← The ApothecaryPinaceaeouter bark (standardised extract)Fact-checked 24 October 2026

Maritime pine

Pinus pinaster

Also calledFrench maritime pine · Pin maritime (French) · Pycnogenol (trade name of a bark extract)

The bark of the French maritime pine yields a standardised procyanidin extract sold as Pycnogenol. It has been tested in dozens of small trials for venous insufficiency, blood pressure, joint pain and more. A 2020 Cochrane review found the evidence too weak to draw firm conclusions for any condition.

What it is used for

Circulation and varicose veins
Limited
In chronic venous insufficiency, Cochrane found two small trials (60 people); one showed less leg pain, but the certainty was very low. A 2014 narrative review reports less leg swelling, fewer clots on long-haul flights and faster healing of venous ulcers.^1,2,4
High blood pressure
Limited
A meta-analysis of nine trials (549 people, 150–200 mg/day) found blood pressure about 3 mmHg lower, but not in the well-designed trials; MSK notes another meta-analysis found no benefit.^2,5
Arthritis and joint pain
Limited
Three small knee-osteoarthritis trials (293 people) reported lower symptom scores and less NSAID use, with very low certainty; MSK cites a meta-analysis that recommended against it for musculoskeletal pain.^1,2
Sexual function and libido
Limited
Combined with L-arginine, it improved erectile function scores in small trials; Cochrane rated the evidence very low certainty.^1,2
Period pain
Limited
MSK lists preliminary data suggesting it may reduce period pain and menopausal symptoms.²

How it is prepared

dry extract / capsule

Tablets or capsules of the standardised bark extract.

Blood-pressure trials in a 2018 meta-analysis used 150–200 mg daily.

High blood pressure

Amounts are as recorded by the named source, not a recommendation.

Safety

Pregnancy: Insufficient data
Breastfeeding: Insufficient data

Interactions with medicines

anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugsModerateMSK: the extract can inhibit platelet aggregation and may increase bleeding risk.

Interaction checker →

Do not use if

Hypersensitivity to pine bark

Side effects

Irritability and lower energy (MSK)
Most trials did not report serious adverse events (Cochrane)

In the healing traditions

Modern pharmacology
Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract)
A proprietary extract of the bark of P. pinaster subsp. atlantica, standardised to 65–75% procyanidins and meeting the USP dietary-supplement monograph 'Pine extract'. Studied for venous disorders, cardiovascular risk, cognition, joints, skin and ADHD.

Active compounds

procyanidins: oligomers and polymers of catechin and epicatechin, 65–75% of the standardised extract; broken down by gut bacteria into absorbable metabolites
taxifolin, catechin, caffeic and ferulic acids: small constituents absorbed from the small intestine
5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone: gut-microbial metabolite found in blood and joint fluid after intake

History

Pycnogenol is a proprietary extract of the outer bark of the French maritime pine, P. pinaster subsp. atlantica, and has been the subject of more than 100 research trials. The first Cochrane review (2012) covered 15 trials and judged the evidence insufficient for any chronic disorder; the 2020 update, with 27 trials, reached the same conclusion.

Sources

Reference, not prescription. Nothing here is medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and be dangerous in pregnancy; tell your doctor or pharmacist about anything you take.