Sea Buckthorn in Phytotherapy

PREFACE / 9

ARGUMENT / 11

MYTHOLOGY, ART AND SPIRITUALITY / 14
MYTHS AND LEGENDS ABOUT SEA BUCKTHORN / 14
SEA BUCKTHORN IN ART AND SPIRITUALITY / 15

TAXONOMY, MORPHO-ANATOMY AND ECOLOGY / 18
SYSTEMATIC FRAMEWORK / 18
MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY / 21
AREA OF SPREAD / 24
ECOLOGY / 26

PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOGNOSIS AND PHYTOTHERAPY / 29
HARVESTING METHODS / 29

BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS / 32
Qualitative biochemical analyzes / 32
Quantitative biochemical analyzes / 38

PHARMACO-TOXICOLOGICAL ACTIVITY / 48
Experimental drug-toxicology / 48
Antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antitumor action / 48
Hepatoprotective action / 52
Antistress and adaptogenic action / 53
Modulating action in altitude hypoxia / 55
Cardioprotective and antiatherogenic action / 56
Antiviral and antibacterial action / 58
Radiation protection action / 60
Regenerating action on the skin / 63
Detoxifying action / 65

Clinical drug-toxicology / 66
In cardiovascular diseases / 66
In metabolic syndrome / 69
In dermato-venereal diseases / 71
In burns / 73
In gastric and duodenal ulcer / 74
In influenza and respiratory viruses / 75
In liver diseases / 76
In cancers / 76
Side effects and safety / 77
Contraindications / 78
Drug interactions / 79
Interactions with other medicinal plants and food supplements / 80
Food interactions / 81

SEA BUCKTHORN ​​IN TRADITIONAL AND MODERN PHYTOTHERAPY / 82

Practices in traditional oriental medicine / 82
1. Sea buckthorn in traditional Tibetan medicine / 82
2. Sea buckthorn in traditional Chinese medicine / 85

Phytopharmaceutical forms for internal use / 87
1. Fresh or canned fruit / 87
2. Powder / 88
3. Aqueous extractive solutions / 91
4. Hydro-alcoholic extractive solutions / 100
5. Glycerin-hydro-alcoholic extractive solutions / 105
6. Hydro-acetic extractive solutions / 105
7. Tablets / 106
8. Lyophilized powders / 108

Phytopharmaceutical forms for external use / 109
1. Ointment / 109
2. Medicinal oils / 111
3. Poultices / 112
4. Phytocosmetics / 112

Medicinal gastronomy / 115
1. Culinary preparations / 116
2. Drinks / 121
3. Tibetan recipes / 123

CONCLUSIONS / 126

BIBLIOGRAPHY / 128

The use of medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes is thousands of years old and has already proven effectiveness. Modern phytotherapy studies the chemical composition of plants in pharmaceutical laboratories and scientifically argues the traditional uses of some plants. Despite centuries of tradition, phytotherapy has evolved and gained its prestige and effectiveness only recently, becoming closer to the rules of modern medicine.
As a result of the information about the existing therapeutic potential in the world of plants, the research and obtaining of new preparations was developed with the help of plants, in the sense of the systematic selection of ingredients in laboratories.
As a result, at present, the medicinal properties of plants are much better known, the secrets of their active principles being deciphered and, thus, their action being known much more precisely.
In this context, of the scientific documentation and exploration, the present work of Mr. Bogdan Soltuzu is included, the author wishing to share to all those interested the information regarding the phytotherapeutic valences of sea buckthorn.
The paper includes a general description of the species, active principles, distribution, harvest period, method of use, and therapeutic indications.
Widespread in Asia and Europe, sea buckthorn grows spontaneously in our country throughout the sub-Carpathian area, even in the Danube Delta, but is specially cultivated, in certain reservations, for the preparation of natural medicines.
It is a so-called natural polyvitamin, so it has all the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K, F), contains beta-carotene, phytosterols (plant hormones), trace elements (K, Mg, Fe, Mn), lecithins and phospholecithins, acids fat.
Sea buckthorn contains an extremely large amount of vitamin C. From this point of view it is comparable to rosehips and contains a much higher amount of vitamin C than citrus fruits. In addition to vitamin C, it also contains carotenoids, appreciable amounts of B1, B2, P, D, E, folic acid and many other chemicals with a beneficial role on the body.
Mr. Bogdan Soltuzu's book is addressed mainly to the general public interested in the importance of medicinal plants, but also to students, biochemists and researchers in the field, eager to contribute to deepening the scientific approach for a better use of this plant of interest.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Smaranda Vantu
Faculty of Biology
Univ. „Al. I. Cuza ”- Iasi