In people with tinnitus associated with Meniere's disease, mg of Pycnogenol taken daily for 6 months significantly improved blood flow to the inner ear and symptoms of tinnitus compared to those who received standard treatments Luzzi, Minerva Med A weakness of both of studies is that they lacked placebo controls.

A list of published clinical studies for other uses of Pycnogenol can be found on the product's website, here. Glaucoma Two studies, described below, suggest that taking a combination of Pycnogenol and bilberry fruit extract may reduce eye pressure. However, neither study involved a placebo control, as needed to prove a benefit, nor reported improvements in vision.

A study in Japan among 18 people average age 58 with a common form of glaucoma primary open-angle showed that taking one tablet Sante Glagenox by Santen Pharmaceutical Co.

containing 40 mg of Pycnogenol and 90 mg of bilberry fruit extract Mirtoselect by Idena once daily for 4 weeks reduced pressure within the eye by 8. The patients in this study were already taking at least one medication mainly prostaglandin or a beta-blocker to control eye pressure.

Changes in best-corrected visual acuity were not reported Manabe, J Clin Biochem Nutr The lack of a control group limits the impact of these results. A study among 38 adults average age 45 without glaucoma but with elevated pressure within the eye, which can cause glaucoma, showed that taking one tablet Mirtogenol containing 40 mg of Pycnogenol and 80 mg of bilberry extract Mirtoselect twice daily in the morning and evening for 6 months reduced pressure within the eye by 3.

Those in the treatment group also showed improved blood flow in the arteries in the eyes, while those in the control group showed no improvement.

These between-group differences were statistically significant, although those treated with Mirtogenol still had elevated eye pressure after 6 months normal range is 11 to 21 mmgHg.

Both groups had normal visual acuity at the start and end of the study Steigerwalt, Mol Vis. Mirtogenol is included in the product Eye Pressure Support with Mirtogenol by Life Extension, but ConsumerLab has not tested this product.

Coronary artery calcification Two studies, described below, suggest that taking a combination of Pycnogenol and gotu kola extract may help control calcifications in arteries of the heart, but the results are very preliminary and neither study involved a placebo control, as needed to prove a benefit.

However, this study did not include a placebo group, which is needed to prove a benefit. However, plaque stability index increased by More stable, "hard" plaques have been linked with increased arterial stiffness but a lower risk of adverse cardiovascular events, although cardiovascular outcomes were not assessed in this study Belcaro, Int J Angiol High blood pressure A clinical study among overweight individuals with elevated or high blood pressure showed that taking mg of Flavangenol once daily in the morning for 12 weeks did not significantly reduce systolic or diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo, regardless of systolic blood pressure readings at baseline.

There were also no significant improvements in other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, or markers of inflammation, and body mass index actually slightly increased in the Flavangenol group compared to placebo Drieling, JAMA Intern Med Skin and sun protection A clinical study of the branded pine bark extract, Flavangenol Toyo Shinyaku Inc.

High blood pressure Taking mg of Oligopin another brand of French maritime pine bark extract daily for 5 week did not lower systolic or diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo among 24 people with stage 1 high blood pressure Valls, Phytomedicine Pycnogenol appears to be safe and is generally well-tolerated, although a low incidence of adverse effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, dizziness and vertigo and have been reported American Botanical Council Monograph.

In clinical trials, a total daily dose of mg of Pycnogenol has been taken for up to one year and been well-tolerated Errichi, Panminerva Med The American Botanical Council has stated that while there are no long-term safety studies, " there is no evidence from actual product use over several decades by millions of people that might warrant a limitation, and based on the published chemistry and pharmacology of Pycnogenol , there are no data suggesting a limitation on duration of use However, other experts have stated, "None of the studies considered safety as an important concern and the duration of most of the included studies was insufficient to adequately detect adverse events that may occur from taking the supplement chronically" Robertson, Cochrane Database Syst Rev While Pycnogenol is self-affirmed GRAS Generally Recognized As Safe , it is important to note that self-affirmed GRAS status is only a declaration by the manufacturer; it is not granted by the FDA and does not mean that the agency has reviewed the safety data or recognized this ingredient as safe.

Pycnogenol could potentially lower blood sugar and affect platelet aggregation and increase the risk of bleeding in some people Liu, Life Sci ; Araghi-Niknam, Integr Med Therefore, it should be used with caution in people with diabetes who are taking medications to lower blood sugar, including insulin, and in people taking blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin, clopidogrel Plavix and warfarin Coumadin.

