Dietary supplements can go through fads. One year, there is a lot of enthusiasm for the supplement du jour. The next year, you hear nothing about it. Part of that is driven by the research–or lack thereof, more often. More than 15 years ago, we started hearing about the wonders of French maritime pine bark extract. And then, we heard very little. Is there anything to the Pycnogenol hype?
Pycnogenol Hype for Hot Flashes:
The first research that we noticed regarding Pycnogenol documented fewer hot flashes among menopausal women taking the supplement. Here’s a question we answered at that time:
Q. I have to admit I was skeptical about Pycnogenol, but after about only four days of use, my severe hot flashes have completely disappeared. I take 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening.
Before starting Pycnogenol, I used to have a couple of hot flashes every hour around the clock. Since I have started taking Pycnogenol, I haven’t had ONE. It feels like a miracle!
A. We have seen just one controlled study of this French pine bark extract for hot flashes (Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. Aug, 2007). It looks promising, and we are pleased it helped you. Pycnogenol can be found on the Web or in health food stores.
Since 2007, there have been just a few more randomized controlled trials of Pycnogenol for menopausal symptoms. A Japanese study found that it significantly reduced hot flashes and helped insomnia (Journal of Reproductive Medicine, Jan-Feb. 2013).
Could Pycnogenol Help Arthritis?
Q. I read that Pycnogenol might be a potential remedy for thinning hair. Although I tried it for several weeks, I didn’t notice any results.
Then, after I doubled the dose to 200 mg/day, I noticed that my intermittent hip pain stopped bothering me. I’ve had arthritis in my hip for several years. Before I started taking Pycnogenol, the occasional flare ups would often linger for many days. Now, on the other hand, they happen very seldom, and the pain does not last. Is this a coincidence or can this supplement really help?
A. We could only find one study suggesting that Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) might reduce hair loss during menopause (Health Science Reports, Jan. 6, 2023). Consequently, the benefits for hair might just be part of Pycnogenol hype.
Pycnogenol Can Ease Joint Pain:
More research supports the use of this natural product for joint pain. It has anti-inflammatory effects and may increase joint flexibility (Frontiers in Nutrition, May 2, 2024).
For example, one small study reported that
“supplementation with Pycnogenol® was well tolerated and effectively controlled pain while improving grip strength in patients with hand osteoarthritis” (Minerva Surgery, Oct. 2024).
Earlier Research Contributing to Pycnogenol Hype:
Q. I have read in your column that Pycnogenol may be helpful for hot flashes. Now a major warehouse club is selling it as a powerful antioxidant that is supposed to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, osteoarthritis, skin care, asthma and allergy relief and diabetes. Has any of this been proven? Are there any health risks associated with its use? I love your columns and cut them out weekly to give to friends, family and co-workers.
A. To our surprise, studies suggest that Pycnogenol, extracted from French maritime pine bark, could be better than placebo in making blood vessels more flexible (Hypertension Research, Sept. 2007), improving blood sugar control and reducing cardiovascular risk factors (Nutrition Research, May 2008) and reducing knee pain from osteoarthritis (Phytotherapy Research, August 2008).
On the other hand, a thorough unbiased review concluded:
“Current evidence is insufficient to support Pycnogenol(®) use for the treatment of any chronic disorder. Well-designed, adequately powered trials are needed to establish the value of this treatment.” (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Feb. 15, 2012).
Any uses it may have for skin care or asthma and allergy relief still seem fairly speculative. Side effects are uncommon, but it may interact with important immune-suppressant drugs such as cyclosporine, CellCept, tacrolimus, sirolimus or prednisone.
Learn More:
You can learn more about Pycnogenol and other natural approaches to managing joint pain from our eGuide to Alternatives for Arthritis.
