**This article originally published in Prime Magazine July 2008**
By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium
Special to PRIME
Dear Jonathan,
What is the difference between pine bark extract and grape seed extract? I heard part of your program last week, but could not get the whole story. Ed, Southwick
Dear Ed,
Great question, lets see if I can give you a clear enough answer.
Both pine bark extract and grape seed extract are very rich sources of biologically active flavinoids, but according to Dr. Michael Murray, the overwhelming majority of clinical studies have used grapeseed instead of pine bark. Murray states the antioxidant activity of the grapeseed is substantially more potent and effective than the pine bark.
Not all pine bark contains the proper amounts of phenols, catechins or procyanins. The product most talked about is trade named Pycnogenol. This is a very specific product, using the bark of the Pinus maritimus, or French maritime pine tree. If you use pine bark extract, look for that name.
As stated before, the grapeseed is a better product and has more clinical studies under its belt. Grapenol is a trade name product we have used for our clients for many years. It is also much more cost effective, since growing grapes is so much easier than growing a whole tree.
Oligomeric proanthrocyanadins are used for capillary fragility and easy bruising, varicose veins, diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, heart disease treatment and prevention, macular degeneration, LDL oxidation, wound healing and immune system stimulation, to name just a few. We have also used it for our clients with memory and concentration problems, ADD/ADHD.etc. These compounds help promote new blood vessel growth and circulation. It is one of the few things that can cross the blood/brain barrier, so it has been quite effective helping kids with ADD. My wife Kathy figured this out many years before the research was done and helped so many children with learning problems over the years.
One thing you need to know is how to use the grapeseed or pinebark extracts. There are many very expensive products out there that try to dazzle the consumer with an exotic blend of pine bark, grape seed, grape skin, and so on. the problem is, the total dose is only 75 milligrams of so. To use the OPC's properly is dependent on a weight/milligram dosage and is different for every person. You need to know this to get the full benefit from your product. They don't tell you this, I just did. Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
My daughter has Psoriasis, and has been using several over the counter preparations and prescription, but it does not seem to get any better. Any suggestions? Gloria, Springfield
Dear Gloria,
We have been getting more people coming in with this problem recently. There are a few things that can be done. Is your daughter under a lot of stress, or does she not process stress very well?
This seems to be one of the biggest factors. What we usually do is clean up the diet (refer to our Getting Started sheet on the website) and get the person on a regimen of enough vitamins to do the job. Extra vitamin B complex, and vitamin C are very important. These are the stress vitamins. They are water-soluble and need replenishing often and in higher amounts the governments' recommended daily allowance. Sometimes Milk Thistle extract is used, for a liver cleanse, or if the problem is really stubborn, we use Dr. Clayton's Psoriacin formula. It is an excellent cleanser and can really help clear up the psoriasis. Also vitamin A, Vitamin E and beta-carotene are beneficial. Just as an aside, since the government "suggested"" vitamin A intake was too high, and the vitamin companies all reduced their vitamin A levels, and some people believed the silly mis-analysis on vitamin E, we have seen an increase in psoriasis, and eczema. Interesting coincidence, don't you think? Other things needed are fish or flax seed oil and MSM, a sulphur compound that can help the skin and inflammation. If you can get a good base of nutrients, the skin healing is just a matter of time. Kathy's Magic Salve works very well to relieve the skin irritation, and there are several homeopathic creams that are used as well. Try this out before you spend any more time and money on the creams alone. These problems are coming from the inside, not the outside, such as poison ivy or poison oak. Jonathan
Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium
Special to PRIME
Dear Jonathan,
What is the difference between pine bark extract and grape seed extract? I heard part of your program last week, but could not get the whole story. Ed, Southwick
Dear Ed,
Great question, lets see if I can give you a clear enough answer.
Both pine bark extract and grape seed extract are very rich sources of biologically active flavinoids, but according to Dr. Michael Murray, the overwhelming majority of clinical studies have used grapeseed instead of pine bark. Murray states the antioxidant activity of the grapeseed is substantially more potent and effective than the pine bark.
Not all pine bark contains the proper amounts of phenols, catechins or procyanins. The product most talked about is trade named Pycnogenol. This is a very specific product, using the bark of the Pinus maritimus, or French maritime pine tree. If you use pine bark extract, look for that name.
As stated before, the grapeseed is a better product and has more clinical studies under its belt. Grapenol is a trade name product we have used for our clients for many years. It is also much more cost effective, since growing grapes is so much easier than growing a whole tree.
Oligomeric proanthrocyanadins are used for capillary fragility and easy bruising, varicose veins, diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, heart disease treatment and prevention, macular degeneration, LDL oxidation, wound healing and immune system stimulation, to name just a few. We have also used it for our clients with memory and concentration problems, ADD/ADHD.etc. These compounds help promote new blood vessel growth and circulation. It is one of the few things that can cross the blood/brain barrier, so it has been quite effective helping kids with ADD. My wife Kathy figured this out many years before the research was done and helped so many children with learning problems over the years.
One thing you need to know is how to use the grapeseed or pinebark extracts. There are many very expensive products out there that try to dazzle the consumer with an exotic blend of pine bark, grape seed, grape skin, and so on. the problem is, the total dose is only 75 milligrams of so. To use the OPC's properly is dependent on a weight/milligram dosage and is different for every person. You need to know this to get the full benefit from your product. They don't tell you this, I just did. Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
My daughter has Psoriasis, and has been using several over the counter preparations and prescription, but it does not seem to get any better. Any suggestions? Gloria, Springfield
Dear Gloria,
We have been getting more people coming in with this problem recently. There are a few things that can be done. Is your daughter under a lot of stress, or does she not process stress very well?
This seems to be one of the biggest factors. What we usually do is clean up the diet (refer to our Getting Started sheet on the website) and get the person on a regimen of enough vitamins to do the job. Extra vitamin B complex, and vitamin C are very important. These are the stress vitamins. They are water-soluble and need replenishing often and in higher amounts the governments' recommended daily allowance. Sometimes Milk Thistle extract is used, for a liver cleanse, or if the problem is really stubborn, we use Dr. Clayton's Psoriacin formula. It is an excellent cleanser and can really help clear up the psoriasis. Also vitamin A, Vitamin E and beta-carotene are beneficial. Just as an aside, since the government "suggested"" vitamin A intake was too high, and the vitamin companies all reduced their vitamin A levels, and some people believed the silly mis-analysis on vitamin E, we have seen an increase in psoriasis, and eczema. Interesting coincidence, don't you think? Other things needed are fish or flax seed oil and MSM, a sulphur compound that can help the skin and inflammation. If you can get a good base of nutrients, the skin healing is just a matter of time. Kathy's Magic Salve works very well to relieve the skin irritation, and there are several homeopathic creams that are used as well. Try this out before you spend any more time and money on the creams alone. These problems are coming from the inside, not the outside, such as poison ivy or poison oak. Jonathan
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