Palm Oil (elaeis guinensis) • Coconut Oil (cocos nucifera) • Canola Oil (brassica campestris) • Olive Oil (olea eurpaea) • Purified Water • Seabuckthorn seed Oil (hippophae rhamnoides) • Castor Oil (ricinus communis) • Sodium Hydroxide (soda) Crystals.
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Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Seabuckthorn Therapeutic Berry Bar. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Seabuckthorn Therapeutic Berry Bar. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
LIKELY SAFE ...when castor oil is used orally and appropriately, short-term (16). In clinical research, a single oral dose of up to 60 mL of castor oil has been used prior to imaging procedures of the colon (40090,40163,40166,40185,40187,40188,40192).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when the hulled castor seed is used orally and appropriately, short-term. There is some evidence that a single dose of castor seed with the outer coat removed (hulled) can be used safely (7127,7128). ...when castor oil is used topically and appropriately. Castor oil eye drops appear to be safe when used for up to 30 days (40169,40178).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when castor oil is used orally in high doses or for extended periods. Taking castor oil for greater than one week or exceeding the typical dose of 15-60 mL per day can increase the risk of fluid and electrolyte disturbances (272).
UNSAFE ...when the whole seed is used orally. Safety depends on whether or not the seed is chewed or if the outer coat is ruptured. Chewing as few as 1-6 whole seeds can be lethal in an adult. If the seed is swallowed intact, poisoning is less likely; however, prompt medical attention should be sought after ingestion of any whole castor seed (5611).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when castor oil is used orally and appropriately, short-term (16).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when castor oil is used orally in high doses or for extended periods.
Taking castor oil for greater than one week or exceeding the typical children's dose of 1-15 mL per day, depending on age, can increase the risk of fluid and electrolyte disturbances (272).
CHILDREN: UNSAFE
when the whole seed is used orally.
The chewed or uncoated seeds can cause severe toxic effects (5611,5612) and death (5611). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the hulled seed or topical use of castor in children.
PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY SAFE
when castor oil is used orally in pregnant women at term.
Although there have been reports of fetal meconium passage being more common with castor oil use in pregnant women (40184), clinical research shows that the incidence of fetal meconium passage does not significantly differ from no castor oil use (7191,40177). Midwives routinely use castor oil for labor induction in pregnant women at term. This practice does not appear to adversely affect the mother or fetus (1122,7191,40177). However, castor oil should not be used without the supervision of a clinician.
PREGNANCY: LIKELY UNSAFE
when castor oil is used orally in pregnant women who are not at term.
Castor oil might induce premature labor and induce miscarriage (12); avoid using.
PREGNANCY: UNSAFE
when the whole seed is used orally.
The chewed or uncoated seeds can cause severe toxic effects, including death (5611); avoid using. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of using the hulled seed or topical use of castor during pregnancy.
LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in food amounts. Coconut oil can be safely consumed as a component of the diet (12361,17935,94452,106494). However, coconut oil should not be considered a healthy alternative to other saturated fats (94453,94643). Coconut oil contains more saturated fat than animal based fats, including lard and butter (94643). Therefore, like all saturated fats, coconut oil should be used in moderation (94453,94643). ...when used topically and appropriately. Commercial products containing coconut oil in concentrations up to 100% have been used with apparent safety. However, most research has used commercial products with concentrations up to 70% (12356,17936,17941).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts, short-term. Taking coconut oil up to 10 mL orally two or three times daily for up to 12 weeks has been used with apparent safety in clinical research (17938,17942,90615,106493).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used topically and appropriately, short-term.
Coconut oil has been used with apparent safety in children and neonates for about one month (13483,17937,90614,90616,96204,101873). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of coconut oil when taken orally in children.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of using coconut oil in medicinal amounts during pregnancy or lactation.
Coconut oil ingestion increases the amount of lauric acid in breast milk within 10 hours. This indicates that fatty acids from coconut oil are rapidly transferred into human breast milk following oral intake (14086). The impact of this increase in lauric acid on nursing infants is not known.
LIKELY SAFE ...when olive fruit is used orally and appropriately in amounts commonly found in foods.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when olive leaf extract is used orally and appropriately. Olive leaf extract providing 51-100 mg oleuropein daily has been used with apparent safety for 6-8 weeks (92245,92247,101860). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of olive fruit extract when used in amounts greater than those found in foods.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; stick with amounts commonly found in foods.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in food amounts. Palm oil can be safely consumed as a component of the diet (14031,14032). However, palm oil should not be considered a healthy alternative to other saturated fats. Palm oil contains more saturated fat than animal-based fats, including lard and butter, and increased consumption of palm oil has been associated with a higher risk for mortality from ischemic heart disease (14021,17739,94918,94920). Therefore, like all saturated fats, palm oil should be used in moderation.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts, short-term. Palm oil has been used with apparent safety in clinical studies at doses of about 7-12 grams daily for up to 6 months (14030,14032,97572).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts.
