A specific brand of Pine bark extract, Pycnogenol®, was recently evaluated for its potential use in alleviating some of the symptoms of hay fever. Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is one of most common reasons for seeking medical attention and can often affect work and school performance. In the US an estimated 60 million persons, suffer from hay fever which is characterized with nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, etc. A new study in Phytotherapy Research (June 2010), 39 adults were evaluated in a double blind placebo-controlled study. The supplemental group was given Pycnogenol 5-8 weeks prior to and during tree pollen season. Results with the Pycnogenol group showed a 35 % decrease in eye related symptoms, and a 21 % decrease in nasal symptoms. Read More