There is limited clinical evidence about the safety of Pinus massoniana bark extract, but two short-term studies both of which were funded by the manufacturer reported no adverse effects when a drink containing 1, mg of Pinus massoniana extract was taken daily for 12 weeks Ferguson, Complement Ther Med ; Ferguson, Antioxidants Basel Since gastrointestinal discomfort appears to be the most common side effect of Pycnogenol , it may be best to take this supplement with, or after, meals.

There does not appear to be any evidence that food increases or decreases Pycnogenol absorption. Although side effects do not appear to be dose related, it is probably best to start with the lowest daily dosage shown to be effective for a particular condition until you know how you react to the supplement American Botanical Council Monograph.

Look for extracts derived from Pinus pinaster In general, supplements derived from Pinus massoniana tend to cost less — for example, Pine Bark Extract from Vitacost, which is obtained from Pinus massoniana , costs 6 cents per mg of pine bark extract compared to 68 cents per mg of pine bark extract in Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract by Root 2 or Pycnogenol French Maritime Pine Bark Extract by Life Extension.

However, there is no convincing clinical evidence that Pinus massoniana is beneficial for any condition. Therefore, despite the higher cost, it seems best to look for a pine bark extract product derived from Pinus pinaster. However, while some products containing Oligopin cost less than Pycnogenol -containing products e.

Therefore, it seems prudent to consider opting for Pycnogenol -containing products over other brands, at least until more research confirms similar benefits of other branded extracts. Be wary of very low-cost products Be aware that there are many other pine bark extracts derived from Pinus pinaster that do not contain branded ingredients such as Pycnogenol.

These products tend to cost much less — for example, Extra Strength French Maritime Pine Bark Extract by Purely Holistic or Zazzee cost about 3 to 4 cents per mg. It is unclear what portion of the proanthocyanidins in these less expensive pine bark extracts is procyanidins. It is possible that the lower cost of these products may result from adulteration with other proanthocyanidin containing extracts such as peanut skin extract.

The composition and structure of proanthocyanidins in peanut skin extract differ from pine bark extract Justia Patent 10,, Check names carefully Also, be aware that some brands of pine bark extract appear to come from companies with names that sound like the company that makes Pycnogenol , Horphag, but are different we found one product on Amazon.

com, for example, made by "Horbaach". Pine bark extract contains flavonoid compounds called oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes, which are thought to be responsible for some of its effects.

Unfortunately, the current method of testing for these compounds can be easily fooled by the addition of peanut skin extract which also contain proanthocyanidins Justia Patent 10,, Until a reliable, method is developed and validated by an authoritative institution such as USP United States Pharmacopeia and AOAC Association of Analytical Communities International, ConsumerLab.

In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine.

On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable.

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What is the best way to take Pycnogenol? Find out in the How to Take section of our updated CL Answer about Pycnogenol. Find out if any supplements may help improve fibromyalgia symptoms, learn which supplements do not seem beneficial, and find out if any supplements worsen symptoms.

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Join Now Already a member? Our Members Asked: What is Pycnogenol, does it work, and is it the same as other pine bark extracts? Latest Update. Pycnogenol for Hearts and Eyes?

Written by Tod Cooperman, M. Answer: Pycnogenol Horphag Research , a branded extract from the bark of French maritime pine Pinus pinaster , formerly Pinus maritima Poir. Possible benefits of pine bark extracts As summarized in the table below and discussed in more detail in the subsequent paragraphs, pine bark extract has been evaluated for numerous conditions, with some studies suggesting possible benefits.

Flavangenol High blood pressure A clinical study among overweight individuals with elevated or high blood pressure showed that taking mg of Flavangenol once daily in the morning for 12 weeks did not significantly reduce systolic or diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo, regardless of systolic blood pressure readings at baseline.

Oligopin High blood pressure Taking mg of Oligopin another brand of French maritime pine bark extract daily for 5 week did not lower systolic or diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo among 24 people with stage 1 high blood pressure Valls, Phytomedicine Safety of Pycnogenol and other pine bark extracts Pycnogenol Pycnogenol appears to be safe and is generally well-tolerated, although a low incidence of adverse effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, dizziness and vertigo and have been reported American Botanical Council Monograph.

Pinus massoniana There is limited clinical evidence about the safety of Pinus massoniana bark extract, but two short-term studies both of which were funded by the manufacturer reported no adverse effects when a drink containing 1, mg of Pinus massoniana extract was taken daily for 12 weeks Ferguson, Complement Ther Med ; Ferguson, Antioxidants Basel After the stress, recovery to the initial shape, volumes, and sizes was achieved faster and better.

Another study found that treatment with Pycnogenol® results in a significant improvement in signs of postpartum varicose veins. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding taking Pycnogenol® if you are on active treatment or any other medications to manage varicose vein-related issues.

