Pine Bark Extract

Powerful antioxidant extract rich in proanthocyanidins that supports circulation, skin health, cognitive function, and cardiovascular wellness

Scientific namePinus pinaster/maritima FormulaComplex proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids Molecular weightVariable oligomeric compounds g/mol CASVarious natural compounds

15 absorption score

9 safety / 10

45 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

Pine Bark Extract with:

94 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Enhanced circulation and vascular health

Improves blood flow and strengthens blood vessel walls

Proanthocyanidins improve endothelial function and capillary integrity Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks

Powerful antioxidant protection

Provides superior antioxidant effects and cellular protection

OPCs neutralize free radicals more effectively than vitamin C/E Evidence A-grade 2-4 weeks

ADHD symptom improvement

Reduces hyperactivity and improves attention in children

Antioxidants support neurotransmitter function and brain health Evidence B-grade 4-8 weeks

Skin health and anti-aging

Protects skin from UV damage and improves appearance

Antioxidants protect collagen and support skin elasticity Evidence B-grade 6-12 weeks

Cognitive function enhancement

Improves memory, focus, and mental clarity

Enhanced brain circulation and neuroprotective effects Evidence C-grade 4-8 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Turmeric Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant 300-1000mg A 3% Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Heart health & cellular energy 100-200mg A 10% Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) Heart & brain health 1-2g EPA/DHA A 85% Glutathione Master antioxidant & detox support 250-750mg B 20% Psyllium Husk Digestive health & cholesterol support 5-15g A 95% Astaxanthin Superior antioxidant & skin protection 4-12mg B 20%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Pine Bark Extract + Iron Sulfate High iron may reduce antioxidant effectiveness Needs attention 61

Pine Bark Extract + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Pine Bark Extract + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Pine Bark Extract + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Pine Bark Extract + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Pine Bark Extract + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Pine Bark Extract + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Pine Bark Extract + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Pine Bark Extract + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Pine Bark Extract + Ginkgo Biloba Enhanced circulation and cognitive benefits Works better together 78

Pine Bark Extract + Vitamin D3 Enhanced antioxidant protection and vitamin C recycling Works better together 94

Pine Bark Extract + Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Enhanced antioxidant protection and vitamin C recycling Works better together 94

Dosage

With meals

Daily50-200mg

Circulation support100-200mg daily

Antioxidant protection50-150mg daily

Adhd support100-200mg daily

Skin health100-150mg daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for antioxidant and initial circulation benefits

Peak Benefits8-12 weeks for sustained vascular and cognitive benefits

Deficiency DevelopmentReturn to baseline antioxidant and circulation function

Toxicity OnsetVery rare, mainly with extremely high doses

How to measure it

$150-250

MarkerAntioxidant status, circulation markers, or cognitive assessments

OptimalImproved antioxidant status and circulation markers

Deficient belowNot applicable for supplement

FrequencyMonitor circulation and antioxidant status every 6-12 months

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 3 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Anxiety 1

Feeling abnormal 1

Insomnia 1

Mental disorder 1

Blood pressure increased 1

Named as the suspect 3 reports of 3 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 86% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event3

Hospitalization2

Other Serious Outcome1

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption Low 15 of 100 · poorly absorbed relative to other forms

Delivered daily 18.8 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $8.00 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Vitamin C

Enhanced antioxidant protection and vitamin C recycling

Pine bark extract regenerates and enhances vitamin C activity · level A

Vitamin E

Enhanced antioxidant protection and vitamin E recycling

Proanthocyanidins regenerate and enhance vitamin E activity · level A

Ginkgo Biloba

Enhanced circulation and cognitive benefits

Both improve circulation, particularly to brain and extremities · level B

What not to take with Pine Bark Extract

2 documented

Iron Excess

High iron may reduce antioxidant effectiveness

Iron can promote oxidation overwhelming antioxidant capacity · minor significance

Smoking

Smoking generates massive oxidative stress

Tobacco smoke overwhelms antioxidant protection · major significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

blood-thinners Moderate

May enhance anticoagulant effects

What to do: Monitor bleeding parameters

blood-pressure-medications Minor

May enhance blood pressure lowering effects

What to do: Monitor blood pressure

diabetes-medications Minor

May affect blood sugar levels

What to do: Monitor blood glucose

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Pycnogenol (Patented Extract) 90

