A small tree or shrub, the height of which rarely exceeds 3 m. It is grown as a fruit tree with valuable fruits - they have a pronounced medicinal effect.

Fruits are mainly used for medicinal purposes. Buckthorn fruits are harvested in late autumn, when they acquire a distinct yellow or reddish hue. Fruits can also be harvested in winter. The fruits are collected without cutting the branches of the tree - this will injure the tree for a long time. Fresh fruits are kept in a dark room for up to 3 days, frozen for up to 6 months.

Buckthorn is a strong source of vitamins, it contains essential amino acids, as well as omega-3,6,9 and rare omega-7.

According to the amount of vitamins in the fruit, buckthorn is the king among all fruit trees. The fruit contains a whole complex of vitamins (C, B1, B2, B6, B9, E, P, PP), organic acids (citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid), carotenoids (carotene 60%, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, physalene), folic acid, tannins , flavonoids, phospholipids, sugar, vegetable fat up to 8%, trace elements (cobalt, nickel, vanadium, manganese, silver, copper, iron, silicon), mineral salts, pectins; fruit seeds also contain vitamins, vegetable fat up to 12.5%, carotene; coumarins, triterpene acids, inositol, vitamin complex, tannins, polyphenols are found in the leaves of the plant; the wood itself contains up to 10% tannin; the bark contains the alkaloid hippopheine and tannins.

Medicinal significance

Buckthorn has many medicinal properties: adaptogenic and good antioxidant properties, as well as bactericidal, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and epithelizing properties. Buckthorn preparations have a beneficial effect on metabolism, digestion, and destroy pain-causing bacteria. SBuckthorn improves the condition of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Helps treat uterine erosion and other gynecological diseases, acts on various eye diseases. Enhances cell regeneration after various types of operations, lowers blood pressure, tones and improves blood circulation, as well as restores the healthy appearance of the skin. Helps the body get rid of toxins, restores strength after long-term illnesses, increases the body's defenses.

Oxycoumarins prevent the formation of blood clots and the coumarins in the juice together with flavonoids have anti-tumor activity.

Buckthorn oil protects biological membranes from the effects of chemical agents, has a pronounced antimicrobial effect, promotes rapid healing of wounds, cuts, erosion and has a stimulating effect on the treatment of trophic ulcers and radiation damage. Helps regenerate skin cells and relieves pain.

This plant has been known in folk medicine for a long time. In ancient times,  buckthorn fruits and bark were used against dysentery. The seeds were used as a mild laxative, the leaves for rheumatism and to treat skin diseases. Fruits are used for hypo- and avitaminosis, as well as in case of general exhaustion of the body. In folk medicine, fruit decoction and oil are used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, mucosal injuries and angina, gum disease, anemia, exhaustion and scurvy, and are also used as pain relievers.

Decoctions of leaves and berries are used to treat gout, seeds - as a laxative. Buckthorn oil effectively helps in the treatment of trophic ulcers, burns, lupus, eczema and bedsores.

In home cosmetology, leaf and fruit decoctions are used orally to strengthen hair roots and improve the condition of the scalp.

Buckthorn oil is taken orally and applied to the nail plates to improve the nail structure. You can also apply compresses (masks) by mashing fruits and leaves into a paste to improve the condition of dry skin.

Not recommended for use

Buckthorn has few side effects, of course, there may be individual intolerance. Buckthorn oil is not recommended for people with severe gastrointestinal disorders, people with increased acidity of gastric juice, pancreatic diseases, acute cholecystitis, gallstones and kidney stones. The use of buckthorn in large doses and uncontrolled is especially dangerous in case of liver diseases - buckthorn worsens the condition.

Cosmetic significance

Buckthorn is probably one of the most popular plants used in a wide variety of cosmetics and beyond. All this thanks to the fact that the plant is completely unique with its corresponding properties. Its seed oil or various berry extracts are most popular in cosmetology. Buckthorn products can differ drastically in terms of their properties, related to the variety of buckthorn used (there are several varieties) and the material used - seeds or berry extract.

Buckthorn products have been used in skin, hair and nail care since ancient times. The buckthorn component has a strong but gentle effect on the skin. Buckthorn nourishes the skin and nails with antioxidants and various essential fatty acids.

Which product to choose - seed oil or berry extract. Opinions differ here, but it is generally accepted - seed oil is more often used orally, berry extracts are more often used for cosmetic purposes.

Buckthorn berries are saturated with antioxidants - vitamins and amino acids, which are valuable for the treatment of various vascular abnormalities (telangiectasia, couperosis), and are also an effective ingredient in cosmetics designed to preserve youth.

The fruit also contains malic acid, acetic acid as astringent components and also valuable phytocompounds such as flavonoids (quercetin). Specialists are convinced that buckthorn mosquito extract is useful in the treatment of acne, but there is no scientific confirmation of such assumptions yet. The rejuvenating and wound-healing effect of berry extract is much more proven. Scientists have shown that buckthorn can be useful in the treatment of non-demodex rosacea.

The buckthorn ingredient is used to treat:

Skin! Both oil and berry extract help prevent wrinkles. It has been scientifically proven that the alpha tocopherol in buckthorn reduces skin dryness, roughness, and also reduces the size of wrinkles. Buckthorn also contains such a rare, essential fatty acid as palmintoleic acid. This acid is an organic part of our skin, which is why the oil of this plant works so effectively on our skin, especially for healing burns and hard-to-heal wounds.

Hair! Hair loss, weak hair, split ends - everything can be helped by products with buckthorn. Buckthorn berry extracts will also help improve scalp microcirculation and prevent dryness and itching.

Nails! Buckthorn oil will help to fix flaking and unhealthy nails. This oil will also help make the nail plate smoother. If you use this plant for hand care, after a month you will notice that the nails have remained much healthier and more durable.

Buckthorn remedies have historically been used for the treatment of various skin diseases caused by allergic reactions. In addition, it is a well-known remedy for burns, including sunburn. Research has confirmed that buckthorn oil and extract are capable of reducing the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. This is due to the fact that aus is able to regulate collagen degradation processes and increase superoxide dismutase - a natural antioxidant that helps restore skin damage. Cosmetics containing buckthorn will also help to prevent inflammatory processes in the skin, irritation, dryness, microcracks, as well as reduce the symptoms of couperosis and rosacea.

Products based on buckthorn are valuable for treating skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis - it quickly soothes the skin, normalizes immune function and acts against inflammation. The same goes for couperose and rosacea! In the case of rosacea, many cosmetic products can worsen the condition, directly due to immune function or a chemical reaction.

By using buckthorn products on a daily basis, they will ensure normal skin hydration and the skin will acquire a healthy appearance. Buckthorn berry extracts are mainly used in anti-aging products and to moisturize the skin. Many specialists recommend using both berry extract and seed oil for skin care - in small doses of one, then the other.

Buckthorn products rarely cause allergies or other side effects, but if you notice them, then do not use them! When using high concentrations of buckthorn oil or extracts, the skin can become stained and get a yellow tint - this is not dangerous, but it can be undesirable!