History & Legends

Sea Buckthorn 's history is as colorful as its berries and dates back many years crossing diverse cultures and countries.

There is a legendary story that links Sea Buckthorn with Genghis Khan, the Mongol conqueror, who established one of the largest empires in the 13th century, stretching from China to Eastern Europe. It is said that he relied on three treasures - well-organized armies, strict discipline and Sea Buckthorn. It was the regular consumption of Sea Buckthorn that enabled the army of Genghis Khan to march on with inexhaustible and enormous energy.

Its Latin name 'Hippophae' literally translates into "shiny horse". According to ancient Greek legend, Sea Buckthorn was used as the diet for race/ill horses to give them a shiny coat and superior health. Greek mythology also has it that the Sea Buckthorn leaves were the preferred food of "Pegasus", the flying horse.

Sea Buckthorn has been used for centuries in the traditional medicinal systems of Asia and Europe mainly for its nutritional and medicinal value.

References to medicinal use of Sea Buckthorn were found in Ancient Greek texts and in classic Tibetan medicinal texts, including "the RGyud Bzi" (The Four Books of Pharmacopoeia) dating back to the times of The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The Tibetan medical classic-the rGyud Bzi (The Four Books of Phannacopoeia), completed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), has 36 chapters, which had recorded the prescriptions for curing the diseases of blood circulation systems, skin wound, anti- inflammation and strengthen and coordinate the balance of functions among liver, stomach, spleen, kidney and heart.

In more modern times, seabuckthorn juice was used by Russian cosmonauts in space for over 20 years to enhance their health and resistance to stress and cosmic radiations. In fact seabuckthorn juice was the official drink of the Chinese athletes during Beijing 2008 Olympics.