The seabuckthorn is a wild bush which grows in the Gobi desert. This hardy bush is capable of growing in even the poorest of soils, and it can tolerate temperatures as low as -40 Celsius and as high as +40 Celsius. The seabuckthorn oil taken from plants grown in these harsh conditions provides the greatest nutritional benefits, so it is important to know the origin of the seabuckthorn oil you buy. Seabuckthorn oil supplements are rich in many vital nutrients, including vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene and many important flavinoids. These components are all known as powerful antioxidants, and they have been shown to provide excellent protection against a number of diseases caused by the production of free radicals. Antioxidants are thought to interfere with the ability of free radicals to cause damage to the cells of the body. The seabuckthorn plant is known to contain at least 190 bioactive ingredients, with at least 106 of these ingredients contained in seabuckthorn oil. This seabuckthorn oil is thought to be the single best source of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, essential amino acids, flavinoids and unsaturated fatty acids. For instance, seabuckthorn oil contains twice the amount of vitamin E as wheat oil, nine times as much as corn oil and a stunning 35 times as much as soybean oil. In addition, over ninety percent of the fatty acids contained in seabuckthorn oil are of the healthier unsaturated variety. Seabuckthorn oil is a rich source of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. In addition to these important antioxidants and other nutrients, seabuckthorn oil is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are pigments which provide many fruits with their color, and research has shown that flavonoids may have the ability to prevent many common health problems. Flavonoids are also thought to be useful in maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels.