Common Name: Tibetan Sea Buckthorn

General Information

Hippophae tibetana is an erect, spiny, deciduous shrub usually growing just 10 - 80cm tall. The roots are sometimes rhizomatous[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Himalayas.

Habitat

Open sunny places in montane areas, rarely found below 3,000 metres[]. Rocky and sandy ground, especially in riverbeds; at elevations from 3,000 - 4,700 metres in Nepal[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Hippophae tibetana is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -10°c when fully dormant[].
Succeeds in most soils if they are not too dry[]. Grows well by water[, ]. A fast-growing and very wind-resistant tree, an excellent pioneer species[].
Members of this genus are attracting considerable interest from breeding institutes for their nutrient-rich fruits that can promote the general health of the body (see edible and medicinal uses below)[].
The deeply cleft bark favours the growth of epiphytes[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. The flavour is somewhat lemon-like[]. Used for preserves[, ]. Very rich in vitamin C, but too acid when raw for most peoples tastes. The fruit becomes less acid after a frost or if cooked. The yellowish green, globose to elliptic fruit is around 8 - 11mm x 6 - 9mm[]. This species has the largest fruits of the genus, 100 fruits weighing around 40g[].
The fruits of some species and cultivars (not specified) contain up to 9.2% oil[].

Medicinal

The tender branches and leaves contain bio-active substances which are used to produce an oil that is quite distinct from the oil produced from the fruit. This oil is used as an ointment for treating burns[].

A high-quality medicinal oil is made from the fruit and used in the treatment of cardiac disorders, it is also said to be particularly effective when applied to the skin to heal burns, eczema and radiation injury, and is taken internally in the treatment of stomach and intestinal diseases[].

The fruit is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have a sour taste and a neutralizing and sharpening potency[]. Antitussive, blood purifier and expectorant, it is used in the treatment of disorders of the lungs, inflammation of the pulmonary tract, difficulty in expelling phlegm and coagulation and clotting of the blood[].

The fruit is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals; mark out land boundaries; whilst also providing a range of medicinal and other uses[].

Other Uses

A red cosmetic is obtained from the ripe fruit[].

The wood is used for fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a sunny position in a cold frame[]. Germination is usually quick and good although 3 months cold stratification may improve the germination rate. Alternatively the seed can be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring into their permanent positions. Male seedlings, in spring, have very prominent axillary buds whilst females are clear and smooth at this time[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, early summer/July in a frame[]. Difficult[]. This is the easiest method of vegetative propagation[].
Cuttings of mature wood in autumn[]. Difficult[]. The cuttings should be taken at the end of autumn or very early in the spring before the buds burst. Store them in sand and peat until mid spring, cut into 7 - 9cm lengths and plant them in a plastic tent with bottom heat[]. Rooting should take place within 2 months and they can be put in their permanent positions in the autumn[].
Division of suckers in the winter. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions and usually establish well and quickly[].
Layering in autumn[].