maritime Pine
Useful mainly for adults with chronic venous insufficiency seeking modest symptom relief.
Quick decision guide
May help most
adults with chronic venous insufficiency seeking modest symptom relief
Common dosing range
100–150 mg/day standardized extract (range 50–200 mg)
When to expect effects
Weeks
Watch out for
Mild platelet effects; discontinue 2 weeks before surgery and use care with blood thinners
What is it
Maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster ) is a coniferous tree native to the western Mediterranean coast whose bark is the source of a standardised polyphenol-rich extract best known under the trade name Pycnogenol. The extract is a complex mixture of procyanidins (oligomeric proanthocyanidins, OPCs), catechin and epicatechin monomers, phenolic acids, and taxifolin, standardised to typically 65-75% procyanidins by spectrophotometric assay. These polyphenols act as antioxidants, modulate nitric oxide synthesis and endothelial function, inhibit certain inflammatory enzymes (COX, lipoxygenase) at high concentrations in vitro, and have been the subject of more than a hundred small-to-mid-size clinical trials.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
chronic venous insufficiency Limited Evidence | Modest | Adults with leg swelling, heaviness, and cramping from venous insufficiency | Weeks |
blood pressure and endothelial function Limited Evidence | Small | Adults with mildly impaired endothelial function or borderline blood pressure | Weeks |
adhd symptoms in children Limited Evidence | Uncertain | Children with ADHD, as explored in small studies | Weeks |
erectile function Limited Evidence | Modest | Men with mild erectile dysfunction, often studied with L-arginine | Weeks |
osteoarthritis symptoms Limited Evidence | Small | Adults with knee osteoarthritis pain | Weeks |
chronic venous insufficiency
- Effect
- Modest
- Best fit
- Adults with leg swelling, heaviness, and cramping from venous insufficiency
- Time
- Weeks
blood pressure and endothelial function
- Effect
- Small
- Best fit
- Adults with mildly impaired endothelial function or borderline blood pressure
- Time
- Weeks
adhd symptoms in children
- Effect
- Uncertain
- Best fit
- Children with ADHD, as explored in small studies
- Time
- Weeks
erectile function
- Effect
- Modest
- Best fit
- Men with mild erectile dysfunction, often studied with L-arginine
- Time
- Weeks
osteoarthritis symptoms
- Effect
- Small
- Best fit
- Adults with knee osteoarthritis pain
- Time
- Weeks
Evidence for 5 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
chronic venous insufficiency
Supplement benefitStandardized maritime pine bark extract (around 100 mg/day) has improved venous insufficiency symptoms such as edema and leg heaviness in several small-to-mid-size trials, plausibly via effects on capillary permeability and endothelial function. The trials are mostly small and some are industry-linked. Benefit is symptomatic and modest.
Bottom line: A reasonable adjunct for venous insufficiency symptoms, with modest expected benefit.
blood pressure and endothelial function
Biomarker supportMaritime pine bark extract modulates nitric oxide and has improved measures of endothelial function and modestly lowered blood pressure in some small trials. These are largely surrogate vascular measures rather than cardiovascular event outcomes. The effect on blood pressure is small and inconsistent across studies.
Bottom line: May modestly improve vascular biomarkers and blood pressure, but this is not shown to prevent cardiovascular events.
Evidence is mixed
Some small trials show improved endothelial markers and minor blood-pressure reductions; others show little effect, and hard outcomes are untested.
adhd symptoms in children
Disease adjunctA small number of trials (around 60–120 mg/day) have reported reductions in hyperactivity and improvements in attention in children with ADHD. The evidence base is small and not replicated at scale. It is not an established treatment.
Bottom line: Preliminary evidence in pediatric ADHD; too limited to recommend as therapy.
erectile function
Supplement benefitSmall trials, frequently combining maritime pine bark extract with L-arginine, have reported improved erectile function, consistent with nitric-oxide-mediated effects. Studies are small and often use combination products, making the extract's independent contribution unclear. Evidence is preliminary.
Bottom line: Limited evidence for erectile function, mostly in combination with L-arginine.
osteoarthritis symptoms
Disease adjunctSome small trials report reduced osteoarthritis pain and stiffness with maritime pine bark extract, plausibly via anti-inflammatory polyphenol activity. The trials are few and small. Benefit is not well established.
Bottom line: Preliminary evidence for osteoarthritis symptom relief; not dependable.
How to take it
What to track
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Who should avoid it
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- People before surgery
- Those on anticoagulants/antiplatelets without medical advice
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient safety data; use is generally not recommended in pregnancy or lactation.
Interactions
Mild platelet-modulating effects at high doses
Possible additive blood-pressure lowering
Possible additive glucose lowering
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
References by claim
Track maritime Pine with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.