Wise Mind Herbs

The information on this page has been prepared with reference to published scientific literature, not by a medically qualified expert. It is not medical advice. Any decision to use a supplement or herb-based product is your responsibility. Consult a suitably qualified medical professional, especially if you have underlying conditions. Remember, nothing is for everyone, and not everything sold is what it claims to be. Some things work for some people, some of the time.

Pine - Pinus sp.

When discussing pine in medicinal contexts, it's crucial to specify which species and plant parts we're referring to. The genus Pinus comprises approximately 120 species of coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae. Most research focuses on Pinus pinaster (maritime pine), Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine), Pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine), and a few other species. Different parts utilized include bark, needles, cones, resin, and pollen.

Common and Botanical Names

The genus Pinus includes many species used medicinally, with distinct chemical compositions and properties:

• Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) - source of Pycnogenol
• Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) - commonly used in European traditional medicine
• Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) - used in East Asian medicine
• Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) - used by Indigenous North American peoples
• Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) - source of pine nut oil with health benefits

Note that some products marketed as "pine" may actually contain spruce (Picea species), fir (Abies species), or cedar (various genera), which have different chemical compositions and potential health effects.

Conditions with Scientific Evidence for Benefit

• Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Maritime pine bark extract has shown significant efficacy
• Asthma and Allergic Conditions: Moderate evidence for anti-inflammatory effects
• Cardiovascular Health: Improvements in endothelial function and blood pressure
• Metabolic Syndrome: Modest benefits for blood glucose and lipid profiles
• Erectile Dysfunction: Limited but positive evidence for maritime pine bark extract
• Cognitive Function: Emerging evidence for attention and memory improvement
• Skin Health: Anti-aging effects and protection against UV damage

Active Compounds

The therapeutic effects of pine are attributed to several classes of compounds:

• Proanthocyanidins (particularly in bark)
• Phenolic compounds including catechins
• Terpenoids (in resin and needles)
• Lignans
• Essential oils (primarily α-pinene and β-pinene)

Recommended Dosages

Dosages vary by preparation type and desired effect:

• Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol): 50-200 mg daily, standardized to 65-75% procyanidins
• Pine Needle Tea: No standardized dosage; typically 1-2 teaspoons of dried needles per cup
• Pine Essential Oil: For aromatherapy only, not for internal use
• Pine Pollen: 500-1500 mg daily

Most clinical studies have been conducted with standardized extracts rather than whole plant materials, making dosage recommendations for traditional preparations difficult to establish with certainty.

Side Effects and Disbenefits

Generally considered safe when used appropriately, but potential adverse effects include:

• Gastric irritation, particularly with high doses of extracts
• Allergic reactions, especially in individuals with conifer allergies
• Mild headaches reported in some studies
• Potential anticoagulant effects - caution with blood-thinning medications
• Hormone-modulating effects of pine pollen may interact with hormone therapies

High-Dose Studies and Knowledge Gaps

Studies examining doses above the recommended therapeutic range are limited. Doses up to 450mg Pycnogenol daily have been well tolerated in short-term studies without serious adverse effects, but long-term safety data at these doses remains insufficient. Notably, there is a knowledge gap regarding dose-response relationships for most pine-derived products. Additionally, the majority of high-quality clinical trials have focused on standardized extracts (particularly maritime pine bark), leaving substantial knowledge gaps regarding other pine species and preparation methods.

Commercial Pharmaceutical Products

• Pycnogenol®: Patented extract of Pinus pinaster bark, manufactured by Horphag Research, used for chronic venous insufficiency, cardiovascular health, and skin health
• Oligopin®: French maritime pine bark extract used in various formulations
• Masquelier's® Original OPCs: Contains pine bark extract among other ingredients

While numerous supplements contain pine derivatives, few meet the definition of pharmaceutical products with regulatory approval for specific medical indications. Most are marketed as dietary supplements rather than medications.

References

Dziedziński, M., Kobus-Cisowska, J., & Stachowiak, B. (2021). Pinus species as prospective reserves of bioactive compounds with potential use in functional food—Current state of knowledge. Plants, 10(7), 1306.

Kim, E. J., Jung, S. W., Choi, K. P., Ham, S. S., & Gang, H. Y. (1998). Cytotoxic effect of the pine needle extracts. Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology, 30(1), 213-217.

Li, Y. Y., Feng, J., Zhang, X. L., & Cui, Y. Y. (2015). Pine bark extracts: nutraceutical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluation. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, 353(1), 9-16.

Liang, Z., Yan, J., Zhao, S., He, L., Zhao, X., Cai, L., ... & Wang, F. (2025). Efficient Extraction, Chemical Characterization, and Bioactivity of Essential Oil From Pine Needles. Phytochemical Analysis.

Norouzy, A., & Malekahmadi, M. (2023). French maritime pine bark extract and neurological disorders. In Treatments, nutraceuticals, supplements, and herbal medicine in neurological disorders (pp. 181-192). Academic Press.

Puente-Villegas, S. M., Ticona, L. A., Sánchez, Á. R., & Acebes, J. L. (2024). Diterpenes of Pinus pinaster aiton with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial activities. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 318, 117021. Qiu, B., Wei, F., Su, J., Hao, W., Zhou, J., Zhao, J., Wang, Y. and Qu, Z., 2022. The effects of β-Pinene, a pine needle oil monoterpene, on adenovirus type 3. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, pp.1-7.

Rohdewald, P. (2019). Pleiotropic effects of French maritime pine bark extract to promote healthy aging. Rejuvenation Research, 22(3), 210-217.

Weichmann, F., & Rohdewald, P. (2024). Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical studies. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1389374.