Palm oil has been used with apparent safety in clinical studies in children under 5 years of age at doses of 6 grams daily for up to 6 months and in children 5 years of age and older at doses of 9 grams daily for up to 12 months (14032,34466,67509,67534,67571,97572).
PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts.
Diets rich in palm oil or supplemented with palm oil have been used safely during the third trimester of pregnancy (14030,14031,14032).
LACTATION:
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of palm oil when used in medicinal amounts during lactation; avoid amounts in excess of those found in foods.
LIKELY SAFE ...when sea buckthorn fruit is consumed as food. Sea buckthorn fruit is used in jams, jellies, pies, juices, and sauces (9898).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when sea buckthorn fruit or fruit extract is used orally and appropriately for medicinal purposes. The oil extract of the fruit and seed have been used with apparent safety in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 3 months (16692,17406). ...when sea buckthorn fruit is used topically and appropriately. A cream containing sea buckthorn fruit 40% daily has been used with apparent safety for up to 13 days (106091). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of sea buckthorn leaf or leaf extracts when used orally or topically.
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately for medicinal purposes.
Sea buckthorn dry emulsion (prepared with the fruit juice and oil) 5-15 grams daily for 8 weeks has been used with apparent safety in children 1-7 years of age (94800).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Seabuckthorn Therapeutic Berry Bar. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Theoretically, castor oil might increase the risk of hypokalemia when taken with diuretic drugs.
 Details
There is some concern that overuse of castor oil might compound diuretic-induced potassium loss (15).
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Theoretically, palm oil might decrease the effectiveness of antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
Details
The palm olein constituent in palm oil seems to increase platelet aggregation (14037).
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Theoretically, sea buckthorn may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Details
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Theoretically, taking sea buckthorn with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Details
Taking sea buckthorn appears to reduce blood pressure in some patients (74090).
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Seabuckthorn Therapeutic Berry Bar. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Orally and topically, castor oil is generally well tolerated.
Hulled castor seeds with the outer coat removed also seem to be well tolerated when used orally. High doses or long-term use of castor oil may be unsafe, and whole castor seeds are generally regarded as unsafe in any amount.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal discomfort, cramping, dizziness, and nausea (castor oil).
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, gastrointestinal bleeding, hemolysis, nausea, vomiting, and death (whole castor bean seeds).
Cardiovascular
...Orally, hulled castor seeds can result in elevated blood pressure (7128).
In one case report, a woman at full-term pregnancy experienced amniotic fluid embolism and cardiopulmonary arrest within one hour of ingestion of 30 mL of castor oil (1219).
Orally, chewing whole castor bean seeds can cause peripheral vascular collapse (5611,5612,92998,93000,93505,93507).
Dermatologic ...Topically, the castor plant, crushed castor seeds, or castor seed dust can cause dermatitis in some patients (5611). Castor oil does not appear to cause these effects. In one case report, a child developed cheilitis over the course of 3 weeks, which was determined to be an allergic reaction to castor oil contained in lip balm (103864).
Gastrointestinal
...Orally, castor oil, like all stimulant laxatives, can cause abdominal discomfort, cramping, nausea, and faintness (15,272,40183,40186,40187,40192,40177,40185,40188,40163).
Nausea can also occur because of the unpleasant taste of castor oil (7191). Using flavored products might reduce this effect. Castor oil can also cause fluid and electrolyte loss, particularly potassium, which can result in hypokalemia. It can also cause malabsorption from intestinal hypermotility (15,272). Chronic ingestion over long periods of time can lead to cathartic colon (15).
Chewing whole castor bean seeds causes severe toxicity. Gastrointestinal symptoms of castor seed toxicity typically occur with 4-6 hours of ingestion and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain which usually resolves after supportive care (7128,13715,92998,93000,93505).
