Pine bark extract 95% | Pinus pinaster

Properties: Pine is one of the few trees widely applied as a raw herbal material. Since centuries it has been used to prepare potions that improved stamina and helped to fight away infections. However, it has turned out that it is not the leaves that have these properties, but the bark of the tree. It may seem that the bark is nothing but a thick, rough tree part that protects its trunk and branches. Surprisingly, it has multiple applications in herbalism. Pine bark hosts many substances, including micro- and macroelements essential for optimal health of the organism. On top of that, it has an influence on various systems of the body. 

Its properties are highly appreciated among men. This is because pine bark, just like pine pollen (also used in natural medicine), has a positive impact on the male sexual functions. The bark increases libido and therefore the production of testosterone. Its active compounds accelerate erection too. All these features, unsurprisingly, increase the comfort of sexual activities. 

What is more, the supplementation of pine bark extract does not only enhance the sexual performance, but also more general physical strength of the organism. It is proven that pine bark effectively improves stamina. This is due to its positive impact on cellular metabolism, which allows the training to last longer and be more effective. Pine bark also increases the blood flow throughout the organism, therefore ensuring that tired muscles will receive an extra amount of oxygen. Therefore, it is often supplemented by sportsmen who frequently face challenging workouts and require quicker regeneration. 

That is not all! Pine bark can be used to support the weight loss process. How is that possible? Simply put, pine bark keeps the blood sugar at an optimal level. This is extremely important, because sudden swings of its level are the main cause of eating disorders and make losing weight harder. Additionally, pine bark contains substances that accelerate fat burning. It also lowers the blood cholesterol level, which not only improves the fat metabolism, but foremostly the cardiovascular system. Therefore, pine bark has a comprehensive effect that facilitates weight reduction. For this reason it is often an ingredient of supplements used as diet support.  

Pine bark and pine pollen have a wide range of healthy properties. Although some of these properties are similar, it makes sense to test both products, as their mode of operation and specific features differ. It is also important to keep in mind that they come from two different pine species, none of them found in Poland. We have prepared these raw materials especially for you, so that you can take advantage of the hidden pine benefits.

Occurrence: Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is a tree species from the pine family (Pinaceae). Naturally, it grows in the Mediterranean Basin, most often at heights up to 600 meters over the sea level. It is a medium-sized tree reaching between 20-35 meters in height that grows remarkably fast. This pine is often planted under afforestation programs, because it tolerates drought and poor soil well. It has distinctive bark – orange-red, thick, and deeply rugged at the trunk base. This bark is the source of the extract known on the market under the trademark Pycnogenol™.

Many cultures used potions or extracts obtained from pine bark and pine needles in folk medicine. Mostly, they were applied to support the organism during infections, but also to strengthen its vitality. The traveler Jacques Cartier and his crew found out about the health benefits of pine infusions. During an unplanned stay in the Bay of St. Lawrence in 1534, the crew began to contract scurvy. Following the advice of the local population, the sick were given tea made of needles and pine bark. In his diaries, Jacques Cartier described the healing power of this infusion. Almost 500 years later these notes were discovered by Dr. Masquelier, who became interested in the healing powers of pines. Eventually, he isolated a diverse mixture of bioflavonoids that he called “pycnogenol”.

Biochemistry: The substances to which the maritime pine bark extract owes its properties are primarily procyanidins. In chemical classification they are flavonoids. They constitute 65-75% of the bark extract and form oligomeric compounds – Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), a combination of about 40 different bioflavonoids. OPC is mainly the association of catechins, epicatechins and their esters with gallic acid. These components work together, although each of them has a slightly different task and properties. Apart from them, the bark extract also contains: tannins and stilbenes (including resveratrol, alpha-viniferin) as well as micro- and macroelements (calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper).

Fun fact: Resin is also obtained from coastal pine (Pinus pinaster), which, in turn, is a source of turpentine and rosin. Turpentine is a fluid, whereas rosin is a soft resin, obtained after distillation of turpentine. Turpentine used to be a popular medicine among seamen. It was one of the products carried on board the Spanish fleet “Armada de Molucca”, which was led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1519. Rosin on the other hand is commonly found in the world of art. The musicians rub it on the strings to increase the roughness of the bristles and thus the adhesion to the strings. Ballerinas also rub their ballet shoes with rosin to obtain better adhesion of the footwear to the ground.