Actually, studies have found Pycnogenol® to be extremely efficient in reducing the prevalence of mouth ulcers and sores by enhancing the blood microcirculation in the gums. Several clinical studies have shown that Pycnogenol® accelerates wound healing and reduces scar formation. It protects the skin's collagen matrix and increases its stability during the healing process.

Yes, Pycnogenol® may significantly improve the appearance, swelling, and discomfort of pregnancy-induced spider vein clusters.

Studies also show that Pycnogenol® may improve blood flow and reduce swelling, pain, and the number of faulty veins post-pregnancy. Yes, as per this study, taking Pycnogenol® daily, along with asthma medications, seems to decrease asthma symptoms and reduce the need for medication.

An alternative study concluded that Pycnogenol® has antihistamine properties, helps manage childhood asthma, and reduces the need for rescue inhalers in children and adults with asthma.

Pycnogenol® is not expected to cause renal damage. In fact, this study states that Pycnogenol® can naturally improve kidney function in people with metabolic syndrome.

It exhibits several kidney protective benefits and lowers elevated blood pressure and blood sugar which causes kidney damage in many people. Caution: Please consult your healthcare professional regarding taking Pycnogenol® if you are on active treatment or any other medications to manage renal problems.

Studies suggest that Pycnogenol® provides significant benefits for women living with menstrual discomfort. It works in the following ways: Reduction of pain during the menstrual cycle.

Natural anti-inflammatory activity. Fewer days with menstrual pain. Improvement of endometriosis Balances the estrogen levels Alleviates the cramping and abdominal pain sensation. A new clinical study revealed that Pycnogenol® reduces ADHD in children. The study shows that Pycnogenol® balances stress hormones, which lowers adrenaline and dopamine, resulting in decreased ADHD symptoms.

It works by reducing hyperactivity and improving attention, concentration, and motor-visual coordination in children with ADHD. As a caution, we recommend that you check with your physician about adding on Pycnogenol®. No, in fact, Pycnogenol® is used in patients with piles and haemorrhoids to help reduce the severity of symptoms.

Yes, Pycnogenol® has proved to be beneficial for people with allergic asthma. It has proven to be successful in controlling the signs and symptoms of allergic asthma and has reduced the need for medication significantly.

The research found that Pycnogenol® inhibits the release of histamine, and its anti-inflammatory properties inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, which in turn relieve swelling and make breathing easier.

While allergies or asthma are not considered contraindications to the use of Pycnogenol®, we recommend that you check with your physician if you are actively managed for asthma. Pycnogenol® has natural anti-inflammatory properties. It works by reducing inflammations at the onset, which reduces the pain and helps people who have endometriosis without complication or side effects, going by this study.

According to research , pre-diabetics have found Pycnogenol® helpful. In diabetes, the excess amount of unused glucose in the bloodstream impacts the vascular system. Pycnogenol® helps lower the blood sugar and lipid levels by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates, which in turn reduces the glucose load in the bloodstream.

Pycnogenol® proves to be efficient in controlling blood sugar and lipid levels. Taking Pycnogenol®, along with diabetes medications, might cause your blood sugar to below. Your diabetes medications might require dose alterations accordingly. Yes, Pycnogenol® is a natural option for maintaining optimal cholesterol levels.

Clinical trials found that Pycnogenol® has the potential to neutralize all the important cardiovascular risk factors simultaneously. It has the tendency to lower 'bad cholesterol' LDL and increase the serum levels of 'Good cholesterol' HDL. People with known medical conditions may consume this product only after approval from their treating physician.

If you are on medications or on an active treatment plan for managing your cholesterol, speak to your physician before adding on natural cholesterol-lowering agents like Pycnogenol®. The products from the Stuff That Works® range like White Pine® Pycnogenol®, have been carefully curated for use by individuals, and do not need a prescription being food grade products.

These are DIY products that are available over the counter. However, people with known medical conditions may consume this product only after approval from their treating physician.

White Pine® Pycnogenol® is a proprietary product made exclusively from French maritime pine bark extract by Horphag, brought to you in India, exclusively through CHOSEN®, for the goals of pigmentation and photoprotection. Pycnogenol® is suitable for those on a vegan diet.

It is certified gluten-free, GMO-free, vegan, Kosher, and halal. Children under age six should cautiously avoid usage of Pycnogenol®. However, as a general precaution, we recommend it to be consumed only by people of age 15 and above. Pycnogenol® is GRAS generally recognized as safe certified and is considered safe for usage by adults and children above the age of Pycnogenol® can be safely used at doses of up to mg per day, though for skin benefits, the dose is around 25 to mg per day.

The dosage of Pycnogenol® varies according to the condition. You can check out the dosages based on your skin goals here. For more information about the dosage in other conditions, use this leaflet.

