Introduction
We sell sea buckthorn. We would still rather you did not buy it if it is wrong for you.
Sea buckthorn has been eaten as a food for a very long time, and reported side effects are few. But "few" is not "none," and a handful of people should check with a doctor before starting. If you take blood thinners, manage low blood pressure, or are pregnant, this article is worth five minutes.
This is general information, not medical advice, and it does not replace a conversation with your doctor.
Is Sea Buckthorn Safe?
Consumed as a food, sea buckthorn is generally regarded as safe. The berries are widely used in juices, jams, purées and sauces.
Health authorities note that very few side effects have been reported. Where they have been, the picture is fairly consistent, and it is set out below.
The important distinction is between food amounts and medicinal amounts. A daily glass of diluted pulp sits in the first category. Large, concentrated doses taken as a supplement sit closer to the second, and that is where most of the cautions apply.
Reported Side Effects
Digestive discomfort
The most commonly reported effect. Mild stomach cramps, loose stools, or acidity, usually when someone starts at a high dose or drinks a concentrated pour on an empty stomach.
Sea buckthorn is genuinely acidic. If you are prone to heartburn, take it after food rather than before.
What to do: Start with a smaller serving, dilute it more, and take it with a meal.
Effects reported in people with high blood pressure
In people who had high blood pressure, reports have included swelling, headache, dizziness and heart palpitations.
What to do: If you are being treated for high or low blood pressure, speak to your doctor before adding a daily concentrated supplement.
Allergic reactions
Uncommon, but possible, as with most fruits. Rash or itching, particularly with topical use, has been noted.
What to do: If you have known fruit allergies, start with a very small amount and stop if anything appears.
Who Should Speak to a Doctor Before Taking Sea Buckthorn
If you take blood thinners
Sea buckthorn may slow blood clotting. Taken alongside anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication such as warfarin or aspirin, there is a theoretical increase in bleeding risk.
This is one of the clearer cautions in the literature, and it applies to you if you are on any of those medicines.
If you have a bleeding disorder
For the same reason. Where clotting is already impaired, an ingredient that may slow it further deserves a conversation with your doctor.
If you have surgery scheduled
Because of the clotting question, it is common advice to stop supplements that may affect bleeding well before a planned procedure. Ask your surgeon how far in advance.
If you have low blood pressure
Sea buckthorn may lower blood pressure. If yours already runs low, or you take medication for blood pressure, check first.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
There is not enough reliable safety information about sea buckthorn during pregnancy or breastfeeding. On that basis, health authorities advise avoiding it.
We would rather say that plainly than sell you a bottle. If you are pregnant or nursing, please speak to your doctor before taking any supplement, including ours.
If you have diabetes
Sea buckthorn may affect blood sugar. If you take medication for diabetes, monitor your levels and discuss it with your doctor before starting.
How to Reduce the Chance of Any Problem
- Start small. A smaller serving for the first week tells you how your body responds.
- Dilute it. Concentrated acid on an empty stomach is the most common cause of discomfort.
- Take it with food if you are prone to acidity.
- Do not exceed the serving on the label. More is not better with a concentrate.
- Stop if something appears, and speak to your doctor.
What Sea Buckthorn Is Not
It is a food, not a medicine. It does not treat, cure or prevent any disease, and no supplement should be used in place of medical treatment.
Anyone telling you otherwise is selling you something. Including, we would gently note, a lot of sea buckthorn listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the side effects of sea buckthorn juice?
Reported effects are few. They include mild digestive upset, and in people with high blood pressure, swelling, headache, dizziness and palpitations. Allergic reactions are uncommon.
Who should not take sea buckthorn?
Anyone taking blood thinners, anyone with a bleeding disorder, anyone with surgery scheduled, people with low blood pressure, people on diabetes medication, and anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should speak to a doctor first.
Is sea buckthorn safe to take every day?
For most healthy adults, in food amounts and at the serving on the label, yes. Start small, dilute it, and stop if anything appears.
Can sea buckthorn cause acidity?
It is naturally acidic and can cause discomfort in people prone to heartburn, particularly on an empty stomach. Take it after food.
Can I take sea buckthorn with my medication?
Not without asking your doctor, particularly with blood thinners, blood pressure medication or diabetes medication.
Is sea buckthorn safe during pregnancy?
There is not enough reliable evidence to say. Health authorities advise avoiding it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Conclusion
For most healthy adults, sea buckthorn is a food, it is well tolerated, and the sensible precautions are the obvious ones: start small, dilute it, take it with food.
For a smaller group, the honest answer is to ask a doctor first, and possibly not to take it at all. We would rather you knew that before you ordered.
Unsure Whether Sea Buckthorn Is Right for You?
Speak to our team before you buy.
Or read our full ingredient and sourcing information on the Sea Buckthorn Pulp page.
0 comments