Usedom's Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is native to Nepal. From there, the plant gradually spread to China, Russia, and Canada. Today, sea buckthorn grows in many countries around the world. China, France, and Germany are now among the largest producers. In Germany, sea buckthorn grows primarily in coastal regions. It is widespread along the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts. These summer-green shrubs grow up to six meters tall and, depending on the variety, bear many small fruits from early August through December. When ripe, these fruits range in color from orange-yellow to orange-red and grow in large numbers on the branches. This low-maintenance shrub is also found in an increasing number of gardens.

The Latin name for sea buckthorn is “Hippophae rhamnoides.” This translates to “shiny horse, buckthorn-like” and refers to the shrub’s historical use as well as its sturdy thorns. As far back as ancient times, sea buckthorn was valued for its beneficial compounds and mixed into horse feed. This addition was intended to give the horses a shiny coat.

Why does sea buckthorn grow so well on Usedom?

The tall, spreading shrubs prefer sunny locations with plenty of space. Sea buckthorn does not grow in the shade; instead, it withers. However, sea buckthorn is otherwise not particularly demanding in terms of its environment. As a so-called pioneer plant, sea buckthorn is highly adaptable and grows even in nutrient-poor soils. This robust plant can even survive periods of drought. That is why it can be found in the mountains on alpine gravel slopes, in the sandy soils of coastal regions, and along coarse-grained riverbanks. The plant does not thrive in compacted or loamy soils. That is why Usedom, with its coastal regions and many sunny days, offers ideal conditions for sea buckthorn to flourish.

Thanks to its ability to grow even in sandy dunes, sea buckthorn has been specifically used on Usedom for coastal protection. This is because very few plants can grow in the fine sand of the dunes. Yet planting the dunes is essential for coastal protection. With its deep roots, the sea buckthorn holds the sand in place and thus helps preserve the landscape.

The berries of this shrub are particularly rich in vitamin C. They actually contain more of this vitamin than lemons, meaning that just twelve of these small berries are enough to meet your daily vitamin C requirement. That’s because 100 grams of sea buckthorn is said to contain about 450 milligrams of vitamin C. In lemons, this content is about 60 milligrams per 100 grams and is therefore lower. In addition, sea buckthorn contains many other valuable nutrients. These include, among others:

• Provitamin A
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin E
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Minerals
• Carotenoids
• Flavonoids

Thanks to their nutritional content, these small berries are considered true superfruits that deliver their benefits whether eaten fresh from the bush or processed. Oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids is extracted from the fruit pulp. Due to its high vitamin B12 content, sea buckthorn is also of interest to vegetarians and vegans, as there are very few foods available to them that contain this vitamin.

Because of its many valuable nutrients, sea buckthorn is often used in cosmetics and medicine. When taken internally, vitamin C and the other nutrients are said to strengthen the immune system and protect against colds. This makes sea buckthorn particularly popular during the cold fall and winter months.

In cosmetic products, such as creams and lotions, sea buckthorn oil is valued for its regenerative, protective, and soothing effects. The oil is extracted from the fruit pulp and is said to protect the skin’s natural barrier, prevent moisture loss, and reduce wrinkles. At the same time, sea buckthorn oil is said to have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, which is why it is often used for dry, stressed skin as well as skin damage and allergies. Furthermore, sea buckthorn is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine and is used in naturopathy as a preventive measure against a wide variety of illnesses.

If you’d like to bring that Usedom vacation feeling home with you, you can buy these products directly on Usedom or order them online. There are many vendors on the island who offer fruity jams made with sea buckthorn, either on its own or combined with other fruits or herbs. A particular specialty in this regard is sea buckthorn mustard or sea buckthorn salt, which adds a special touch to many dishes.

The bright orange sea buckthorn berries remind many people of their vacations on Usedom. So it’s no surprise that sea buckthorn gifts are also popular to order for home delivery during the winter. Gifts made from Usedom’s sea buckthorn include, for example, soap, sea buckthorn liqueur, the valuable oils, and the fruity-tart sea buckthorn juice, which is very healthy.

If you’d rather process sea buckthorn yourself, the best place to buy it—aside from the market or farm stands on Usedom—is frozen in Russian supermarkets. Since the harvest season extends into November and sometimes even December, sea buckthorn can also be a great addition to fall and winter cooking. For example, you can make fresh homemade jam, or simply add the small berries to your morning muesli. Sea buckthorn cookies are also easy to bake at home.

To go with these aromatic Christmas treats, you can make sea buckthorn punch or tea from Usedom’s dried sea buckthorn. This drink warms you from the inside out on cold days and, at the same time, strengthens the immune system thanks to its high vitamin C content. One alternative to using the fresh berries is sea buckthorn syrup. With this, anyone can make their own unique drink and enjoy one of these fruity hot or cold beverages even far from the island.