OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of Hippophae rhamnoides oil, a preparation of traditional Chinese herbal medicine derived from the fruits of sea buckthorn, on the wounds in burn patients.

METHODSHippophae rhamnoides oil dressing was applied on the burn wounds as an inner dressing and covered by disinfecting dressing. The oil dressing was changed every other day until wound healing.

RESULTSTotally 151 burned patients received the treatment with Hippophae rhamnoides oil dressing, which obviously alleviated the swelling and effusion of the wounds and relieved the pains. Compared with the control patients (treated with vaseline gauze), patients receiving the dressing showed more obvious exudation reduction, pain relief, and faster epithelial cell growth and wound healing, with statistically significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONAs a valuable plant oil with wide uses in medicine, Hippophae rhamnoides oil for external application has definite effects on the healing of burn wounds.