The Greeks were apparently the first ones to discover the medicinal properties of Sea Buckthorn. They fed the leaves to their horses, whose coats turned very shiny. This is how Sea Buckthorn got its Latin name. "Hippo" stands for horse and "phaos" means to shine. Sea Buckthorn has also been used for over a thousand years in China for skin irritation, sunburn, wounds, gastric problems, coughs and mucous membrane health.

Recently, many countries have conducted scientific research on Sea Buckthorn, which has confirmed the curative properties of the plant. These studies have also found that Sea Buckthorn is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. The berries contain 10 different vitamins, 24 trace elements, and 18 amino acids. They are rich in protein, and have a high concentration of some rare essential fatty acids. A German study found that Sea Buckthorn contains as much vitamin B-12 as liver. It is also on the top list for vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and flavonoid content.

Cosmetics made of Sea Buckthorn are valued for their rejuvenating, restorative and anti-aging properties. Sea Buckthorn oil is widely used to treat various skin conditions like dry skin, burns, and premature skin aging caused by the sun. Research has also found antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in Sea Buckthorn.