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Although they are a bit different, the terms pycnogenol and pine bark extract are often used interchangeably.
Pycnogenol is a brand name for a type of pine bark extract. It’s commonly used in nutritional supplements and health products.
In order to help you find a good product, we’ve researched & narrowed down the best pine bark extract supplements on the market right now.
Top 10 Pine Bark Extract Products Compared
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1. Now Foods Pine Bark Extract
Now Foods Pine Bark Extract comes from the inner bark of Chinese red pine. It is fortified with green tea extract to boost antioxidant content.
Specs
- 240mg pine tree extract
- 100mg green tea extract
- 90% proanthocyanidins
- Amazon’s choice
- Inexpensive
- 90 pills per bottle
- Serving size one capsule
- Vegetarian capsules
Who Makes It?
NOW Foods is a leader in the natural supplement industry and has been in business since its founding 50 years ago. Their facilities are Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified, and they test their ingredients for quality assurance.
Bottom Line
This is a good pine tree extract supplement at an affordable price. It is manufactured by a reliable brand with a long history in the industry.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
2. BulkSupplements Pure Pine Bark Extract Powder
BulkSupplements Pure Pine Bark Extract Powder is a pure pine bark extract powder that can be purchased at a wholesale price. It is lab tested for guaranteed purity and potency.
Specs
- 250mg pine bark extract powder per serving
- More than 95% proanthocyanidins
- 400 servings per container
- Hundreds of good customer reviews
- Inexpensive
- Long-lasting
Who Makes It?
BulkSupplements is a wholesale distributor of supplement ingredients and products. They sell to both consumers, and supplement manufacturing brands.
Bottom Line
This a top pine bark supplement with a high concentration of polyphenols, more than 900 customer reviews and an excellent customer rating on Amazon.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
3. Absorb Health Pine Bark Extract
Absorb Pine Bark Extract is a basic pine bark extract pill at an affordable price. It uses a standard pine bark extract dosage and customers give it good reviews.
Specs
- 200mg pine bark extract
- 95% proanthocyanidins
- 100 capsules per bottle
- Serving size one capsule
- Inexpensive
- Good reviews
Who Makes It?
Absorb Health is a newer natural supplement brand on the scene but has managed to build a good reputation quickly. The brand focuses on providing natural products at affordable prices.
Bottom Line
This basic supplement provides a great value at a good price. With good customer reviews and a simple serving size of one capsule, this product deserves its spot on the top pine bark extract supplements list.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
4. Source Naturals Pine Bark Extract
Source Naturals Pine Bark Extract is a Masson pine bark extract fortified with calcium. It is in tablet form and sold at an affordable price.
Specs
- 300mg Masson pine bark extract
- 83mg calcium
- 95% proanthocyanidins
- 60 tablets per bottle
- Affordable
- Hypoallergenic
Who Makes It?
Source Naturals is a nutraceutical brand specializing in blending herbs, vitamins and minerals to formulate unique health products.
Bottom Line
This blend of pine bark extract and calcium is hypoallergenic and sold at an affordable price by a reliable company.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
5. Vitacost Pine Bark Extract
Vitacost Pine Bark Extract is a basic pine bark extract supplement available at a decent price.
Specs
- 100mg pine bark extract
- 200 capsules per bottle
- Affordable
- Free from most allergens
Who Makes It?
Vitacost is a wholesale and discount distributor of vitamins, minerals, and supplements.
Bottom Line
Very similar to other simple products on the list, Vitacost Pine Bark Extract offers a good value. It is not as competitively priced as some other inexpensive products, however.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
6. Swanson Superior Herbs Pine Bark Extract
Swanson Superior Herbs Pine Bark Extract is a pure pine bark extract supplement standardized to contain 95% proanthocyanidins. It is one of the least expensive available.
Specs
- 50mg pine bark extract
- 95% proanthocyanidins
- 100 capsules per bottle
- Inexpensive
Who Makes It?
Swanson Superior Herbs is a natural supplement brand specializing in herbal products at affordable prices.
Bottom Line
This is a basic pine bark extract supplement, and it is the least expensive on this list. However, it has a lower pine bark extract dosage.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
7. Natrol Pycnogenol
Natrol Pycnogenol is a Pycnogenol pill fortified with additional proanthocyanidins, making it packed full of antioxidants.
Specs
- 50mg Pycnogenol
- 30mg proanthocyanidins
- 65-75% procyanidins
- 60 capsules per bottle
- Amazon’s Choice
- Great customer reviews
Who Makes It?
Natrol is a vitamin and supplement producer and supplier that was founded over 35 years ago.
Bottom Line
This is one of the few Pycnogenol-based pine bark extract supplements on the list. As most Pycnogenol supplements are, this is high quality, but more expensive.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
8. Planetary Herbals FS Pine Bark Extract
Planetary Herbals FS Pine Bark Extract Tablets is a Masson pine bark extract fortified with calcium.
Specs
- 300mg Masson pine bark extract
- 83mg calcium
- 60 tablets per bottle
Who Makes It?
Planetary Herbals is a herbal supplement company that specializes in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional herbal medicine.
Bottom Line
This calcium-fortified pine bark extract supplement offers the same dosages as Source Naturals Pine Bark Extract for a slightly higher price.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
9. Best Naturals Pine Bark Extract Powder
Best Naturals Pine Bark Extract Powder is a powdered pine bark extract supplement sold in a large quantity.
Specs
- 250mg pine bark extract
- 95% proanthocyanidins
- 454 servings per container
- Inexpensive
Who Makes It?
Best Naturals is a New Jersey-based supplement company that is Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified.