Genitourinary ...Orally, hulled castor seeds have been associated with cases of dysmenorrhea (7128). Although there have been reports of fetal meconium passage being more common with castor oil use in pregnant women (40184), clinical research shows that the incidence of fetal meconium passage does not significantly differ from no castor oil use (7191,40177). In one case report, a woman at full-term pregnancy experienced amniotic fluid embolism and cardiopulmonary arrest within one hour of ingestion of 30 mL of castor oil (1219). However, midwives routinely use castor oil for labor induction in pregnant women at term. This practice does not appear to adversely affect the mother or fetus (1122,7191,40177).
Hematologic ...Orally, chewing whole castor bean seeds can cause dehydration, hemolysis, and severe fluid and electrolyte disturbances (5611,5612,92998,93000,93505,93507).
Hepatic ...Orally, chewing whole castor bean seeds can cause damage to liver 2-5 days after ingestion (5611,5612,92998,93000,93505,93507).
Immunologic ...Exposure to castor beans, plants, or seed dust can cause contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals (5611). Castor oil does not appear to cause these effects. In one case report, a child developed cheilitis over the course of 3 weeks, which was determined to be an allergic reaction to castor oil contained in lip balm (103864). Orally, castor oil did not cause rash in clinical research (40185).
Musculoskeletal ...After inhalation, ricin, the toxic constituent of the castor seed hull, typically causes severe illness within 8 hours, but symptoms may be delayed. Symptoms include arthralgias and fever (13715).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, castor oil has been associated with syncope or dizziness in 2-20% of patients in clinical research (40188,40163,40187,40192). In a study of women taking castor seeds as a contraceptive, there were some reports of headache (7128).
Ocular/Otic ...Ophthalmically, castor oil emulsion eye drops resulted in blurred vision in 2 of 27 patients in one study (40178). In another study 2% castor oil eye drops caused slight eye irritation after storage at 60°C for four weeks, and no irritation when stored at 4°C (40169).
Psychiatric ...Taken orally for bowel cleansing, castor oil has been associated with insomnia (40185).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...After inhalation, ricin, the toxic constituent of the castor seed hull, typically causes respiratory illness within 8 hours, but symptoms may be delayed. Symptoms include cough, dyspnea, and fever. Progression to respiratory distress and death can occur (13715).
Renal ...Orally, chewing whole castor bean seeds can cause renal failure secondary to hypovolemia. Cellular damage to kidneys typically occurs 2-5 days after ingestion (5611,5612,92998,93000,93505,93507).
Other
...Intravenously, castor bean extract can cause multi-organ failure and death.
In one case report, a 26-year-old male presented to the emergency room with severe abdominal cramps, nausea, and headache after intravenously injecting castor bean extract as a suicide attempt. The patient rapidly deteriorated and died from multi-organ failure 10 hours after injection despite supportive care (100835).
Orally, chewing whole castor bean seeds can cause significant toxicity and death (5611,5612,92998,93000,93505,93507).
General
...Orally and topically, coconut oil is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Increased cholesterol levels.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
All routes of administration: Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in sensitive individuals.
Cardiovascular ...Due to its high saturated fat content, there has been some speculation that consuming coconut oil might increase cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Several population and clinical studies have found that consuming coconut oil increases total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in some patients (12361,14407,17935,17940,94451,94452,99103,101877,101879,106489,106494). In patients with normal to high cholesterol levels, consuming a daily diet providing 30% to 36% of calories from fat, of which 46% to 66% is from coconut oil, for 4-12 weeks increases total cholesterol by about 12-15 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by about 9-12 mg/dL, and HDL cholesterol by 3-6 mg/dL when compared to a diet containing vegetable oils, especially those rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (17935,94451,94452,101877,106489). In some cases, these cholesterol effects are similar to those seen in patients consuming a similar diet containing butter or beef fat (12361,17935,94451,99103,101879). Despite the potential effects of coconut oil on cholesterol levels, population research has not found an association with coconut oil consumption and risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction or angina (14407,96205). Advise patients not to rely on coconut oil as a "healthy" alternative to other saturated fats.
Dermatologic ...In one case report, a 6-year-old child developed urticaria and hives from applying coconut oil to the skin. The child had been exposed to coconut oil consistently since 2 weeks of age, indicating sensitization over the course of regular exposure (95806). In clinical research, one patient reported localized pruritus immediately after applying a combination of coconut oil, anise oil, and ylang ylang (13483). It is unclear if this event was due to coconut oil, other ingredients, or the combination. Also, it is possible that this was an idiosyncratic event.
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, diarrhea and gastroenteritis have been reported rarely (101877).
Hepatic ...Orally, taking virgin coconut oil in the diet for 28 days modestly increased levels of liver enzymes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, it is unclear if this was due to the coconut oil or to the illness (107664).
