Pycnogenol

    Written by:
    Katie Jantz

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    by:

    Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: March 13, 2024

    Pycnogenol is a standardized extract of bark from the French maritime pine Pinus pinaster that provides a concentrated source of polyphenols, predominantly procyanidins. Pycnogenol may reduce symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and osteoarthritis thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasoactive properties; however, the evidence is relatively weak.

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Most research on French maritime pine extract has used pycnogenol, as opposed to the other standardized extracts, oligopin and flavangenol. These extracts have slightly different chemical compositions, due to different extraction techniques, and there currently isn’t enough evidence to know whether oligopin and flavangenol work the same as pycnogenol.

    Pycnogenol is available as capsules or loose powder and is usually given at a dosage of 100 to 200 mg daily, split into two or three doses (e.g., 100 mg twice daily, 50 mg three times daily). Taking pycnogenol with food may reduce gastrointestinal side effects.[1]

    Pycnogenol is also available in topical formulations. For healing ulcers associated with chronic vascular insufficiency or diabetes, combining oral and topical pycnogenol appears to be more effective than oral pycnogenol alone.[2][3]

    Frequently asked questions

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