Sea buckthorn is a plant native to China and is found throughout the major moderate zones of the world. This plant can grow under harsh conditions, such as drought, frost and desert. This thorny, dioecious, deciduous shrub with yellow or orange berries belongs to the oleaster family (Elaeagnaceae). Hippophae rhamnoides is divided into nine subspecies based on genetic variations, among which H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis Rousi and H. rhamnoides ssp. yunnanensis Rousi are found only in China.

Sea buckthorn leaves are long lanceolate with characteristic silver hairs on the underside. It blooms in April or May, producing a large number of small brown flowers, forming clusters. In time, round yellow berries are formed. The ripening season is in September. The berries have a characteristic bitter and sour taste with a delicate aroma. The dense arrangement of the berries and numerous thorns make harvesting very difficult.

Sea buckthorn is rich in bioactive substances, which are present not only in the berries but also in the seeds and leaves. Different parts of sea buckthorn plant vary in composition of antioxidants, which has shown a positive biological, physiological and medicinal effect.

The most commonly known constituent is ascorbic acid found in berries, juice, and leaves; the others include:
*phytosterols, including cycloartenol, campesterol; citrostadienol, sitosterol;
*carotenoids, including lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene;
*tocopherols. including α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol;
*and abundant flavonoids, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and polyphenolic compounds, such as gallic acid.

Sea buckthorn plant has been used in traditional medicine for a long time in China. It is widely used in food and feed production. Sea buckthorn juice is cold pressed separated from the whole fruit. The remaining part is sea buckthorn oil. Another food prepared from the leaves is sea buckthorn tea. Antioxidant-rich jam can be obtained either from sea buckthorn fruit.

Its taste and nutritional properties, together with its health benefits, make sea buckthorn a valuable material for use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food.