Sea Buckthorn Tea — The First Step in Treating Colds

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Sea buckthorn tea, made from the berries of the sea buckthorn plant, offers a wide range of health benefits thanks to its rich content of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, PP, folic acid, manganese, boron, iron, and other essential micronutrients. It also contains natural sugars, flavonoids, carotenoids, malic and tartaric acids, making it particularly effective for relieving cold symptoms. However, this tea is beneficial in many other cases as well. Read on to discover how both the berries and the leaves of sea buckthorn can support your health.

What Is Sea Buckthorn?

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae) is a medicinal plant from the Elaeagnaceae family, known for its therapeutic properties. While it is often cultivated as an ornamental shrub for erosion control on slopes and sandy areas or as a hedge, it is also a powerful healing plant. Its berries are edible and are commonly used to produce juice, while its seeds are pressed to extract oil.

Sea buckthorn berries can be enjoyed fresh or used to make jams, jellies, fruit soups, teas, and other beverages.

When and How to Harvest Sea Buckthorn Berries

For the best quality, sea buckthorn berries should be harvested before the first frost, even though they typically ripen by mid-September. The berries grow in tight clusters and are firmly attached to the branches, making them somewhat difficult to pick. Here are two effective methods for harvesting:

Using garden shears, cut off berry-laden branches and gently strip the berries into a bowl using a fork. Be careful not to overharvest—cut sparingly to allow the shrub to regenerate branches for the next season’s yield. It’s also important to leave some berries for birds.
Allow the berries to freeze on the shrub. Once frozen, a gentle shake will cause the berries to fall off easily. You can then collect them from the ground.

Health Benefits of Sea Buckthorn Tea from Berries

Sea buckthorn berry tea supports the body in numerous ways:

Helps with low stomach acidity
Relieves constipation
Strengthens the heart and alleviates symptoms of cardiovascular diseases
Serves as a rich source of vitamins—ideal for active individuals, athletes, and seniors who need an energy boost
Aids recovery after chemotherapy, radiation, or antibiotic treatment
Supports diabetes management
Helps prevent heart attacks and strokes
Replenishes the body’s resources after physical or mental stress or illness

The Healing Power of Sea Buckthorn Leaf Tea

Sea buckthorn leaves also contain therapeutic compounds and can be brewed into a beneficial tea. The best time to harvest the leaves is before midsummer (around St. John’s Day).

Benefits of sea buckthorn leaf tea include:

Calming—High in vitamin C and serotonin, it strengthens the nervous system, improves sleep, and reduces muscle spasms.
Anti-cancer properties—helps slow the development of malignant tumors.
Supports the circulatory system—lowers blood pressure, improves blood vessel function, and contains coumarins that help prevent blood clots.
Aids digestion—promotes gut health after antibiotics and eases symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders
Supports skin health—beneficial for various skin conditions
Lowers cholesterol—can assist in weight management and healthy weight loss.
Antiviral properties—effective during colds and viral infections

How to Make Sea Buckthorn Tea from Leaves

Sea buckthorn leaf tea has immune-boosting, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

How to prepare: Add 1 teaspoon of dried sea buckthorn leaves to a cup, pour over hot water, and let steep for 10 minutes. For general wellness, it is recommended to drink 100–200 ml, 2–3 times a day. You can sweeten it with honey to your preferred taste.

How to Make Warming Sea Buckthorn Berry Tea

This simple recipe combines the healing power of sea buckthorn berries and honey into a vitamin-rich tea that requires no special equipment.

To prepare 3 servings of sea buckthorn tea:

Wash 150 grams (about one handful) of sea buckthorn berries (fresh or frozen).
Set aside 100 grams of berries and crush them using a blender, food processor, pestle, or wooden spoon until they release their juices. Then mix in the remaining 50 grams of whole berries.
Pour 500 ml of boiling water over the mixture and let it steep for 10–15 minutes.
Since the tea will be quite tart, add 2 tablespoons of honey (adjust to taste—less for a tangier tea, more if you prefer sweeter beverages).
For extra warmth and aroma, add cinnamon or a cinnamon stick while steeping.

Ginger and Sea Buckthorn Tea for Early Cold Symptoms

Sea buckthorn tea with ginger offers even greater therapeutic benefits than sea buckthorn alone. At the very first signs of a cold, we recommend making this powerful immune-boosting tea:

Add 50 grams of crushed sea buckthorn berries and 1 teaspoon of grated ginger root (or ginger powder) to a cup.
Pour in boiling water and let the mixture steep, then cool slightly for 10–15 minutes.
Once cooled enough, sweeten with honey and enjoy.

Black Tea with Sea Buckthorn

For those who enjoy black tea, sea buckthorn makes a flavorful and healthful twist:

In a teapot or pot, add 150 grams of mashed sea buckthorn berries and 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of black tea leaves (use 2 tablespoons for a pungent brew).
Pour over 500 ml of boiling water and let steep for 10–15 minutes.
Strain the tea into cups, sweeten with honey, and enjoy a warming, antioxidant-rich drink.

Sea Buckthorn Decoction for Bathing and Skin Care

If you suffer from skin conditions, try a decoction made from sea buckthorn leaves and branches as a healing bath additive. Pour the decoction into your bathwater for a soothing, skin-nourishing soak.

Homemade Sea Buckthorn Bath Powder

For a longer-lasting bath remedy, you can make your own sea buckthorn bath powder at home:

You will need:

2 cups of dried sea buckthorn berries
1 cup of rolled oats
20 drops of essential oil (orange, lavender, or your favorite scent)

Grind the dried berries and oats into a fine powder. Add the essential oil drops and mix thoroughly.

Store the powder in an airtight container and use as needed by adding it directly to your bathwater.

When to Avoid Sea Buckthorn Tea

While sea buckthorn tea offers many benefits, it is not recommended in some cases:

If you have high stomach acidity, gastric ulcers, or diarrhea
For individuals with high blood pressure, particularly elderly people
For those with chronic cholecystitis or pancreatic inflammation
During pregnancy, women should consume sea buckthorn tea only for cold treatment and drink it in moderation. Always consult your healthcare provider before use.

In general, sea buckthorn tea is safe for most people if consumption of it is limited. However, drinking too much or a significantly potent brew may lead to sleep disturbances, irregular heartbeat, or increased anxiety. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop drinking the tea immediately. If symptoms persist, contact your healthcare provider.

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