What Is Sea Buckthorn Called in India?
Abhinav GuptaShare
In India, sea buckthorn is most commonly known as Leh Berry or Chharma, and locally in Ladakh as Dhurchuk or Tsermang. It's the same bright-orange Himalayan berry the rest of the world calls sea buckthorn — but in India it carries generations of regional names and traditional use. Here's the full picture.
What is sea buckthorn called in India?
Sea buckthorn goes by several names across India:
- Leh Berry — the most widely used commercial name, after the Leh region of Ladakh where it grows.
- Chharma — a common Indian name for the berry and plant.
- Dhurchuk / Tsermang — regional Ladakhi names.
- Seaberry — an English name sometimes used interchangeably.
Its botanical name is Hippophae rhamnoides.
Where does sea buckthorn grow in India?
Sea buckthorn grows wild across the cold, high-altitude deserts of the Indian Himalayas — primarily Leh-Ladakh, and parts of Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand. It thrives above 10,000 feet in conditions most plants can't survive, which is part of why the berry becomes so nutrient-dense.
Why is it important in Ladakh?
For generations, communities in Ladakh have used sea buckthorn to cope with extreme cold, high altitude, and harsh sun. The berries, leaves and juice have traditionally been consumed to support stamina, warmth, and everyday resilience. The Indian defence forces have also studied it as a natural way to help troops adapt to high-altitude conditions.
Is Indian sea buckthorn different from other sea buckthorn?
It's the same species, but sourcing matters. Sea buckthorn wild-harvested from the high Himalayas of Leh-Ladakh grows in an extreme, clean, high-altitude environment — which is associated with a richer concentration of nutrients than lowland or cultivated sources. This is why origin is worth checking when you buy.
The bottom line
Whether you call it Leh Berry, Chharma, or sea buckthorn, it's one of India's most remarkable native superfoods — hiding in plain sight in the Himalayas. At Mevva, we cold-press it whole, straight from wild Leh-Ladakh berries.