When it comes to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may find it difficult to properly treat symptoms. To mitigate these issues, doctors will prescribe pharmaceutical medications. However, these often come with the risk of side effects.

For these reasons, many people are turning to natural alternatives for ADHD. While there’s a wide selection, pine bark extract has garnered recent attention. But is pine bark and ADHD a good combination?

What is Pine Bark Extract?

Pine bark extract is a natural herbal supplement made from meridian pine bark. Many have self-reported that it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant.

Pine bark contains large amounts of polyphenols like procyanidins, catechins, and phenolic acids. These can act as a natural treatment for cardiovascular and inflammation complications. Some have also found it useful for erectile dysfunction. ¹

Still, as of recently, there’s been speculation that you can use pine bark extract for ADHD.

Pine Bark Extract and ADHD: Does it Help?

The polyphenols found in pine bark extract can help protect neurons from injury. Furthermore, they can promote memory, learning, and cognitive functionality.

If you have ADHD, this can be beneficial. Since your cognitive functions are hyperactive and unregulated, these effects may reduce ADHD symptoms. On top of that, you’ll also be able to regulate cognitive functions such as attention, memory retention, and mood regulations. ²

What Does the Research Say?

Unfortunately, there’s only so much research into pine bark’s effects on ADHD. This includes:

• In a 2006 study, pine bark extract showed promise in children with ADHD by calming hyperactivity and aiding in classroom attention. When the supplement was taken away, their symptoms reemerged. This led researchers to believe that pine bark extract had some effect. Not to mention, it’s a safe and therapeutic option to treat hyperactivity and other ADHD symptoms. ³

• In a 2016 introspective study, it was observed how pine bark extract and other natural treatment options worked in conjunction with pharmaceutical medication for ADHD. While the results were promising, the authors agreed that further research was necessary. ⁴

• In a 2017 study, Pycnogenol® and a placebo were given to a group of individuals with ADHD. Those who received Pycnogenol had reduced ADHD symptoms, whereas those who were given the placebo showed little change. However, the research team wanted to see more long-term results of Pycnogenol on other aspects of ADHD behaviors (i.e. anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors). They saw therapeutic benefits to the Pycnogenol blend of pine bark extract. ⁵

Pine Bark Extract and ADHD Dosage Recommendation

Pine Bark Extract is available in various forms, including dry powders, liquid tinctures, and capsules. Each product type will have varying strengths, depending on the brand.

For ADHD, studies found beneficial results from the brand Pycnogenol, which offers a standardized dose of 100mg, three times per day. For children, studies have only used 1mg capsules of Pycnogenol, taken once daily. ⁶

What are the Side Effects of Pine Bark Extract?

There aren’t too many severe side effects to pine bark extract. However, there are some mild ones: ⁷

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort

Pine bark extract may also promote

• Blood clotting
• Negative drug interactions
• Problems with autoimmune diseases

If you struggle with liver function issues, prolonged pine bark extract may cause complications. Furthermore, if you receive anti-rejection medication treatment, pine bark extract can harm your immunity.

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Pycnogenol ADHD Reviews

Since the natural herbal market is unregulated, it’s important to ensure you’re purchasing pine bark extract from a trusted source. Here are our top picks:

BulkSupplements provides pouches of pine bark extract in two sizes: 3.5 ounces to 11 pounds. They also manufacture capsules at 500mg dosage in a package of 100 gelatin capsules.

For pine bark extract they provide the following products:

• Their Pycnogenol blend supplement, at 100mg in 60 vegetarian capsules.
• An Arterial Protect blend, which includes Pycnogenol and Gotu kola. This can help to facilitate blood flow and vascular protection.

Currently, Health Origins provides three different options for Pycnogenol-blended capsules. They have three dosing options: 30mg, 100mg, and 150mg. Each of these products has various sizes, with one consisting of 60 capsules and another offering 120 capsules.

For pine bark extract, NOW offers two different options:

• One that contains the patented blend known as Pycnogenol. It’s a natural extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France. They have this blend in three different varieties: 30mg, 60mg, and 100mg.

• They also offer a generic pine bark supplement, which is available in 240mg in 90 vegetable capsules.

Swanson Superior Herbs offers its own blend of pine bark extract at 50mg in 100 vegetable capsules.

