Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Spp. L ): A Sanjeevani (Elixir) Of Cold Arid Trans-Himalayan Region Of India.

In the holy Ramayana, a “magical herb” called “Sanjeevani Booti” or “Life-giving herb” which is found in Indian Himalayas has been mentioned. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae spp. L.) is popular as Sanjeevani of the Cold Desert of India. It is known for its magnificent effects from ancient times. It was believed that this magical herb has unique properties for all known and unknown ailments. Every part of the plant including fruit, flowers, leaf, twig, roots and thorns is traditionally used by the communities of the cold arid zone as medicine, nutritional supplement, fuel and fence. Therefore, it is important to explore more and more about this wonder herb mentioned in the Ramayana. In the present paper, an effort has been made to explore the sea buckthorn which is an ecologically and commercially significant actinorhizal plant. Its habitat, distribution, and economic benefits to society, as it contains a range of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids etc., have been discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]