Maritime pine

The maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is also called Bordeaux pine, hedgehog pine, star pine, sea pine, beach pine or beach pine. It originates from the western Mediterranean region, but also grows on the Atlantic coast of France and can live up to 300 years. Pycnogenol is extracted from the bark of the sea pine, an aqueous extract which consists of about 80% oligomeric proanthocyanides.

The bark extract of the maritime pine is said to be effective in acute hemorrhoid complaints and in chronic venous insufficiency. In a randomized placebo-controlled study with 21 patients (18 controls) with chronic venous insufficiency, Pycnogenol showed a noticeable reduction of edema (50 mg/day). 360 mg Pycnogenol showed superiority in edema reduction compared to horse chestnut extract (600 mg) after 4 weeks.