The benefits and effects of sea buckthorn are reflected in many aspects, including food and ecology

Sea buckthorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree of the genus Hippophae in the family Elaeagnaceae, also known as vinegar willow and sour thorn, and is mainly distributed in the arid and semi-arid regions of northern China. It is cold-resistant, drought-resistant and tolerant of poor soil, with a well-developed root system and root nodules, and can survive in harsh environments, making it a commonly used tree species for soil and water conservation and for windbreaks and sand fixation.

The most widely known benefit of sea buckthorn is found in its fruit. The fruit is orange-yellow, rich in sweet and sour flavor, contains abundant vitamin C, and also contains flavonoids, amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids and other components, with a nutritional value that stands out among common fruits and vegetables. Using the fruit as a raw material, it can be processed into products such as juice, jam, fruit wine and sea buckthorn oil, each with its own distinctive flavor.

In terms of traditional applications, sea buckthorn is a plant that serves as both food and medicine, and its dried fruit is often used in medicine, among the people mostly for strengthening the stomach and aiding digestion, relieving cough and reducing phlegm, and other purposes. The leaves and young branches can also be made into tea or used as feed, so its uses are fairly diverse. It should be noted that sea buckthorn fruit has a relatively high acid content, so it is not advisable to eat it fresh in excessive amounts, and people with sensitive stomachs should consume it in moderation even more so.

Besides its food and medicinal value, sea buckthorn is equally important in ecological development. It has dense branches and leaves and strong sprouting ability, can fix nitrogen and improve the soil, creating growing conditions for other plants, and is often used as slope-protection forest and fodder forest. For growers, sea buckthorn is relatively extensively managed and has fewer pests and diseases, combining ecological benefits with economic benefits, and is a tree species with considerable development prospects in northern regions.