Does Sea Buckthorn Increase Estrogen? A Comprehensive Analysis

Sea buckthorn, known scientifically as Hippophae rhamnoides, is a bright orange berry that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine across Asia and Eastern Europe. In recent years, it has gained popularity in the health and wellness world due to its reputed benefits for skin, cardiovascular health, and immune support. Notably, some claims suggest that sea buckthorn may also have the ability to influence hormone levels, particularly estrogen. As estrogen plays a critical role in female reproductive and overall health, the idea that a natural supplement like sea buckthorn could boost estrogen is appealing, especially to women experiencing menopause or hormonal imbalances. This article critically examines the scientific evidence behind sea buckthorn’s potential effect on estrogen levels.

What is Estrogen and Why Does it Matter?

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone, playing essential roles in regulating the menstrual cycle, maintaining bone and cardiovascular health, supporting cognitive function, and ensuring reproductive tissue health. Both high and low levels of estrogen can result in significant health issues. For example, low estrogen is a hallmark of menopause and is linked with symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Similarly, certain health conditions, such as some hormone-dependent cancers, require careful management of estrogen exposure.

Given these facts, there is growing interest in “phytoestrogens”—plant-derived compounds that exert weak estrogen-like effects in the body. Phytoestrogens are abundant in foods like soy and flaxseed and are sometimes used to help manage menopausal symptoms.

Sea Buckthorn’s Bioactive Profile

Sea buckthorn berries and their oil are rich in several nutrients and plant compounds, including vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, sterols, flavonoids, and unique fatty acids like omega-7. Among these, a few bioactive components—mainly some phenolic compounds—show structural similarity to phytoestrogens, prompting curiosity about potential hormone-modulating effects.

Levels of phytoestrogens in sea buckthorn, however, are modest when compared to classic sources such as soybeans and flaxseed. Most comprehensive analyses show sea buckthorn contains lignans and other polyphenols with only weak or negligible affinity for estrogen receptors.

What Do Laboratory and Animal Studies Say?

Studies seeking to identify whether sea buckthorn has estrogenic effects have been conducted mainly in laboratory cell cultures and animal models.

In vitro (test tube) research using sea buckthorn extracts has sometimes shown minimal binding to estrogen receptors, but these effects are far weaker than those seen with potent phytoestrogens from soy or red clover. In animal studies, sea buckthorn does not significantly raise estrogen levels in the blood, nor does it cause reproductive tissue changes (such as increased uterine weight) that would be expected if it acted as a strong estrogen mimic.

Most positive health effects observed in animal studies—such as improved skin hydration or tissue repair in ovariectomized (menopause-model) rats—are linked to Sea buckthorn oil’s rich supply of fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds, not to measurable changes in estrogen activity.

What Do Human Studies Report?

Human research on sea buckthorn’s hormone-modulating properties is limited—and often indirect. Most clinical studies focus on sea buckthorn’s role in supporting skin health or alleviating vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women.

For example, in a few small clinical trials conducted on postmenopausal women, taking Sea buckthorn oil improved the moisture and resilience of the vaginal mucosa, reducing dryness. However, researchers attributed these benefits to the supplement’s rich fatty acid and antioxidant content, rather than any increase in systemic estrogen or direct estrogen-like effect. Measurements of circulating estrogen before and after supplementing with sea buckthorn typically reveal no notable changes.

Some anecdotal reports claim that sea buckthorn helps with menopausal symptoms. Still, when these claims are systematically studied, the evidence points to general tissue support, not hormone elevation.

Safety and Suitability for Hormone-Sensitive Conditions

Because sea buckthorn does not substantially increase estrogen or demonstrate potent estrogen-like effects, it is generally considered safe even for those with a history of hormone-sensitive disorders. This makes it a preferable supplement for supporting skin, vaginal, and mucosal health in women who need to avoid estrogenic herbs or drugs. Still, anyone with a hormone-sensitive medical condition should consult with their healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

How Sea Buckthorn Supports Women’s Health

Although it does not strongly modulate estrogen, sea buckthorn delivers a number of science-backed health benefits for women and men alike. Its nutrient and antioxidant content support tissue repair, skin hydration, immune function, and cardiovascular health. In dry climates or in postmenopausal women, it can improve mucosal integrity and moisture, making it useful for managing vaginal dryness without the risks associated with estrogen therapy.

Conclusion

Current scientific evidence does not support the idea that sea buckthorn increases estrogen levels or meaningfully mimics estrogen’s actions in the body. The berry and its oil contain only trace amounts of weak phytoestrogens, far less than plants like soy or flaxseed, and neither laboratory nor human studies show a consistent estrogen-boosting effect. Sea buckthorn’s value in women’s health likely stems from its rich supply of fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, not from hormonal activity.

Therefore, sea buckthorn is a valuable and versatile supplement for supporting mucosal, skin, and cardiovascular health, but it should not be relied upon for altering estrogen levels. Women seeking hormonal balance or menopause symptom relief should consult their healthcare provider for guidance on evidence-based therapies.