Pycnogenol: Benefits and Safety

An antioxidant supplement studied for its effects on inflammation and disease prevention.

Medically reviewed by Allison Herries, RDN

Pycnogenol is an antioxidant derived from French maritime pine (Pinus maritima) tree bark.

It's been studied for conditions as varied as heart disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, data on its efficacy and safety are limited.

This article discusses pycnogenol's evidence-based benefits and risks, including drug interactions and precautions to consider before adding this supplement to your medicine cabinet.

Pycnogenol Supplement Facts

• Active Ingredient(s): Flavonoids like proanthocyanidins, polyphenols caffeic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, epicatechin, and taxifolin

• Alternate Names: French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), picnogenol, Pinus maritima extract

• Legal Status: Over-the-counter (OTC) dietary supplement (United States)

• Suggested Dose: May vary based on condition and dosage form. Doses used in clinical trials range from 50 to 150 milligrams (mg) daily.

• Safety Considerations: Pycnogenol is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy or during breastfeeding. It's also not recommended for children less than 6 years old. Pycnogenol may interact with prescription medications, herbs, and supplements for cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, and inflammation.

What Is Pycnogenol?

Pycnogenol is an herbal extract made from the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). French maritime pine is native to the western Mediterranean.

Procyanidin is the primary active ingredient in the commercial product pycnogenol. Procyanidin is a potent antioxidant found in dietary sources like the following:

• Cocoa beans

• Cinnamon

• Red wine

Procyanidin limits the amount of free radicals in the body and helps to prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is associated with inflammation and cancer.

Uses

Explainer

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Pycnogenol has been studied for many conditions, including the following:

• ADHD

• Allergic rhinitis

• Aging skin

• Blood pressure

• Cardiometabolic health

• Cognition

• Edema

• Exercise performance

• Inflammation (traumatic brain injury)

• Melasma

• Osteoarthritis (OA)

• Sexual dysfunction

• Varicose veins

• Venous ulcers

There is not enough research to support using pycnogenol for these conditions. Clinical trials are few and far between, and many have used only small sample sizes.

Some data suggest that pycnogenol may lower the risk of heart disease or help with osteoarthritis symptoms. Here's a closer look at the evidence for these uses.

Disease Prevention

Pycnogenol has shown benefits in preventing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. These conditions are called cardiometabolic diseases, the biggest cause of death worldwide.

A review of 24 trials showed that pycnogenol reduced the following:

• Fasting blood sugar

• Hemoglobin A1C (a marker of blood sugar control over time)

These modifications may decrease the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

Pycnogenol also decreased the following:

• Blood pressure

• Body mass index

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered "bad" cholesterol)

And it increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (considered "good" cholesterol). These changes may help prevent heart disease.

Keep in mind, though, that researchers don't know much about the long-term effects of pycnogenol. More, robust clinical trials are needed to determine the best dose and how long to take the supplement.

Osteoarthritis

Pycnogenol reduced osteoarthritis (OA) pain in the short term (less than three months), according to a systematic review (a collection of studies). It also helped lower the doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken by people with OA.

Reviewers noted that the data was low-quality, so larger clinical trials are needed to verify this effect.

Dosage

Dosing of pycnogenol may vary depending on what it's being used for and who is using it.

Doses used in clinical trials include:

• 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight (1 mg/kg) for ADHD

• 100 mg daily for skin health

• 150 mg daily for metabolic syndrome

• 50 mg daily for erectile dysfunction

• 75 mg twice daily for melasma (a skin condition)

Your healthcare provider can help you determine an optimal dose.

Safety

Take precautions when using pycnogenol, including:

• Avoid pycnogenol if you're allergic to it, maritime pine, or its components (parts).

• Seek immediate medical attention if you have a severe allergic reaction (itching, hives, shortness of breath).

Side Effects

Your healthcare provider may suggest taking pycnogenol for OA or another condition. However, consuming a product like pycnogenol may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common and mild or uncommon and severe.

According to one trial, pycnogenol has a very low rate of side effects, less than 2%. Side effects may include the following:

• Stomach pain, which can be minimized by taking it with food

• Increased heart rate

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Nausea

If you experience these or other side effects that don't resolve on their own, contact your healthcare provider.

Remember that most clinical trials have only studied pycnogenol for up to three months. Little is known about the effects of long-term use.

Interactions

Little is known about pycnogenol's interactions with prescription medicines or other herbal supplements.

Some possible drug interactions include the following:

• Blood pressure medications: Because pycnogenol can lower blood pressure, taking it with blood pressure drugs could cause hypotension (low blood pressure).

• Diabetes medications: Since pycnogenol can lower blood sugar, taking taking it when you also take diabetes medications could cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

• NSAIDs: In nonhuman studies, pycnogenol enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects of the NSAID indomethacin while protecting against gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. However, the effects in humans are unknown.

• Cancer medications: Pycnogenol has increased the cancer-killing effects of chemotherapy medicines like cisplatin. Discuss the use of any herbs and supplements with your healthcare provider, as herbs and supplements may interact with your current treatment.

• Tylenol (acetaminophen): According to one animal study, pycnogenol may counteract the liver damage associated with high acetaminophen levels. However, the effects in humans are unknown.

Precautions

Do keep the following precautions in mind when using pycnogenol:

• Severe allergic reaction: Avoid using pycnogenol if you have a known allergy to it, maritime pine, or its ingredients. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for a complete list of the ingredients if you're unsure.
  Pregnancy: Pycnogenol is possibly safe during pregnancy but shouldn't be used during the first trimester. As a best practice, consult your healthcare provider before starting this or other herbal supplements if you are pregnant.

• Breastfeeding: Pycnogenol hasn't been proven safe during breastfeeding, though it has been studied in some postpartum females. Until more is known, it's not recommended.

• Children: Pycnogenol is considered safe for children over 6 years old due to a low risk of side effects. It is not recommended for children under age 6. Be sure to discuss it with your child's pediatrician if you decide to try it.

Explainer

Dietary supplements are not regulated like prescription medications in the United States. Therefore, some may be safer than others. When choosing a supplement, consider factors such as third-party testing, potential drug interactions, and other safety concerns. Talk to a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN) about supplement quality and safety.

Summary

Pycnogenol is an antioxidant-rich herbal supplement made from pine bark. It may be helpful for people with OA and could help lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Clinical trials using pycnogenol are very limited, though. Stronger data are needed before it can be recommended for most conditions.

Pycnogenol has not been proven safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for children under 6. It also may interact with blood pressure and diabetes medicines, NSAIDs, and some cancer medicines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pycnogenol used for?

Pycnogenol has been studied for many conditions, from asthma to traumatic brain injury (TBI), but there's not much evidence it works. Some reviews suggest it reduced osteoarthritis pain or prevented heart disease or diabetes, but more clinical trials are needed.

Does pycnogenol cause hair loss?

Probably not. In fact, a small study of postmenopausal females showed that pycnogenol promoted hair growth. It increased hair density by 30% after two months.

What are pycnogenol's effects on the skin?

In small clinical trials, pycnogenol has been shown to protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays, improve skin elasticity, and reduce melasma (overpigmentation of the skin).

Can pycnogenol help erectile dysfunction?

Possibly, but the evidence is lacking.

Small studies suggest it may be helpful in males with erectile dysfunction who also take antidepressants or have diabetes.

A review of clinical trials determined that there isn't enough evidence to know whether pycnogenol improves erectile function or other aspects of sexual health.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.