The Incredible & Mystical Legend of Sea Buckthorn

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of holding a handful of sea buckthorn berries, you know that it’s an almost magical experience. With their fiery color, they’re like little jewels in the palm of your hand.

Is it an exaggeration to say that they’re magical? Maybe by today’s practical standards, but sea buckthorn has been known throughout time as everything from miracle berries to holy berries, with a rich and deep mystical story that spans millennia. 

The legend surrounding sea buckthorn is diverse and deeply interesting. The first documented use of sea buckthorn was in ancient Greek texts, dating back to 5000-500 BC. But looking into the folklore surrounding these miracle berries has us thinking that sea buckthorn has had a more enchanting life than any of us could have imagined.

Ancient Greek legend tells the story of how sea buckthorn revitalized racehorses that had been put out to pasture. The remarkable little berries gave the horses new life and gave them coats that glistened. This ties into how sea buckthorn’s latin name, Hippophae, translates to shiny horse.

Pegasus, the magnificent winged horse of Greek mythology, has captivated imaginations for centuries. His name alone conjures up images of soaring through the clouds, freedom unchained. But have you ever wondered what fueled this majestic creature's legendary flight?

When the mighty god Poseidon, ruler of the seas, struck the earth with his trident, a spring of pure water erupted. From this spring, arose the majestic Pegasus, wings unfurled and ready to conquer the skies.

However, Pegasus' journey was far from over. He found himself drawn to the foothills of Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. This is where he encountered the Sea Buckthorn, a shrub growing in abundance on the mountainside.

Sea Buckthorn berries are packed with an extraordinary array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These elements, combined with the plant's unique oils and fatty acids (especially omega 7), create a potent cocktail of energy and vitality direct from Mother Nature.

While the sea buckthorn may not grant us wings, it offers a powerful reminder of the importance of nourishing ourselves with the best that nature has to offer.

Genghis Khan was a Mongolian leader who ruled from 1206 to 1227. He is also known as one of the most influential warriors and conquerors in history. Genghis Khan has a reputation that spans from peacefulness to brutality, but no matter how he is portrayed, it’s worth asking the question of where he sourced his stamina, resiliency, and fierceness to establish what would be the most expansive land empire in all of history.

The answer once again circles back to sea buckthorn and horses. During one of the expeditions, Genghis Khan and his troops suffered a less-than-hospitable climate, which weakened both the soldiers and the horses. There was little to eat, and the speed, agility, and strength of the war horses had suffered.

Deciding to abandon the horses because they were more of a hindrance than an asset, the troops carried on, leaving the horses to their certain death. However, when the troops eventually returned, they saw that the horses did not perish. In fact, the opposite had occurred. The horses were vibrant and thriving.

This naturally sparked some curiosity. What happened to create such a change of direction in the fate of these horses? It was the little berries that had not only sustained but also renewed them.

The troops quickly reported this to their leader, who did not haste in testing out the holy fruit for human strength and energy. Genghis Khan soon began consuming sea buckthorn daily, attributing much of his victories to the fruit’s potency.

It’s rare to hear of Cleopatra without at least some mention of her beauty. The queen was renowned for her beauty, and even today, the image of Cleopatra sitting amidst her collection of beauty elixirs prevails.

There are many tellings of the different ingredients Cleopatra used as part of her beauty routine, from steeping herself in baths of donkey’s milk and applying honey to her skin to using kohl and crushed beetles as cosmetics.

There’s no denying that Cleopatra was a trendsetter and, in today’s terms, would be the ultimate beauty influencer.

A significant component of her beauty routine was using rich oils and luscious fruits that were available at the time. Legend has it that sea buckthorn had a place at the Queen’s vanity and was highly regarded for its almost magical powers for beautifying the skin.

Cleopatra's association with the Sea Buckthorn adds another layer to its already fascinating legacy. Defying nature and maintaining health, youth and beauty through knowledge and the secrets of nature.

Today, the sea buckthorn continues to be revered for its potent benefits. It serves as a reminder that beauty and vitality are not just fleeting moments, but can be cultivated through the choices we make and the gifts that nature offers.

Sea buckthorn has had a place at the table throughout history as a wondrous, magical healing berry and elixir.

There’s no shortage of research telling the proven, scientific benefits of sea buckthorn for health and beauty, but it’s always fun to take a peek beyond that and see how our favorite berry has played a role in the more mystical aspects of humanity’s past.

Sea buckthorn is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that make it something special, even by today’s standards. It’s pure gold delivered by hand from Mother Nature, and we’re sure that thousands of years from now, there will be stories of how sea buckthorn changed lives today.