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Other Natural Alternatives for ADHD

While pine bark extract is a viable option for ADHD, there are others to consider:

Brahmi

Typically grown in tropical environments, Bacopa Monnieri (often referred to as Brahmi) has been used in herbal medicine for centuries. Namely, as a memory and cognitive aid. ⁸

Due to the neurological benefits of Brahmi, researchers looked into its impact on ADHD. They found that Brhami may decrease ADHD symptoms and is a safe and effective option. ⁹

Ginseng

For centuries, ginseng has been used to increase brain function and energy. There are several strains, with the Korean red ginseng showing some potential to ease ADHD symptoms. In one study, children with ADHD were given red ginseng over eight weeks. It was found to calm symptoms and reduce anxiety in social settings. ¹⁰

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is a naturally-sourced ingredient found in Asian and South African countries. It has active ingredients that are beneficial for brain development in children. On top of that, it helps regulate brain functionality in adults. ¹¹

Gotu kola’s active ingredients include vitamins B1, B2, and B6. These increase brain function and aid in calming overactive neurotransmitters. A study that looked into the benefits of gotu kola found it reduced anxiety (a common symptom of ADHD). ¹²

Omega-3s

Omega-3s are an essential nutrient that we naturally get from fish and other proteins. If you have a deficiency in omega-3s, you may struggle with brain functionality. More specifically, with neurotransmitters that help send information from neurons in the brain. ¹³

Those with ADHD have neurotransmitter and dopamine complications wherein they produce too much serotonin. An increase in omega-3 fatty acids can help stabilize neurotransmitters and reduce ADHD symptoms. Several studies have shown that omega-3s decrease hyperactivity, promote attention, and increase memory retention. ¹⁴

References

¹ Rohdewald P. A review of the French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol), a herbal medication with a diverse clinical pharmacology. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2002 Apr;40(4):158-68. doi: 10.5414/cpp40158. PMID: 11996210.

² American Association for the Advancement of Science: Pine bark reduces ADHD Statement

³ Trebatická J, Kopasová S, Hradecná Z, Cinovský K, Skodácek I, Suba J, Muchová J, Zitnanová I, Waczulíková I, Rohdewald P, Duracková Z. Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;15(6):329-35. doi: 10.1007/s00787-006-0538-3. Epub 2006 May 13. PMID: 16699814.

⁴ Ahn J, Ahn HS, Cheong JH, Dela Peña I. Natural Product-Derived Treatments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Safety, Efficacy, and Therapeutic Potential of Combination Therapy. Neural Plast. 2016;2016:1320423. doi: 10.1155/2016/1320423. Epub 2016 Feb 4. PMID: 26966583; PMCID: PMC4757677.

⁵ Verlaet AA, Ceulemans B, Verhelst H, Van West D, De Bruyne T, Pieters L, Savelkoul HF, Hermans N. Effect of Pycnogenol® on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2017 Mar 28;18(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s13063-017-1879-6. PMID: 28351412; PMCID: PMC5370458.

⁶ Robertson NU, Schoonees A, Brand A, Visser J. Pine bark (Pinus spp.) extract for treating chronic disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 29;9(9):CD008294. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008294.pub5. PMID: 32990945; PMCID: PMC8094515.

⁷ Li YY, Feng J, Zhang XL, Cui YY. Pine bark extracts: nutraceutical, pharmacological, and toxicological evaluation. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2015 Apr;353(1):9-16. doi: 10.1124/jpet.114.220277. Epub 2015 Jan 16. PMID: 25597308.

⁸ Aguiar S, Borowski T. Neuropharmacological review of the nootropic herb Bacopa monnieri. Rejuvenation Res. 2013 Aug;16(4):313-26. doi: 10.1089/rej.2013.1431. PMID: 23772955; PMCID: PMC3746283.

⁹ Bhalerao S, Munshi R, Nesari T, Shah H. Evaluation of Brāhmī ghṛtam in children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Anc Sci Life. 2013 Oct;33(2):123-30. doi: 10.4103/0257-7941.139057. PMID: 25284947; PMCID: PMC4171854.

¹⁰ Lee SH, Park WS, Lim MH. Clinical effects of korean red ginseng on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children: an observational study. J Ginseng Res. 2011 Jun;35(2):226-34. doi: 10.5142/jgr.2011.35.2.226. PMID: 23717065; PMCID: PMC3659525.

¹¹ Chandrika UG, Prasad Kumarab PA. Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica): Nutritional Properties and Plausible Health Benefits. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2015;76:125-57. doi: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2015.08.001. Epub 2015 Oct 1. PMID: 26602573.

¹² Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, Shlik J. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2000 Dec;20(6):680-4. doi: 10.1097/00004714-200012000-00015. PMID: 11106141.

¹³ Dempsey M, Rockwell MS, Wentz LM. The influence of dietary and supplemental omega-3 fatty acids on the omega-3 index: A scoping review. Front Nutr. 2023 Jan 19;10:1072653. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1072653. PMID: 36742439; PMCID: PMC9892774.

¹⁴ Widenhorn-Müller K, Schwanda S, Scholz E, Spitzer M, Bode H. Effect of supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on behavior and cognition in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2014 Jul-Aug;91(1-2):49-60. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2014.04.004. Epub 2014 May 28. PMID: 24958525.