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Joe Duggan writes: . Has anyone given pycnogenol the same fair trial that >seems to be so freely given to new drugs which always seem to have negative >side-effects? > Hi Joe, I have been using pycnogenol for about 2 years, usually in the 60-120 mgs/day dose range. I began using it for its anti-inflammatory properties, and was able to drop the prescription non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drug that I had been dependent on for years, and that was chomping holes in my stomach lining. I read the stuff about its anti-oxidant properties, penetrating the BBB etc and decided to continue its use. I am not aware of any actual direct effect on my PD symptoms, however I now take 1/2 the sinemet that I took a year ago, and consider myself very stable (little to no progression) after 8 years of battling the dragon. I could not say whether this is because of pycnogenol, or any of the other supplements I use, or purely the grace of God. Probably all of the above. In any event, I consider pycnogenol to be a vital part of my PD treatment, I would not consider dropping it for any reason, and I use it every day. BTW, there are 2 kinds, the grape seed extract, and the maritime pine bark....I can not tell the difference subjectively, but unless funds are very tight I opt for the maritime bark source. One reason is that no matter what the claims, I have trouble believing that there is a pesticide-free grape alive anywhere in the US. Cheers, Kathie Tollifson [log in to unmask]