What is the history behind Pine Bark?

In the winter of 1535, a French explorer named Jacques Cartier found his ship ice-bound in the St. Lawrence River, in what is now Quebec. Having no fruits or vegetables, the crew became ill with scurvy, a disease resulting from vitamin C deficiency. Several had already died before the Native People of Canada told them how to prepare a tea made from tree bark. Many crew members recovered and attributed miraculous qualities to the tea. It is thought now that the tea was prepared from the bark of the Eastern White Pine tree and that it contained large amounts of vitamin C.

What is the evidence?

There are not enough data from clinical trials to support most of the health claims made for any form of pine bark extract, although interest in proanthocyanidins among medical researchers is growing. There are reports from small human studies that pine bark extract may be helpful in treating circulation disorders.

One clinical trial began in August 2003 to find out whether pycnogenol helps reduce lymphedema (swelling from fluid buildup, which can occur after procedures in which lymph nodes are affected) after treatment for breast cancer. This study was still recruiting patients as of early 2007.

A small human study found that a single high dose of pine bark extract in the form of a bioflavonoid mixture was effective in reducing platelet clumping in smokers for more than three days, which would be expected to reduce blood clotting. This may mean that pine bark extract could lower risk for stroke or heart attack, but clinical studies to find out whether this is true have not been done.

Some small brief studies have been done to look at pine bark extract?s possible usefulness in treating asthma, menstrual pain, blood clots and leg swelling during long airplane flights, retinal disease in diabetics, high cholesterol, and other disorders.

All of these studies need to be done on larger groups of people under carefully controlled conditions to find out whether pine bark extract actually helps any of these problems.

Studies also suggest pine bark extract has antioxidant properties, which are sometimes helpful in reducing cancer risk. Further research is needed to find out whether pine bark extract may have any benefit for preventing or treating cancer.

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Source: http://alternative-medicine.ezinemark.com/what-is-the-history-behind-pine-bark-7d3796098266.html

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