Sea Buckthorn Harvest along the coast of Scotland !

Walking along the lovely shores of the old mining town of Weymss on the Frith of Forth , we stumbled across SEABUCKTHORNS!
Also known as Hippophae rhamnoides, Sea Berries, Ananas de Sibérie or Sand Thorn.
This was an important medicinal plant used in Ayervedic medicine and traditionally across Siberia, Mongolia, and China.
The name 'Hippophae' means shiny horse, and refers to the good coat developed by horses feeding off the plant!

According to legend,  Sea Buckthorn leaves were the preferred food of the mythical winged horse Pegasus. In the 13th century, Genghis Khan, creddited Sea Buckthorn with giving his armies incredible strength and endurance

It is called the "Holy Fruit" of the  Himalaylas where it grows in the Spiti Valley

And Golly, was I ever greatfull to find it this day, as we had set on on an adventure, without packing a lunch, as well as battling some winter cold symptoms. This magical plant gave us just  the zest n vitality we needed!

and wow ! OMMMMM YuMMMMM
so bursting with tang !

HEALTH BENEFITS

due to its protein building amino acids, vitamins B1, B2, K, C, A, E, and folic acid, over 60 antioxidants, at least 20 minerals, and healthy fatty acids. The fruit is full of carotenoids, xanthophylls, phenolics, and flavanoids, too. Its a power house of nutrients!

• Treats gastrointestinal disorders including ulcers
• Reverses gout
• Eliminates skin rashes
• Cures infections
• Improves sight, lessens eye soreness
• Promotes colon health
• Contributes to proper brain and nervous system functioning
• Reduces inflammatory response in the body
• Improves mental clarity
• Treats asthmatic symptoms
  
• Reduces illness associated with cancer
• Lowers cholesterol
• Boosts lymphatic circulation and immunity
• Reduces hunger (due to Omega 7s)
• Improves the look of skin and hair (also due to Omega 7, 3, 6, and 9s) ....
• Neutralizes free radicals in the body
• Slows the aging process
• Supports internal organs
• Boost health of the mucous membranes lining the digestive and respiratory tracts
• Helps to increase cellular vitality

Thanks to a local Herbal Enthusiuast  Benny, ( who made 15 litres of this juice!)  I was shown how to properly harvest the berries without getting too poked. (theres a reason its called Seabuck THORN.) There are spiny branches that protect the super potent berries, that are ready to burst!

I wished I could have eliminated my fingers and  just put my face under the bush and let the berries fall in my mouth....but it was just too poky!

the berries burst as soon as you touch them , so there is a technique of "milking" where you squeeze the branch with the berries, and you catch the juice with a bucket.

an other option would be to cut the branches, and freeze them, allowing you to then collect the whole berry, skin and seed.

the entire plant is medicinal , but in this winter season, we were just collecting the berries as the leaves had already fallen......

and here you have an  amazzzzzing cold and flu winter tonic , immune boosting , anti oxidant rich beverage !

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if you have no access to a harvest yourself , here is a link to a beautiful ethical company selling the juice ~ bless!

http://www.wildandscottish.co.uk/sea-buckthorn-juice UK