Among alternative treatments recommended for treating infertility, use of herbs like pycnogenol is regarded as the safest and most undemanding option. Pycnogenol is a traditional herb that has been used in the treatment of various diseases. It is an extract of the French Maritime pine tree—a rare species of trees native to France. The bark of tree is dried and grated from which pycnogenol is later extracted.
Some herbalists use the bark in a powdered, less-refined form. The use of pycnogenol is well-documented, and it is commonly listed among the components of branded, food supplements. The effects of pycnogenol are reputed to help an individual overcome fertility-related problems along with boosting the overall, sexual health.
Pycnogenol Herb Usage for Treating Infertility
Pycnogenol is among the very few herbs that are equally applicable for solving male and female infertility issues. The curative properties of pycnogenol are directly linked to the blend of rare biological compounds found in the bark of the French pine tree. This includes:
Antioxidants
Pycnogenol contains a blend of bio-flavonoids like catechin and fruit acids like phenolic acid that are known for their curative properties. Pycnogenol also contains OPCs or Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs). These compounds are among the most potent of antioxidants and are found in very rare plants. They have the ability to fight-off cellular damage in the body induced by a chronic condition. This is why pycnogenol is often recommended in the treatment of cancer patients. This also makes it an effective supplement for treating individuals wherein infertility has been induced by underlying infections or inflammation that isn't responding to conventional medications.
This is particularly true for infections like uterine infections in women and intestinal infections in men. The antioxidant properties of this herb act like a scavenger of free radicals. They stimulate the synthesis of antioxidative enzymes that help to fight-off external causes weakening the immunity levels of an individual.
Endothelial Nitric Acid
The presence of this compound is largely responsible for giving pycnogenol its ability to stimulate the reproductive organs. This is because nitric acid found in pycnogenol has the ability to gradually widen the blood vessels. Among people wherein the internal inflammation has caused formation of tightly-packed fibrous bands, the circulation of blood is highly impaired. Reduced circulation impairs the functionality of critical organs like the uterus and fallopian tubes in women. Blocked fallopian tubes are caused due to the presence of such fibrous bands that cannot be diluted by conventional drugs and are too risky to treat through surgery.
Similarly, blood vessels in the vagina are often compressed by an overlying fibroid or cyst that makes the vagina dry and incapable of supporting coitus. Uterine tissues too lack contractions needed for the appropriate placement of a fertilized egg unless they are properly stimulated through greater circulation of blood. The widening of blood vessels caused by pycnogenol increases the overall flow of blood in the reproductive organ. This effect of pycnogenol also makes it an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that is very useful in women struggling with painful cramps during menstruation.
Among men, pycnogenol is known to improve the overall quality of sperm, including its motility and vigor. This variety of nitric oxide is known to combine with a compound called L-arginine that is naturally found among humans to initiate a chemical reaction that helps to cure erectile dysfunction.
Basic Precaution
It is recommended that before using pycnogenol as a supplement for treating infertility, the professional advice of a certified herbal healer is sought. Though this herb is largely safe and doesn’t present any contraindications, its usage might be restricted in people using other medications.
