Maritime pine

The Maritime Pine, scientific name Pinus pinaster, also known as cluster pine, is an evergreen tree of the Pinaceae family. The extract of its bark contains pycnogenol, an antioxidant with protective effects on the microcirculation and the cardiovascular system (Iravani et al, Res Pharm Sci, 2011). But pycnogenol is also able to fight free radicals and to reduce the risk of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson ( Voss et al, Free Radic Res, 2006). Thanks to these characteristics, the remedy is protective on blood vessels, therefore it is applied in case of venous insufficiency but also capillary fragility, edemas, varices and hemorrhoids. In addition to this, it is also a help for women who are going through menopause. In this very delicate moment of life estrogens decrease together with their protective effect on the cardiovascular system. An Italian team performed a study published in the Minerva Medica newspaper about women in perimenopause and analyzed the effects of the maritime pine extract taken for 8 months. It was found that, at the end of the treatment, the hot flushes had decreased, the mood improved as well as all the indicators of a possible cardiovascular risk. In fact, the remedy has been able to decrease the values of cholesterol, triglycerides, sugars and blood pressure. Because of its ability to fight oxidation, maritime pine extract also helps to prevent skin aging caused by sun exposure, reduce skin hyperpigmentation and strengthen skin defenses (Grether-beck et al, Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2016). Finally, a study carried out in 2004 by a team of Chinese researchers and published in the journal Life sciences highlighted how the extract of maritime pine can play a role in lowering glucose levels and at the same time improving the function of the endothelium, the coating of blood vessels, lymphatic system and heart, when used together with standard treatment on diabetic patients.