Pine Tree Bark or
Needles
Pinus Maritima
History: Jacques Cartier, in his book, 'Voyages to Canada' (1534-5),
credited a herbal tea made form the needles and bark of the Anneda Tree,
a Canadian pine tree, with saving the lives of his crew when they were
stranded by ice on the St. Lawrence River. Of his 110-man crew, 25
were dead, 50 were seriously ill and the remainder of the crew were too
weak to even bury the dead. All looked lost until they were rescued by
friendly Quebec Indians who were experts on the medicinal properties of
the local plants. The Indians told the Frenchmen how to brew a tea
from the bark and needles of pine trees growing in the area. They
tried the tea on two of the sickest crewmembers; they improved so
quickly that Cartier gave the tea to all the surviving members of his
crew. All the crewmembers recovered from the dreaded scurvy due to
this tea.
Four
hundred years later, professor Jacques Masquelier, doing research on
pine bark, grape skins and several nutshells looked into the records of
Cartier's experience. The professor found that the Maritime Pine
contained the richest available supply of assorted bioflavonoids. This
blend
was
called Proanthocyanidins, which he later patented under the name
Pycnogenol. The pine needles contained
Vitamin C and the pine bark
flavonoids, which enhances the vital functions of the
Vitamin C. This
is the very combination of the tea the Indians taught Cartier and his
men that supplies the nutrients lacking in a diet low in fresh fruits
and vegetables, which can result in scurvy.
Free
radicals are toxic by-products of the body's natural metabolic processes
that cause oxidative damage to cells and tissues. In addition,
environmental factors such as alcohol, cigarette smoke, air and water
pollutants, pesticides, fried foods, refined foods and their
preservatives, household cleaners, radiation, anesthetics, physical and
emotional stress, coffee, microwave ovens, electromagnetic fields and
power lines etc., add to this burden.
The
bioflavonoids in pycnogenol have the ability to provide the substance of
life that will help rebuild the system by supplying the anti-oxidants
that reduce free radical scavengers that cause the oxidative damage to
cells mentioned above. Pycnogenol's ability to stop this free radical
damage not only helps the internal body maintain its youth but it is
considered an oral cosmetic for what it can do to maintain youthful skin.
Pycnogenol inhibits the natural enzymes of the body. All cells in the
human body are glued together with collagen. By restoring collagen,
Pycnogenol helps return flexibility to skin, joints, arteries,
capillaries and other tissues.
Pycnogenol strengthens the entire arterial system and improves
circulation. It reduces capillary fragility and develops skin
smoothness and elasticity.
Pycnogenol has been used successfully for diabetic retinopathy, varicose
veins, and hemorrhoids. It is one of the few dietary anti-oxidants
that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier to directly protect brain
cells and aid memory.
Uses:
Allergies, Arthritis, Atherosclerolis, Brain Dysfunction, Cancer,
Circulatory problems, Edema, Diabetic Retinopathy, Hay fever, Heart
Disease, Memory, Osteroarthritis, Skin Eruptions, Sports Injuries,
Stress, Varicose Veins, Viruses
Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
Nutritional Herbology, by Mark Pedersen, Wendell W. Whitman Company, 1998
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
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