An ancient remedy and superfood, sea buckthorn

Ancient sources tell us that Alexander the Great had a thorough knowledge of medicine and ways to treat the wounds and ailments of his troops (see: Alexander caring for the wounded and the dead).

It is great to learn that one such remedy was the sea buckthorn, specifically the orange berries this shrub produces. It is commonly present in cold-temperate regions of Europe and Asia, from the coastal areas of the Netherlands and the Baltic Sea to Afghanistan, India, the Himalayan region, and northern China. In antiquity, it even grew in Greece. 

The pretty orange berries are full of vitamins and antioxidants, qualities that were unknown to Alexander, although he could take advantage of them. Besides, these fruits contained fatty acids, which helped hair and nails to grow and were beneficial for the eyes. It has been reported that after eating these berries, the king's horses had shinier hair, gained in strength, and recovered more quickly from injuries and illnesses. Alexander most probably added these berries to his own diet and to that of his troops, making them stronger and more vigorous. 

The Latin name for the sea buckthorn berries, Hippophae, may well be based on Alexander’s experiences with the horses as the particles hippos and phaos literally mean “shining horse.” This refers to the radiant effect of the berries on his horses’ fur. 

Alexander must have learned about these berries from Aristotle since Theophrastus, one of his pupils developed the healing properties of sea buckthorn in his writings. The interests of Theophrastus were, of course, not limited to these berries and extended to biology, physics, ethics, and even metaphysics (see: Theophrastus, philosopher and botanist). 

Today, as the sea buckthorn is made available as tea and juice or oil, we know that it even boosts the immune system and increases our concentration. A sound immune system, in particular, must have played an essential role in keeping Alexander’s troops in excellent shape.