| Scientific name: | Hippophae rhamnoides |
| German name: | Sanddorn |
| Other names: | Sandthorn, Sallowthorn, Seaberry |
| Classification: | Rosales |
| Family: | Elaeagnaceae |
| Season: | August to the beginning of October |
The "lemon of the north", that's how the sea buckthorn was called in GDR times. Understandable, because its vitamin C content makes lemons and oranges look old. And it is not only very healthy, but is also used a lot in medicine.
In Germany, the sea buckthorn is mainly found in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg and belongs to the "forgotten" German fruit varieties. However the sea buckthorn is on the advance and is rediscovered particularly by young humans gradually.
Quantity per 100 grams
| Calories | 86 kcal |
| Fat content | 7,1 g |
| Saturated fatty acids | 0,426 g |
| Polyunsaturated fatty acids | 4,374 g |
| Monounsaturated fatty acids | 0,880 g |
| Sodium | 4 mg |
| Potassium | 133 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 3,29 g |
| Roughage | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3,29 g |
| Protein | 1,42 g |
The sea buckthorn is originally native to Nepal and has spread to East and West Asia and Europe as a result of Ice Age shifts. In the meantime it can be found in all German federal states and feels comfortable in calcareous sand and gravel soils in sunny locations. Sea buckthorn can be found both in the plain and up to 1800 metres in the Alps and 5000 metres in Asia.
It is mainly found in light pine forests, on dry river meadows and gravel fields, rocky slopes and gravelly shores of mountain streams. As a pioneer plant, it can also be found on sea coasts, dunes and steppes.
As secondary sites, for example, road embankments and gravel pits are populated by sea buckthorn. It is also used and cultivated as a hedge and ornamental plant.
The sea buckthorn is a true vitamin C bomb. It contains ten times as much vitamin C as the lemon. The proportion of beta-carotene and tannins is also remarkably high. Even Vitamin B12 can be found in the sea buckthorn, a vitamin that occurs almost exclusively in animal food and is created by symbiosis with bacteria on the outer shell of the fruit.
In medicine there are many areas of application for the sea buckthorn. Due to its high vitamin C content, it is used in cases of susceptibility to colds or feverish infections. The containing oil has a positive effect on wound healing and is used, for example, for radiation damage caused by X-rays or sunburn. Therefore, the oil is nowadays also contained in many cosmetic products.
The sea buckthorn is very valuable for the body, but the raw consumption is only for the fewest gourmets a pleasure. Therefore, the processing to liqueur or jam is very popular. Sea buckthorn can also be enjoyed as fruit or herbal tea. The optimal processing is however the use as full fruit juice. All components (flesh, skin, juice and seeds) are gently grinded/pressed and filled. This juice can now be refined with honey, fructose, cane sugar or other fruit juices.
As the sea buckthorn is very wind resistant and salt-tolerant and forms a long-range root system, it is often used to fortify sandy sites such as dunes, rivers and coastal areas. The branches are very dense and thus offer an optimal shelter for birds. The sea buckthorn has many other names in Germany and is called differently according to location. Examples are Fürdorn (Baden), Fasanbeer (Salzburg), Doorn (Juist Island), Durnbusch (Hiddensee), Besingstrauch (Brandenburg) and Audorn (Tyrol).