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6+ reasons pine bark extract could replace aspirin
Five hundred years ago, French explorer Jacques Cartier and his crew became stranded along the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Canada…
Winter had set in, their ships could not sail, and supplies were dwindling fast. Many died of scurvy.
The Iroquoians living in the area taught the explorers to make tea from the bark and needles of pine trees. By drinking the tea several times a day, those that survived were unknowingly ingesting an antioxidant that boosted absorption of what little vitamin C they were getting. For most it was enough to recover from scurvy.
About four hundred years later, in 1947, French scientist Jack Masquelier discovered that pine bark also contained large amounts of a polyphenol similar to that found in grape skins.
Polyphenols are the natural antioxidants found in red wine and dark chocolate. Their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects are well known.
Masquelier trademarked the extract he derived from pine bark with the name pycnogenol. Today, it may be called by that name, or simply pine bark extract. Either way, research has continued into the remarkable health benefits of this natural substance.
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An aspirin alternative without risks
For almost fifty years, doctors have been recommending a daily low-level dose of aspirin to help prevent heart attack and stroke, but recently experts have starting asking is an aspirin a day worth the risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding.
That’s where pine bark extract can help. A study in the journal Thrombosis Research showed that it took a far larger dosage of aspirin (500 mg) than of pine bark extract (150-200 mg) to reduce platelet aggregation induced by smoking. (When blood platelets aggregate, they stick together and increase the chance of blockages that lead to stroke and heart attack).
What’s more, pine bark extract did not cause stomach bleeding.
6 other benefits of pine bark extract
Amazingly, pine bark extract has a range of other proven health benefits. It’s reported to help:
1. Ease osteoarthritis symptoms. Research published in 2008 the Journal of Phytotherpy Research indicated that daily supplementation with the extract reduces overall knee osteoarthritis symptoms. The extract appears to stimulate new production of hyaluronic acid and collagen in joints naturally, improving joint comfort
2. Lower glucose levels. In a 2004 study, 77 patients with type 2 diabetes were given 100 mg of Pycnogenol for 12 weeks. Not only were glucose levels lowered in comparison to a placebo group, but endothelial function, the flexibility of blood vessel linings, was improved.
3. Prevent infection. The proanthocyanidins that are abundant in pine bark extract are also found in foods like hazelnuts, grapes, apples, blueberries and pistachios. These powerful antioxidants have cancer-fighting properties and are good for the prostate and bladder.
A 2016 study found that pine bark extract is effective in killing pseudomonas, a very common bacteria that causes a range of infections, including infections of the ear, skin, eye and lungs. Pseudomonas also causes urinary tract and blood infections.
4. Decrease erectile dysfunction. A recent Japanese study found that a combination of Pycnogenol and l-arginine increased sperm concentration and improved orgasmic function within 16 weeks of treatment, with no side effects.
5. Reduce inflammation. In one study, rats that had undergone abdominal surgery were given Pycnogenol for ten days, and showed significant healing compared to rats given neither pycnogenol nor other medications.
6. Control hemorrhoids. Pycnogenol has been found effective in controlling the bleeding associated with hemorrhoidal episodes, when used both topically and orally.
How to use pine bark extract
Pine bark extract can be found in liquid, tablet or capsule form. It’s typically a good idea to follow dosage recommendations of reliable supplement manufacturers and talking to an herbalist would be helpful.
As with most natural supplements, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before using Pycnogenol, particularly if you are taking blood thinners or other medications. It may not be recommended if you have diabetes or autoimmune conditions.
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Sources:
- Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II — Life Sciences
- Anti-pseudomonas activity of essential oil, total extract, and proanthocyanidins of Pinus eldarica Medw. bark — Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Improvement of seminal quality and sexual function of men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia syndrome following supplementation with L-arginine and Pycnogenol® — Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia
- Pycnogenol prevents peritoneal adhesions — Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Pycnogenol treatment of acute hemorrhoidal episodes — Phytotherapy Research
- Mechanism for Pycnogenol Pine-Bark Extract in Alleviating Osteoarthritis Symptoms Explored in New Study — Nutritional Outlook
By Joyce Hollman
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