Research shows pine bark extract reduces ADHD symptoms in children

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevailing issue in the USA, with millions of children getting diagnosed every year. Against this background, new study reveals that Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, reduces ADHD in children. It shows Pycnogenol balances stress hormones, which lowers adrenaline and dopamine, resulting in a decrease of the condition.

The findings, to be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Nutritional Neuroscience, is a spin-off of a 2006 study found in the journal of European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry that revealed Pycnogenol helped reduce hyperactivity and improve attention, concentration and motor-visual coordination in children with ADHD. The current study measures urine samples and blood samples of the children, which were not accounted for in the results of the original study.

"Pycnogenol's ability to naturally treat symptoms of ADHD is what makes this extract exceptionally pleasing to parents who may be uneasy about medicating their children with stimulant medications," said Peter Rohdewald of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Germany's University of Munster and one of the authors of the trial.