Pine Bark - Lesson 1

8 July 2025

Pine Bark Extract

I thought July would be a good month to address the many queries I get on Pine Bark extract and why I always tell clients to take with VigourCells.

Ok a quick recap, VigourCells contains some of the best network antioxidants (vitamins C, E, alpha lipoic acid, coQ10 and precursors to glutathione), methylated B vitamins, selenium, magnesium and inulin, in the world. Truly, it will be very hard to find a similar product with the same purity and quality of the ingredients. I know cos I made sure I got the best and also many customers have told me they searched many places but can never find the same. So if you like VC, it’s only available at Elixir Botanica (EB).

Likewise, Pine Bark.

Now Pine Bark is like Robin, the side kick of Batman. They work synergistically together.

While Pine Bark extract has excellent and many antioxidant properties, they are not network antioxidants - though it helps to prolong the lifespan of network antioxidants.

So I decided to prepare a series of lesson to enlighten you on what is PineBark, what does it do, how to find the best and what is it in PineBark that is so important to our health?

Just fyi, many years ago, before I decided to make Pine Bark supplement, I spoke to a Professor of Botany who was also a Molecular Biologist with  a very keen interest on the use of plant extracts to kill cancer cells.  He was doing key research in cancer therapy at IMCB.

I asked him, tell me, what is the most effective botanical killer of cancer cells. I truly expected him to say ‘turmeric’. But no he said OPC.

And so that piqued my curiosity and I took a deep dive into the rabbit hole to find out more.

Now before I even spoke to the Professor, I must also confess that I had used Pine tea to cure myself of severe UTI and my young son then of a chronic fungal infection that affected the entire sole of his foot. Months of itchy painful red wet blisters with bleeding and peeling skins. What a nightmare for a 9 year old and you can imagine how as a mother I felt when all the visits to the doctor, tons of anti-fungal cream etc didn’t work. But I prayed and God gave me a concoction. I did it and I saw the miracle healing that happen overnight after my son soaked his foot in my special pine foot bath. What the doctor could not do for my son, mummy did.  His infection left and he healed truly overnight. And it never came back.

Hence, I became even more interested in this plant.

What is it about these special powers that is found in the humble pine tree?

Tune in tomorrow and let me share more of the details with you.

Remembering Christ in the Christmas tree. There is indeed power in the name of Jesus Christ.

Agape,

Rosemary

Pine Bark - Lesson 2

9 July 2025

What is OPC?

I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s pine bark story so let’s continue today with lesson 2.

Someone asked, ‘what is OPC?’

I know many of you already know but hey, it’s always nice to revisit an old friend.

So here goes.

What Are OPCs – and Why Are They So Important?

OPC stands for Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins — a group of powerful plant-based antioxidants found in pine bark, grape seed, berries, and certain fruits.

But not all antioxidants are equal. OPCs are among the most potent and bioavailable natural antioxidants known to science.

Why Are OPCs So Critical for Health?

OPCs protect your body at the cellular level, especially where damage from oxidation, inflammation, and poor circulation starts.

(Just fyi, EB Pine Bark was exactly what my health partner recommended when he detected high viscosity in his patients’ blood especially after Covid mRNA vaccination and infection.)

Here’s why OPCs matter:

1. They Neutralise Free Radicals

Every second, your cells are attacked by unstable molecules called free radicals. OPCs “quench” these radicals before they can cause DNA damage, premature ageing, or chronic disease.

2. They Protect Blood Vessels and the Heart

OPCs strengthen capillaries, veins, and arteries, improving blood flow and reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, varicose veins, and diabetic complications.

3. They Support the Brain and Nerves

By improving circulation and reducing inflammation in the brain, OPCs can support focus, memory, and protection against age-related cognitive decline.

4. They Reduce Inflammation and Boost Healing

Whether it’s joint pain, skin flare-ups, or internal inflammation, OPCs help calm the immune response and speed up tissue repair.

5. They Enhance Cellular Regeneration

OPCs work synergistically with other antioxidants (like vitamins C and E, lipoic acid, and glutathione) to regenerate tissues and delay cellular ageing.

OPCs in Pine Bark – A Rich, Bioavailable Source

French maritime pine bark extract contains some of the highest concentrations of OPCs available in any natural source — up to 70% in purified extracts like the one used by Elixir Botanica.

Because OPCs are small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier, they can offer full-body protection — from your skin to your brain, heart, kidneys, and even your eyes.

Most People Are Deficient in OPCs

Modern diets are low in natural OPCs due to poor-quality food, pesticides, and soil depletion.

