Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae Rhamnoides, Seeds, Hardy, Edible Fruit 50 Seeds With plenty to recommend it, Sea Buckthorn is widely used for healing in Asia and Europe, where it is valued as a potent anti-oxidant, a source for Vitamin C and a healing oil. The attractive small tree or shrub, also called Seaberry, is likely the most widely grown, northern hardy, fruiting plant in the world, but most Americans have never heard of it! In Europe, the sour, flavorful fruit is sweetened and its orange passion fruit like flavor makes fine sauces, jellies and a base for liqueurs. Blended with other fruits, it makes a delicious juice. The plants, native to the Russian Far East, are incredibly productive and a great choice for backyard fruit production! For centuries, the people of Central and Southeastern Asia have used Sea Buckthorn as an agent of traditional medicine to prevent and treat various ailments. Today, the plant is primarily valued for its fruits, which provide vitamin C, vitamin E and other nutrients, antioxidants, oils rich in essential fatty acids and other healthful components. Medicinal uses of Sea Buckthorn are well documented in Asia and Europe. Clinical tests on medicinal uses were first initiated in Russia during the 1950s. The most important pharmacological functions attributed to Sea Buckthorn oil are: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, pain relief and promoting regeneration of tissues. More than ten different drugs have been developed from Sea Buckthorn in Asia and Europe. The ancient Greeks named the genus Hippopha,or "glittering horse," because they believed that horses became plump and healthy when maintained on pastures with these shrubs.