Pycnogenol

Indication: Leg, ankle swelling

Source: Clin Appl Thromb Hemost, July 2005;11(3):289-94.

Research: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 169 subjects, who were tested in flight for ankle swelling. Before the flight, ankle size was similar for the control group and participants who supplemented with Pycnogenol.

Results: Upon arrival, untreated passengers showed increased ankle swelling, which was almost twice as high as in the group of passengers supplemented with Pycnogenol. The researchers demonstrated that Pycnogenol prevents swellings by strengthening the veinous walls. This, they said, enables veins stretched by pooled blood to better resist the increased pressure, letting less liquid seep into the tissue, and hence less swelling to occur.