthorn juice, oil, capsules and jam are available across India. For example, Ladakhi brands and DRDO-backed enterprises produce and sell these products online and in health stores. Popular Indian brands include Ladakh Harvest, LSSM products, and several Ladakhi cooperative-branded products available on Amazon India.
How is sea buckthorn cultivated in India?
DRDO, CSIR-IHBT, and state horticulture departments in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh support sea buckthorn cultivation in India. The plant is nitrogen-fixing, drought-tolerant, and helps prevent soil erosion, so it is valuable for environmental restoration in fragile Himalayan areas. Growers start it from cuttings or seeds, and the plants mature in 3–4 years.