Bottom Line
This product has the most servings per container out of all the supplements on this list. However, it’s a newer product and lacks verified customer reviews.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
10. Viva Naturals Pycnogenol
Viva Naturals Pycnogenol is a solid product that designed to provide antioxidant protection. It also supports healthy circulation and joint health.
Specs
- 100mg Pycnogenol
- 60 capsules per container
- Vegetarian capsules
Bottom Line
This is an overall good product that gives you a solid dose of Pycnogenol per serving.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Amazon |
Frequently Asked Questions About Pine Bark Extracts
What is Pine Bark Extract?
Pine bark extract is standardized by proanthocyanidin content, which is a polyphenol with antioxidant properties. Some are standardized by procyanidin content, compounds in the proanthocyanidin polyphenol family.
Procyanidins are similar to catechins found in green tea, according to Examine.com
The supplement is sometimes used for addressing allergies, asthma, improving athletic performance, treating circulation problems, improving mental function and treating a disease of the retina, according to WebMD. There is not sufficient evidence that pine bark extract is effective at treating other ailments.
It may help treat erectile dysfunction due to its ability to enhance the production of Nitric Oxide, according to Examine.com. Nitric Oxide (NO) is a compound produced by the body and appears to help treat erectile dysfunction.
What is Pycnogenol?
Pycnogenol is a brand name for a compound derived from French maritime pine tree bark, according to manufacturer Horphag Research. The active ingredient can also be derived from other sources, such as grape seed and peanut skin.
Described as a unique blend of antioxidants, it has procyanidins, bioflavonoids, and organic acids. The product was developed more than 50 years ago and is sold in over 80 countries. It generally contains between 65%-75% procyanidins.
The product can be added to other supplements as an ingredient, or taken alone. It is Kosher and produced in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified facilities.
Do not confuse Pycnogenol for grape seed extract. Though they have the same molecules, they come from a different source, according to Examine.com.
Pycnogenol vs. Pine Bark Extract
Pycnogenol is pine bark extract – just in a particular branded form. Generic pine bark extract may be derived from different species of pine tree than Pycnogenol, and have a slightly different standardization. A Chinese study found little to no difference between Pycnogenol and two other pine tree extracts in 2012.
What Are the Uses & Benefits of Pine Bark Extract?
Originating as a supplement to ease aging, the antioxidant properties have been used for a variety of health purposes, some with more evidence than others. Some uses include:
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction is a common ailment, affecting 3 million American men per year according to Mayo Clinic. Most studies on Pygnogenol’s effects on ED include the use of L-Arginine, and show an increase in Nitric Oxide (NO) levels, according to Examine.com. The combined effects seem to notably improve ED symptoms, but further research is needed.
Asthma
Pycnogenol appears to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help manage asthma, a chronic inflammatory disorder, according to WebMD. Taking Pycnogenol daily with prescribed asthma medication seems to decrease symptoms in children and adults. An Italian study found that Pycnogenol improves control of asthma signs and symptoms and lowers the need for prescribed medication.
Seasonal Allergies
Some studies have found taking Pycnogenol prior to allergy-season can reduce symptoms for people born with allergies, according to WebMD. A Canadian study found that the longer subjects took Pycnogenol before birch pollen season, symptom relief improved, with the best results coming from subjects who took it 7-8 weeks ahead of the season.
Diabetes and Insulin Sensitivity
The evidence is mixed when it comes to Pycnogenol’s effects on diabetes and insulin resistance. It appears to improve blood glucose control, according to Examine.com. However, WebMD notes that more research is needed.
Retinal Disease
Pycnogenol is possibly effective for treating retinal disease caused by diabetes, according to WebMD. A study published in an international scientific journal found Pycnogenol has a beneficial effect of progression of retinopathy – visual acuity in subjects taking a placebo progressively worsened, but Pycnogenol subjects showed no deterioration of retinal function.
Mental Function
In young adults and the elderly, Pycnogenol may improve memory and mental function, according to WebMD. More research is needed.
Athletic Performance
Young adults may improve training and athletic performance in difficult, high-stress sports by taking Pycnogenol, according to an Italian study. More research is needed.
How Do I Take Pine Bark Extract?
Because of different uses, there are a variety of ways to take effective pine bark extract supplements. It can be taken with other supplements for various purposes, and at different dosages.
A Pycnogenol dosage of between 50-450mg taken daily for a year is likely safe, according to WebMD. Standard pycnogenol supplement dosage is between 100-200mg, according to Examine.com. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, or ask a doctor how you should take Pycnogenol supplements.
Are There Any Side Effects of Pine Bark Extract?
Side effects may include dizziness, gut problems, headache or mouth ulcers. Powerful Pycnogenol supplements may decrease blood sugar too much in diabetics. Due to lack of research, Pycnogenol should be used cautiously or avoided by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Do I Pick a Good Pine Bark Product?
A good pine bark extract or Pycnogenol supplement will clearly indicate the dosage and ingredient content of the product. Make sure to purchase from a reliable manufacturer, such as the ones listed in this guide.
If you prefer to save money, you should look for products made with generic pine bark extracts. However, if you are looking for more premium products, Pycnogenol is highly researched and always made with the exact same antioxidant and polyphenol profile.
Contents of this Article
- Top 10 Pine Bark Extract Products Compared
- 1. Now Foods Pine Bark Extract
- 2. BulkSupplements Pure Pine Bark Extract Powder
- 3. Absorb Health Pine Bark Extract
- 4. Source Naturals Pine Bark Extract
- 5. Vitacost Pine Bark Extract
- 6. Swanson Superior Herbs Pine Bark Extract
- 7. Natrol Pycnogenol
- 8. Planetary Herbals FS Pine Bark Extract
- 9. Best Naturals Pine Bark Extract Powder
- 10. Viva Naturals Pycnogenol
- Frequently Asked Questions About Pine Bark Extracts