Bark has bite

Better Nutrition, March, 2005

Research conducted by Finnish scientists and published in the December 29, 2004 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that a group of anti-inflammatory compounds called phenolics--found in the bark of the Scotch pine, a popular choice for Christmas trees--may prove effective in fighting arthritis and pain.

This preliminary study found that highly purified preparations of Scotch pine bark extract had potent anti-inflammatory activity. More research is needed to determine how much of this extract might be required to be effective and whether it may cause harmful side effects.

Likely, the compounds, which have shown promise in laboratory tests with cells, will be found in the bark of other species of pine trees as well.

Earlier research suggested that pine bark extract may have the potential to help treat high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease and skin cancer, according to the study authors.