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Seaberry or sea buckthorn is called "Siberian pineapple" in Russia, because of the juice that is produced from the berries. It has been produced for centuries in Europe and Asia as a food and medicine source. The first commercial factory processing seaberry was established in Russia in 1940. Since then China has become a leading producer with over two million acres in production, with about 200 processing factories producing more than 200 products. Canada, Germany, Japan, and several northern European countries are working with seaberries as a potential crop.

Seaberry or Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a hardy, deciduous shrub, native to central Asia. It is similar in appearance to Russian olive or silverleaf buffaloberry. Seaberry grows about 10' to 15' tall, and almost as wide. It produces numerous, thorny branches. The thorns are needle-like, growing to 3/4 inches in length. The leaves are narrow, light grey to green on top and silver-grey below. They grow alternately along the stems. The bark is rough, and brown or silvery in color. The flowers are very small, yellow, and are produced before the leaves appear. Seaberries produces an abundance of yellow-orange to red berries along stems that are at least 2 years old. The fruits are about 0.3 inches long and 0.2 inches in diameter. They remain on the stems the entire winter.

Ancient Greek scholars wrote that the leaves and small branches of seaberry were added to the diet of horses to improve their weight and to make their coats shiny. The Latin name of seaberry was derived from Hippo (horse) and phaos (to shine).

It is currently used as a food source because the berries contain levels of vitamins and nutrients unsurpassed by other species of fruit. Russian cosmonauts took seaberry juice into space and used the cream to protect against cosmic radiation. It is used in medicinal products to heal skin problems and in cosmetics to improve the user's appearance. Research using bark extracts indicate it may inhibit tumor growth.

The plants are widely used as windbreaks, shelter belts, and ground cover to protect soils. Wildlife species throughout the world are dependent on seaberry for food and cover.

The berry helps to reduce the risk of common colds, stress, heart disease, cancer, lower cholesterol, boosts the immune. Nutrient and phytochemical constituents of sea berries have value as antioxidants that may affect inflammatory disorders, cancer or other diseases.

Using Sea Berries. Though sea berries are edible and nutritious, they are very acidic and astringent, unpleasant to eat raw. To eat, mix as a juice with sweeter substances such as apple or grape juice.

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