It’s 26 August 2026, and the sun is still strong, the air is warm, and the days feel long. Late summer always brings questions in the shop about sea buckthorn, and lately many of those conversations have been with women thinking about this stage of life and how they look after themselves. We can’t make promises about what any supplement will do — and we wouldn’t want to — but sea buckthorn is a plant with a genuinely interesting history, and it’s one we’re always happy to talk through.
A long history of traditional use
Sea buckthorn is a hardy shrub that grows in cold, harsh environments, from the coasts of northern Europe to the Himalayan plateau. Its bright orange berries and seeds yield a rich oil, and the plant has a long history of use in herbal tradition across Europe and Asia, where the berries, the oil and even the leaves were all traditionally used in different ways.
Today it is usually taken as an oil, in capsules, or as a powder. The berries are naturally rich in vitamin C and also contain omega-7 fatty acids, which is why you will often see sea buckthorn oil described as an omega-7 supplement. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, and vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Those are the authorised claims for the nutrient itself, and they are worth bearing in mind when you read any label: they describe what vitamin C does as a nutrient, not what the plant as a whole does.
That distinction matters, and it is where honesty comes in. Sea buckthorn has no authorised health claim on the GB register, so we will not tell you it does anything to the body. What we can say is that it has been traditionally taken for generations, that it remains a firm favourite in herbal tradition, and that plenty of our customers choose to make it part of their daily routine — especially at this time of year, when the skin has seen a lot of sun.
How to choose
When choosing a sea buckthorn supplement, start with the form you would actually take. Oils, capsules and powders all have their fans, and the most sensible choice is simply the one that fits your routine. If you know you would forget a spoonful of oil, a capsule you take with breakfast is the better buy.
Then read the label. Look at which part of the plant the oil comes from — seed oil and berry oil are different products with different fatty acid profiles — and check how much you get per capsule. A higher strength capsule means fewer to take each day, while a larger pack usually works out better value if you plan to take it regularly. If you are comparing products and are not sure what a label is telling you, ask us; the team can walk you through the differences without the jargon.
As with any supplement, sea buckthorn is not suitable for everyone, and it can interact with some medicines. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medication, speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting anything new.
What we stock
In the shop we keep two sea buckthorn options on the shelf. Bio-Active Omega 7 (Sea Buckthorn Oil) is a higher strength capsule for those who want fewer to take each day, while Sea Buckthorn 90 Caps is a larger pack that works out as good value for regular use. Both are clearly labelled, and we are happy to go through the labels with you in person or over the phone.
Visit us
If you are in Bedford, you are welcome to come into the shop and speak to the team in person. We are at 7 The Arcade, Bedford, MK40 1NS, and we are open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 17:15. You can also call us on 01234 348179 if you have any questions or would like to order something. Whether you are curious about sea buckthorn, browsing the rest of the shelves, or just after a friendly chat, we are here for you. Come in and see us — we’d love to welcome you.