Full profile
| Also known as | Pycnogenol (branded), Pine bark extract |
|---|---|
| Best for | Circulation support · Antioxidant support |
| Evidence grade | Grade C — Limited — early or small human trials |
| Studied dose range | 50–150 mg daily of a standardized extract in many studies. |
| Time to effect | Generally studied over weeks of daily use. |
| Best form | Extract standardized to procyanidin content. |
Evidence, honestly graded
Human trials exist, several using a specific branded extract, so results do not automatically generalize to all pine bark products.
See the full grading rubric — study type, replication, population match, and dose adequacy — in The Evidence Standard.
Side effects
- Generally well tolerated
- Occasional GI upset or dizziness
Who should avoid it or check first
- On blood-thinning or immune-modulating medication without review
- Pregnant or breastfeeding without guidance
Interactions
- May interact with blood thinners and immune-modulating drugs — discuss with a clinician
Stacks well with
- Anthocyanins
What to look for on a label
- Check the procyanidin standardization.
- Branded-extract study results may not apply to generic pine bark.
References
- Pine bark circulation trials. Human studies, several branded-extract specific.
Primary citations for some entries above are still being compiled; those without a linked identifier are editorial summaries of the wider literature.
Grades and studied doses are our conservative reading of the human research, shown for education. They are not product claims, and a studied dose is not a recommended dose.
See how Maritime Pine Bark compares on grade, dose, and goal in the Evidence Explorer.
