Treat tinnitus with pine bark

Thursday, October 14, 2010 by: Ethan A. Huff, staff writer
Tags: pine bark, tinnitus, health news

(NaturalNews) A new study out of Chieti-Pescara University in Italy has found that extract from the bark of French maritime pine trees is effective at treating tinnitus, a hearing condition that can cause severe ringing, hissing, and rushing noises. Research indicates that pine bark extract, which is rich in antioxidants, helps to improve blood flow to the ear and thus eliminate tinnitus symptoms.

"Impaired blood flow to the ear is a common cause for tinnitus, a disturbing and very debilitating condition that can considerably impact overall health and quality of life," explained Dr. Gianni Belcaro, lead researcher of the study. "With few options available for treatment, this study gave us the opportunity to explore a natural solution to tinnitus symptoms and its causes."

When compared to a group not receiving the treatment, patients given Pycnogenol, a branded form of the pine bark, experienced a significant improvement in blood flow to their inner ears after just four weeks of treatment. And among those taking Pycnogenol, those in the high dose group (150 mg/day) experienced even greater improvements that those taking lower doses (100 mg/day).

Researchers also observed an overall improvement in felt symptoms among those taking Pycnogenol. Pain symptoms were reduced by 41 percent in the low dose Pycnogenol group while the high dose group experienced a 63 percent reduction in pain symptoms.

"The study clearly indicates Pycnogenol's ability to improve vascular function and restore cochlear blood perfusion, which in turn relieves the severity of tinnitus symptoms," stressed Dr. Belcaro. "The results provide further evidence of the supplement's natural efficacy for a variety of vascular health problems."

To learn more about the health benefits of pine bark extract, check out the NaturalNews Pycnogenol page at: https://www.naturalnews.com/pycnogenol.html

Sources for this story include:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-...