Pycnogenol Pine Bark Powder Extract: The Easy Way to Eat a Pine Tree!

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By justmesuzanne

"Did you ever eat a pine tree? Many parts are edible!"

If you were around in 1974, you may remember Euell Gibbons giving us this sage bit of advice in a cereal commercial! Well, darned if he wasn't right! It turns out that pine bark extract is not only edible, it is simply fabulous for your health.

Help With Cramping and Inflammation

Pycnogenol pine bark extract benefits are multiple. In fact, it has proven to be an excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-cramping agent in clinical trials targeted at osteoarthritis and asthma. Several studies have shown that pine bark extract is an excellent supplement for improving blood flow, thereby easing pain and cramps. This is very helpful for women who experience painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea). Pine bark supplement is very high in antioxidants, so in addition to helping with cramps of all kinds, it is also helpful for reducing inflammation and protecting and repairing the body's cells. Additionally, pycnogenol extract provides significant amounts of selenium, as well as vitamins E, C, and A.

Muscle damage may be caused by strenuous exercise. This damage can result in inflammation, cramping and pain. If you are a serious athlete, or are just starting a workout program, pine bark extract can be very helpful to you in easing the pain and inflammation of hard-working muscles. The increase of blood flow to the muscles helps them to recover faster and reduces pain by washing away lactic acid buildup.

A study at L'Aquila University, Italy focused on Pycnogenol pine bark extract’s effects on cramping and venous disorders. The findings indicated that average people who used pycnogenol pine bark extract could expect a twenty five percent reduction in their experience of cramping during and after exercise. Participants who had problems with venous insufficiency had a forty percent reduction in their experience of cramping. Participants who were serious athletes experienced a thirteen percent reduction of cramping.

Increased Blood Flow Has Many Benefits

A further study found Pycnogenol pine bark extract was particularly helpful for diabetic microangiopathy. This is a condition that affects the small veins of people with diabetes. Additionally, pine bark extract was found to be beneficial for people experiencing intermittent claudication. This is a disease of the blood vessels that causes leg cramps. Both groups of patients found that they experienced about twenty percent less pain and discomfort while taking Pycnogenol pine bark extract. Those in a control group taking a placebo had no reduction of pain.

It is common for people to experience cramps for a number of reasons. Whether you are very fit and exercise regularly, are unfit and experience a stress injury, or have an illness that causes cramping, Pycnogenol pine bark extract may prove to be extremely helpful to you. It is very effective and has not been found to have any dangerous side effects.

Copyright: SuzanneBennett: October 23, 2009

The Supplement That Has Something for Everyone!

Enjoying Pine Trees the Old-Fashioned Way!

Tip!

Enjoy your pycnogenol powder from PureBulk.com in a glass of chilled apple juice. It is very tasty in a chardonnay-ish sort of way and great with fruit, cheese and fresh French bread!

Comments

BkCreative profile image

BkCreative Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago

I was just doing research on pycnogenol and found so much great information. I'm glad you also presented it exactly for what it is - pine bark, which has long been used in Chinese medicine. Pycnogenol is only the name brand. And those pine nuts? - they also have healthy benefits.

Thanks for all the information!

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Hub Author 2 years ago

Yes, in the video, the "eat the weeds" guy explains about the benefits and uses of pine nuts and how to harvest them! :) Thanks for your comment!

Amanda Severn profile image

Amanda Severn Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago

Well you learn something new every day! I often buy pine nuts and use them in salads or with pesto on pasta, but I didn't know that the bark had medicinal uses. Thanks for sharing!

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Hub Author 2 years ago

My pleasure! :)

billyaustindillon profile image

billyaustindillon Level 2 Commenter 22 months ago

I had no idea about the benefits of pine. I too have a few dishes we cook with pine nuts. Now I know I need to have them more often.

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Hub Author 22 months ago

That's great! They are mighty tasty! :)

htodd profile image

htodd 14 months ago

Great hub ,Thanks for sharing

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Hub Author 14 months ago

My pleasure! :)

robby 14 months ago

can you get pycnogenol from pine trees in the southeastern U.S

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Hub Author 14 months ago

I don't know, specifically! I imagine so, but it is a lot easier to just order a big bag from PureBulk.com! :)

lyla1 profile image

lyla1 7 months ago

thanks for commenting on my first blog, you seem very nice, once again... THANKS EVER SO MUCH! xx

-Lyla1

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne Hub Author 7 months ago

My pleasure! You need to get busy writing some more HUBS! :)

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