Sea Buckthorn Oil: Potential Side Effects & Considerations

Sea buckthorn oil is a liquid derived from the leaves, flowers and fruits of the Hippophae rhamnoides plant. Despite its use to treat a variety of conditions like arthritis, gastrointestinal ulcers, the common cold and gout, sea buckthorn oil poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Other Names

• Other names for sea buckthorn oil include argasse, chharma, dhar-bu, espino falso, finbar, meerdorn, purging thorn and tindved. All of these alternate names refer to products derived from the Hippophae rhamnoides and produce similar side effects to sea buckthorn oil.

Function

• Sea buckthorn oil contains a variety of vitamins, including A, B1, B2, B6 and C, which help to fight infections and regulate cellular functioning.

Time Frame

• Sea bucktorn oil is safe for use as a supplement for up to 90 days. Its effects for longer periods of time are not known, according to RxList.

Significance

• Sea buckthorn oil is safe when eaten as an ingredient in jams or other foods.

Risks

• Sea buckthorn oil increases blood flow and poses a risk for serious bleeding following an injury or accident. Because of this, you should avoid taking sea buckthorn oil as a supplement if you are scheduled for surgery within two weeks.

Considerations

• Because there is no evidence that sea buckthorn oil does not pose harmful effects to fetal development, avoid using Hippophae rhamnoides if you are pregnant or nursing.