Immunologic
...Several cases of allergic reactions have been reported for patients who consumed coconut fruit.
In some of the cases, the patients were previously diagnosed with sensitivity to other tree nuts, including peanuts, so cross-sensitivity is suspected. In a separate case report, a 17-year-old male was found to be sensitized to both coconut and buckwheat, indicating a possible cross-sensitivity between the two allergens (95808). In other cases, the patients did not show sensitivity to any other allergens, so the patients were considered to have a single allergy to coconut fruit (12359,12360).
Because coconut oil is derived from coconut fruit, ingestion of coconut oil may theoretically cause allergic reactions in patients with confirmed allergy to coconut fruit. In one case report, a 6-year-old child who had previously experienced urticaria and hives from applying coconut oil to the skin experienced throat swelling and anaphylaxis after eating food containing coconut, indicating a sensitivity to both the fruit and the oil via both topical application and ingestion (95806). However, allergic reactions to coconut appear to occur significantly less often than allergies to other food items such as wheat, milk, soy, or peanut (14408).
General
...Orally, olive fruit is well tolerated when used in typical food amounts.
Olive leaf extract seems to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Headache and stomach discomfort.
Dermatologic ...Orally, one patient in one clinical trial reported bad skin and acne after using olive leaf extract (101860).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, three patients in one clinical trial reported stomach ache after using olive leaf extract (101860).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, three patients in one clinical trial reported headache after using olive leaf extract (101860).
Psychiatric ...In one case report, a 67-year-old female experienced irritability, anger, a lack of control, and feelings of sadness and negativity after consuming a multi-ingredient product containing olive leaf extract 5 grams, horseradish root, and eyebright daily for 38 days. All psychiatric symptoms disappeared within days of stopping the combined product. It is hypothesized that the hydroxytyrosol component of olive leaf extract contributed to these symptoms due to its chemical similarity to dopamine; however, it is not clear if these symptoms were due to the olive leaf extract or to the other ingredients (96245).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Olive tree pollen can cause seasonal respiratory allergy (1543).
General ...Orally, palm oil is well tolerated.
Cardiovascular ...In population research, increased dietary intake of palm oil has been associated with a higher risk for mortality from ischemic heart disease, but not stroke (94920). The effect of oral palm oil on blood lipid levels differs depending on the diet to which it is compared and the patient population being studied. Some research suggests that diets rich in palm oil can increase levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol when compared with diets rich in monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids (106719). When substituted for other saturated fats in the diet, palm oil reduces total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol levels better than myristic and lauric acids, but increases these when compared with stearic acid (67533,67569,94913,94919). However, meta-analyses of studies in healthy individuals show that palm oil has no significant effects on total or LDL cholesterol or triglycerides when compared with unsaturated fatty acids, although it may increase HDL cholesterol in these individuals (103847,103848). If substituted for trans fatty acids, palm oil increases HDL cholesterol levels, with no impact on total or LDL cholesterol levels. When substituted for hydrogenated vegetable oils, the effect of palm oil on cholesterol levels is neutral. The effect of palm oil on cholesterol levels, regardless of the comparator fat source, appears to be more pronounced with older age, higher total intake of fat in the diet, and higher baseline cholesterol levels (94913).
Dermatologic ...Orally, red palm oil may cause carotenosis (also called carotenoderma), which is a yellow to yellow-orange discoloration of the skin caused by increased serum carotenoids and their subsequent deposition in the outermost layer of skin (14053). Due to the lipophilic nature of the carotenoids, the onset may be delayed and persist for up to 5 months after ceasing red palm oil consumption (67547).
Musculoskeletal ...In one clinical study, infants fed formula containing palm olein oil (a palm oil derivative) had reduced bone mineral content and bone mineral density at 3 and 6 months when compared with infants fed milk-based formula. However, this reduction is not considered clinically significant, as the values for all infants were within the normal range (14033).
General
...Orally, sea buckthorn is well tolerated.
Topically, sea buckthorn fruit seems to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Topically: Irritation and rash.
Dermatologic ...Orally, high doses of sea buckthorn may cause yellow staining of the skin. One case of generalized yellow skin has been reported for a patient who consumed sea buckthorn 100 grams daily for 6 months (74072). Topically, sea buckthorn oil has been associated with dryness, irritation, redness, and rash (74077,102845). Rash occurred in 4% of patients in one clinical study (74077). When used intravaginally, severe burning and itching have been reported rarely (106089).