Yes, Pycnogenol® is safe for men to use. It had been studied in men in several conditions from cognitive performance to sexual health conditions, and has been found to be very safe and effective. Yes, Pycnogenol® can be taken while you are on your period. Clinical research suggests Pycnogenol® provides significant benefits for women with menstrual discomfort.

You should use Pycnogenol® for at least 28 days to 12 weeks before expecting tangible results. If you are looking at skin hydration benefits, pigmentation conditions like melasma, and internal UV protection, it is ideal to start at a dose of mg per day for three months.

Pycnogenol® is a health supplement for managing oxidation-induced damage, positively impacting multiple organ systems in the body. It is GRAS certified and is considered safe even for long-term usage of up to six years. There will not be any rebound worsening of the skin, as Pycnogenol® does not create any negative impacts on the skin in the first place.

After the first year, we recommend using it intermittently to sustain the results if you are taking it predominantly for antiaging and skin health benefits. You can also switch to low dose maintenance of 25 mg, taken four to five times a week. Pycnogenol® does not accumulate in the body and is metabolized easily.

While there won't be any negative effects from using Pycnogenol®, it is important to realize that, as with all health supplements, the product's benefits would peter out slowly when the consumption is stopped. The current version of White Pine® Pycnogenol® has no added colour compared to the previous versions, which had both flavour and colour.

We recommend taking a break from supplements for a period of 2 weeks from the day of your COVID jab if you have any symptoms post your shot. If you are asymptomatic, you can resume your White Pine® Pycnogenol® from the very next day.

White Pine® Pycnogenol® capsules 25 mg, and 50mg have 25mg and 50mg of Pycnogenol® respectively, to suit different skin conditions. For anti-ageing maintenance, recommended dosage would be 25 mg once daily. However, 50 mg daily is recommended for skin protection, skin repair and for antioxidant benefits.

Please see our post here for detailed instructions on dosage. They form an integral part of the holistic approach for better skin and hair health.

Yes, topical sunscreen application is a must, even if you regularly use White Pine® Pycnogenol®. Yes, Pycnogenol® can be safely used by people of all age groups above It is GRAS certified.

Research suggests that taking Pycnogenol® improves mental function and memory in both young adults and the elderly. It was found to help enhance overall cognitive performance, including daily decision making and stress management for those over age That said, people with known medical conditions may consume this product only after approval from their treating physician.

White Pine Pycnogenol capsules are considered safe for nursing mothers. However, as a measure of caution, we recommend consulting your lactation consultant before adding any supplement to your routine. All products at CHOSEN have been formulated and manufactured in duly approved facilities with good manufacturing practices and are in line with the currently applicable standards.

CHOSEN has earned the trust among users and customers as a strong science-backed solutions provider, and we continue to strengthen our products with evidence-based medical principles. Daily supplementation with Pycnogenol® may help improve endothelial function for those with borderline hypertension.

A Clinical study shows that Pycnogenol® helps normalize blood pressure and reduce oxidative stress levels. Pycnogenol® also has several benefits for heart and artery health. It effectively lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow to the legs.

As this supplement has a beneficial effect on blood pressure levels, people with blood pressure and hypertension may need guidance on dose adjustment from their treating physician.

Evidence suggests that taking mg of Pycnogenol® capsules daily for weeks marginally decreases blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Taking mg of Pycnogenol® daily for four weeks improves circulation and symptoms in people with diabetes. This article suggests that Pycnogenol® aids in normalizing blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates, which results in a reduced glucose load of the bloodstream.

Taking Pycnogenol®, along with diabetes medications, might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Pycnogenol® seems well-tolerated for use in adults for up to 6 years, in doses of mg. It is GRAS certified by the US FDA.

There have been no reports of serious side effects in any clinical study or from the commercial use of Pycnogenol® since it was introduced into the market in Europe around Home White Pine®-Pycnogenol® 50mg MiniPack.

Previous Next. Sold Out. USAGE As directed by the health care practitioner. Get the edge. Make White Pine® Pycnogenol® a part of your diet for healthy and younger looking skin.

Pycnogenol® is extracted from eco responsibly harvested French maritime pine barks. A patented product, with over 40 years of research and research papers, Pycnogenol® is 50 times more potent than vitamin E, and 20 times more potent than vitamin C, when it comes to antiageing and antioxidant activity.

Moisturises the skin. Elevates hyaluronic acid generation in skin. Stimulates synthesis of new collagen in the skin. Increases skin elasticity and reduces skin fatigue. Reduces pigmentation for an even, bright looking skin. Arrests activity of enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.

Acts as internal photo protector.