PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

SEABUCKTHORN - A Resource For Environment, Health And Economy
New Delhi : March 12, 2004

A two-day seminar on seabuckthorn plant began at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences in New Delhi today. Dr Tej Pratap, Vice Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University inaugurated the seminar; the Directorate of Life Sciences of DRDO under the Ministry of Defence has organized to promote propagation of seabuckthorn plant, which has vast potential as a source for health, food, environment conservation and economy.

Addressing the seminar the Chief Controller Research & Development of DRDO said that the plant seems like Sanjivini- the ancient medicinal herb. He said that it is of special interest to DRDO as it grows wild in the Western Himalayas where majority of our troops are stationed. The plant has a high potential to facilitate human adaptation to extremely cold climatic conditions prevalent in the mountainous region. Dr Selvamurthy informed that the DRDO has included this plant in programme Charak in which efficacy of different herbs (growing under harsh climatic conditions) in curtailing environment ind! uced maladies is being investigated. Seabuckthorn based preparations have been found to be effective in protecting against exposure to cold, hypoxia and stress, besides providing protection against radiation and toxicant exposure in animal models. Dr Selvamurthy said that DRDO has been able to bring national awareness about the plant, which can transform the cold desert region of Hamalayas into richest region of the country.

Inaugurating the seminar Dr Tej Pratap said that the Seabuckthorn can grow even in a –30 degree temperatures. He informed that it can be grown by aerially spraying the seeds and it needs very less water. Dr Pratap also said that its roots spread fast and help in arresting soil erosion.

Field Research Laboratory, Leh has developed a beverage from the fruits of the seabuckthorn and transferred the technology to M/s Ladakh Foods Ltd. This drink is supplied to the army for the troops located in Siachen. The beverage is liked by the troops not only because of its rich vitamin content but also because it does not freeze even in sub zero temperatures.

Seabuckthorn fruits and leaves are highly nutritious and have great pharmaceutical value and are a rich source of vitamin C, E, K caroteniods, flavonoids and phytosterols. Seabuckthorn is used in about two hundred industrial products including life saving drugs and herbs to treat cancer, heart ailments, ulcers, hepatic disorders, burns and brain disorders. Due to high contents of antioxidants, seabuckthorn oil is being extensively used as anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial, analgesic and for promotion of tissue regeneration.

As the awareness about the economic potential of seabuckthorn is spreading across the country, more and more industries are showing keen interest in optimum exploitation of this great natural resource. However, we must plan now to establish organized private orchards of seabuchthorn to ensure its conservation, propagation and prevention from misuse, only then an adequate raw material will be available for all the future industries based on seabuckthorn said Dr Selvamurthy.