Pycnogenol is the brand name for a plant extract derived from the bark of the maritime pine tree of coastal southwest France. This over-the-counter supplement is used for a range of health conditions, including for lowering blood pressure. Because high blood pressure is a serious condition, work with your doctor in reducing your blood pressure in any health care regimen that includes Pycnogenol.
Function
Pycnogenol contains chemical compounds that may improve blood flow. The extract increases nitric oxide production, which relaxes and widens blood vessels, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It also inhibits the production of adhesion proteins that cause artery inflammation and thickening of the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. In addition, Pycnogenol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating effects.
Uses
MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, rates Pycnogenol as "possibly effective" for treating several health conditions, including some involving the cardiovascular system. The extract may be helpful for varicose veins and for reducing fluid retention and leg pain in people with circulation problems. Pycnogenol also appears to reduce systolic blood pressure. Systolic is the first, or top, number in a blood pressure reading, designating pressure when the heart is pumping. Diastolic is the second, or bottom, number, referring to pressure when the heart rests between beats. Normal blood pressure has a top number below 120 and a bottom number below 80.
Isolated Systolic Hypertension
For Americans age 50 or older, high systolic blood pressure with normal diastolic blood pressure is the most common type of hypertension, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This condition is called isolated systolic high blood pressure or isolated systolic hypertension. Pycnogenol might be helpful for those with mild isolated systolic hypertension. However, Pycnogenol does not significantly reduce diastolic blood pressure, according to MedlinePlus. This makes it ineffective for lowering high diastolic blood pressure, which is more common in younger people.
Safety
A standard dosage of Pycnogenol for mild high blood pressure is 200 mg daily, reports MedlinePlus. As of 2011, the website rates Pycnogenol as "possibly safe" in doses up to 450 mg per day for up to six months. You could experience dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, headaches and mouth ulcers as side effects. Because Pycnogenol has immune-stimulating effects, it may be inadvisable for people with autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
