Herbs & Supplements

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Uses

Preventing and treating a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency is currently the most common use of pine bark extract. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when blood collects in the veins of the legs because valves in the veins that carry blood back to the heart are weak or damaged. Chronic venous insufficiency may cause heavy itchy, painful, or tired feelings in the legs. Results that are more serious can include varicose veins, swelling, leg sores, or blood clots in the legs.

Pine bark extract helps to control chronic venous insufficiency in several ways. First, chemicals called proanthocyanidins (or polyphenols) in pine bark extract help keep veins and other blood vessels from leaking. In addition, pine bark extract has anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is often a response to irritation, injury, or infection and it usually includes pain, redness, and swelling in the area of the damage. Inflammation, which can occur within body tissues as well as on the surface of the skin, contributes to chronic venous insufficiency. In addition, pine bark extract may also reduce the stickiness of blood components called platelets. Created in the bone marrow, platelets circulate in the blood. In a process called "platelet aggregation", they stick to injured tissue, beginning the blood clotting process and promoting wound healing. Pine bark extract's potential reduction in platelet aggregation may help to keep blood flowing and reduce the possibility of clots in blood vessels.

Because it strengthens the walls of all blood vessels, pine bark extract may also be effective for slowing retinopathy, which is the gradual break down of the retina in the eyes. Individuals with arteriosclerosis (a build up of fatty deposits in the arteries), diabetes, or other conditions that increase the likelihood for damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes are more likely to have serious vision problems as a result of blood vessel damage.

Pine bark extract also has antioxidant activity. Therefore, taking it helps to limit free radicals?potentially harmful chemicals that are produced during the breakdown of foods in the body. Since exercise can also produce free radicals, some athletes use pine bark extract with the hope of improving their exercise performance. Similarly, some men use pine bark extract because its antioxidant effects are thought to boost fertility by increasing sperm quality and movement. Because pine bark extract may increase the body's production of nitric oxide, a chemical involved in male sexual response, it may also be useful in treating erectile dysfunction.

Limited evidence appears to show that chemicals in pine bark extract could be helpful for other chronic conditions. However, no definitive results prove that pine bark extract is effective for treating any of them.

• In a small study of individuals with no known medical problems, taking pine bark extract for 12 weeks generally resulted in lower blood pressure and thinner blood.
• Two studies have found that blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol were lowered moderately among individuals who took pine bark extract.
• Other studies have shown that pine bark extract may be somewhat effective at relieving abdominal pain for women with endometriosis.
• Results from small studies of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) found that pine bark extract generally improved concentration and reduced restless behavior after as little as one month of treatment.
• One small pilot study of individuals with migraine headaches showed that taking a combination product containing pine bark extract, vitamin C, and vitamin E for three months helped to reduce the number and intensity of migraines.
• In studies of animals with artificially induced diabetes, injected pine bark extract produced significant reductions in blood sugar levels. Case reports and a few small studies of humans have also shown slight antidiabetic effects from oral pine bark extract.
• Other animal studies found that pine bark extract may enhance immune function.
• Very early results of other laboratory studies appear to show that pine bark extract may prevent the accumulation of proteins similar to those associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Oral and topical pine bark extract may help to even out the tone of skin that has been darkened by various pigmentation disorders such as melasma. In China, a prescription product containing pine bark extract has been approved for treating skin pigmentation conditions. In the United States, pine bark extract is included in a number of non-prescription face creams that claim to fight aging or restore wrinkled skin, but these claims are not documented by scientific research. Pine bark extract is also being investigated to determine if it can help prevent sunburn and skin damage from sun exposure.