French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (95% OPCs) 85

Generic Pine Bark Extract 80

Whole Pine Bark Powder 60

Pycnogenol (Patented Extract): Most researched, Standardized, Patented quality, Clinical backing

French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (95% OPCs): High potency, Good standardization, Research backed, More affordable

Generic Pine Bark Extract: More affordable, Widely available, Good effects, Similar compounds

Whole Pine Bark Powder: Complete spectrum, Natural form, Lower cost, Traditional use

Food sources

before you supplement

Pine bark tea Traditional preparation, very low potency · 30

Pine bark extract supplements 50-200mg per capsule · 80-90

Red wine Contains some similar compounds but different source · 25

Grape seed extract Similar proanthocyanidins, different plant source · 85

Too little

deficiency signs

Not essential - but symptoms addressed by pine bark extract:
Poor circulation and weak blood vessels
High oxidative stress and cellular damage
ADHD symptoms and attention problems
Skin damage and accelerated aging
Poor cognitive function and brain fog
Reduced antioxidant protection

Too much

toxicity signs

Excellent safety profile:
Mild blood pressure lowering with medications
Possible increased bleeding with blood thinners
Rare digestive upset with high doses
Generally extremely well tolerated

Who benefits most

circulation-vascular-health

Excellent for improving circulation and blood vessel health

100-200mg daily

antioxidant-cellular-protection

Superior antioxidant for cellular protection and anti-aging

50-150mg daily

adhd-attention-problems

May help improve ADHD symptoms and attention

100-200mg daily

skin-health-uv-protection

Protects skin from UV damage and supports appearance

100-150mg daily

cognitive-enhancement

May improve memory and mental clarity

100-200mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Pine Bark Extract at 50-200mg per serving. The form that matters here is Pycnogenol (Patented Extract).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

Smoking

Smoking generates massive oxidative stress

Tobacco smoke overwhelms antioxidant protection

How it works

Proanthocyanidins improve endothelial function and nitric oxide production
OPCs strengthen capillary walls and reduce vascular permeability
Powerful antioxidant effects protect cells from oxidative damage
Enhances vitamin C and E antioxidant activity and recycling
Supports neurotransmitter function and brain circulation
Protects collagen and elastin from degradation

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Strong evidence for circulation improvement and antioxidant activity
Good evidence for ADHD symptom improvement in children
Promising for skin health and cognitive enhancement
Excellent safety profile with minimal side effects

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Pine Bark Extract?

Documented effects: Enhanced circulation and vascular health; Powerful antioxidant protection; ADHD symptom improvement; Skin health and anti-aging. Improves blood flow and strengthens blood vessel walls

How much Pine Bark Extract should you take per day?

The common daily range is 50-200mg. By goal — circulation support: 100-200mg daily; antioxidant protection: 50-150mg daily; adhd support: 100-200mg daily; skin health: 100-150mg daily.

When is the best time to take Pine Bark Extract?

With meals. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for antioxidant and initial circulation benefits.

What are the side effects of Pine Bark Extract?

At excessive doses: Excellent safety profile:, Mild blood pressure lowering with medications, Possible increased bleeding with blood thinners, Rare digestive upset with high doses, Generally extremely well tolerated. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.

What should you not take with Pine Bark Extract?

Separate it from Iron Excess, Smoking by two to four hours. High iron may reduce antioxidant effectiveness

Does Pine Bark Extract interact with medications?

Documented interactions with blood-thinners, blood-pressure-medications, diabetes-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Pine Bark Extract?

The marker is Antioxidant status, circulation markers, or cognitive assessments, optimal range Improved antioxidant status and circulation markers. Common deficiency signs: Not essential - but symptoms addressed by pine bark extract:, Poor circulation and weak blood vessels, High oxidative stress and cellular damage, ADHD symptoms and attention problems.

Taken for

52 Heart

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) · EPA · Olive Oil Extract

49 Liver & Detox

Turmeric · Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) · D-Mannose