New Study: Pycnogenol® Naturally Reduces Common Cold Symptoms, Severity and Duration

Natural pine bark extract found to help relieve sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, cough, temperature and headache

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Dec 09, 2014, 11:00 ET

HOBOKEN, N.J., Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As cold and flu season reaches peak months, new research shows Pycnogenol^® (pic-noj-en-all), a standardized natural plant extract from French maritime pine tree bark, significantly shortens the duration of the common cold and reduces the severity of sore throat, congestion, headache, coughing and sneezing.

Pycnogenol(R) is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits.

"The common cold hits hard around this time of year, disrupting work hours, holiday plans and vacations. Those who seek over-the-counter remedies often trade some relief for side effects such as drowsiness. This study builds on previous research showing Pycnogenol^® offers measurable symptom-relief naturally, reduces the need for over-the-counter remedies, and shortens the duration of the common cold," said Dr. Steven Lamm, a physician and nutritional medicine expert.

According to the National Institutes for Health, Americans suffer 1 billion colds annually¹; this affects daily productivity costing each working adult an average of 8.7 lost work hours with an economic impact of nearly $25 billion.²

The peer-reviewed study, conducted at Chieti-Pescara University in Italy and published in the December 2014 edition of Panminerva Medica, included 146 participants between ages 25 – 65, all of whom were generally fit and in good health, and none of whom suffered from prior respiratory illnesses or had received a flu vaccination within three months prior to study inclusion.

At the first symptom, 70 participants elected to take the Pycnogenol^® 50mg twice daily in addition to their preferred best management; 76 participants in the control group relied on best management alone. Currently there is no best management for the common cold and left up to the discretion of the individual patient such as using a topical nasal decongestant or washing hands.

On average, symptoms of the common cold last five to ten days, said Dr. Lamm, with the first four days being the most severe. In the study, within four days of the first symptom, supplementation with Pycnogenol^® was shown to:

Reduce the number of affected days (3.1 days Pycnogenol^® / 4.2 days control)
Significantly reduce number of lost work days (0.55 days Pycnogenol^® / 0.67days control)
Significantly reduce demand for additional treatments including nasal drops, aspirin + Vitamin C, antihistamines and aerosols
Significantly prevent complications and extensions beyond four days
Significantly shorten the duration of all pillar symptoms including scratchy or sore throat, sneezing, running nose, cough, temperature and more.

"This study finds Pycnogenol^® to be a safe and effective natural remedy to treat symptoms of the common cold, reduce the number of affected days and decrease complications from the cold without side effects," said Dr. Gianni Belcaro, lead researcher of the study. "The significant effect of Pycnogenol^® to treat nasal congestion and runny nose can be attributed to the extract's natural anti-inflammatory, anti-edema and antioxidant qualities and for its ability to improve blood circulation. These findings are supported by decades of research on Pycnogenol^®'s ability to naturally boost the immune system."

Results in the study were self-reported using a visual analogue scale and the pillar symptoms, as defined by the Merck Manual, and were evaluated by the following symptoms: scratchy or sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, malaise, cough, temperature and headache.

While there is no standard treatment for the common cold, popular over-the-counter treatments include aspirin, pain relievers, fever reducers, nose drops and sprays, antihistamines and cough syrups.

"This study joins a body of research and confirms findings that Pycnogenol^® naturally boosts the immune system and significantly reduces the severity and duration of cold symptoms quicker than over-the-counter treatments alone," said Dr. Lamm.

To review the clinical research and additional information on Pycnogenol^®visit www.Pycnogenol.com. Pycnogenol^® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements and multi-vitamins worldwide.

About Pycnogenol^®Pycnogenol^®is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and phenolic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 40 years and has more than 340 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol^® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com.

About Horphag Research (USA) Inc.
Horphag Research (USA) Inc., based in Hoboken, New Jersey, is the North American distributor for Pycnogenol^® (pic-noj-en-all) brand French maritime pine bark extract on behalf of Horphag Research. Pycnogenol^® is a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd. For its patented ingredient, Pycnogenol^®, Horphag Research has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award, Nutraceutical Business & Technology Safety & Quality Award, SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and The American Botanical Council's Tyler Research Award. Horphag Research (USA) has the exclusive rights to market and sell Pycnogenol^® in North America and benefits from more than 40 years of scientific research assuring the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol^® as a dietary supplement. For more information about Pycnogenol^® visit www.pycnogenol.com.

¹	Common Cold. National Institutes of Health Medline Plus. Accessed at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/commoncold.html
²	Bramley TJ, Lerner D, Sames M. Productivity losses related to the common cold. J Occup Environ Med. 2002 Sep;44(9):822-9.