Supplementing with a pure source like pine bark extract helps restore what your body urgently needs.

So this is why I decided to invest in manufacturing the best pine bark extract I could do, in order to obtain my “Batman” network antioxidants in VigourCells and my “Robin” Pine Bark side kick for the complete experience.

Pine bark extract helps to boost the lifespan and protective properties of network antioxidants longer.

Now do you get it and why these 2 should always be taken together?

But why didn’t I just easily combine Pine Bark into VigourCells?

Truth is I did and that was the first approved NPN licence from Health Canada.

But a scientist girlfriend spoke to me and asked if there is anyone who can’t take pine bark extract? Or are there any cautions going with it. Like age?

I thought about this and hence, in order to ensure that VigourCells will be available to 100% of people, kids, fur and aquatic kids included, I decided to put in a lot more financial resources and do them separately. This is the real story of the birth of Elixir Botanica VigourCells and PineBark.

Nice to finally be able to tell of their genesis.

Pine Bark - Lesson 3

9 July 2025

Many have asked me, what is Pine Bark for?

Well, here is a clear and well-organized breakdown of the benefits and uses of pine bark extract, especially when it’s French maritime pine bark like what is used by Elixir Botanica. 

Benefits & Uses of Pine Bark Extract

1. Improves Blood Circulation

• Strengthens capillaries and blood vessels

• Enhances blood flow, especially to the brain and extremities

• Helps cold hands and feet, leg cramps, and poor wound healing

✅ Used for: Varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, leg swelling, edema and even erectile dysfunction.

2. Protects Heart & Blood Vessels

• Lowers blood pressure naturally

• Reduces cholesterol oxidation

• Inhibits platelet aggregation (helps prevent clots)

✅ Used for: Hypertension, stroke prevention, atherosclerosis, and heart health maintenance

3. Boosts Brain Function

• Enhances memory, focus, and mental clarity

• Supports better blood flow to the brain

• May protect against cognitive decline

✅ Used for: Brain fog, ageing brain, ADHD support, and students needing focus

4. Potent Antioxidant Protection

• Rich in OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins)

• Neutralises free radicals and slows cellular ageing

• Works synergistically with vitamins C & E

✅ Used for: Anti-ageing, reducing oxidative stress, chronic fatigue, cancer prevention

5. Anti-Inflammatory & Immune-Modulating

• Reduces systemic inflammation

• Helps regulate overactive immune responses

• May reduce allergic sensitivity

✅Used for: Arthritis, asthma, eczema, histamine intolerance, and autoimmune support

6. Protects Eyes and Vision

• Improves microcirculation to the retina

• Supports eye health, especially in diabetes and macular degeneration

✅ Used for: Diabetic retinopathy, dry eyes, visual fatigue, age-related eye degeneration

7. Supports Blood Sugar Control

• Enhances insulin sensitivity

• Reduces blood sugar spikes after meals

✅ Used for: Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance

8. Improves Skin Elasticity & Glow

• Increases collagen production

• Protects skin from UV damage and pigmentation

• Reduces skin inflammation

✅ Used for: Ageing skin, hyperpigmentation, dull skin, and acne-prone skin

9. Promotes Detox & Liver Support

• Assists in liver detox pathways

• Reduces oxidative stress in the liver

✅ Used for: Post-medication liver support, hormonal detox, and environmental toxin exposure

So many good health benefits from the bark of a tree. All natural, all powerful.  What’s there not to like?

Hope by now you can understand why pine bark extract is an excellent addition to your daily supplement.

Haven’t started yet, I would strongly encouraged you to for longevity and good health.

Besides the above benefits of Pine Bark, I wonder how many know of its fertility prowess as well? A girlfriend told me how after being barren for many years after marriage, she decided to feed her husband with pine bark. Shortly after she conceived and now they have a gorgeous, wonderfully talented son who plays  classical music professionally. This is why at my age, their son only just completed his NS and going to university now. She truly believes pine bark has a lot to do with their baby. I believe so too.

Why? This is the probable reason:

The Root Problem: Oxidative Stress

Oxidative damage is a key cause of poor sperm, weak erections, hormone imbalance, and reproductive decline. Pine bark is a cellular-level antioxidant that neutralises this damage — supporting regeneration, not just symptom relief.

What’s there not to like for his and her good health.

Tomorrow I will do the final 2 lessons I have planned for you in Pine Bark.

I am now planning a special buy 3 get 1 free pine bark promo for those who like to get some to try.

Pine Bark - Lesson 4

10 July 2025

🌲 Why Elixir Botanica Only Uses French Maritime Pine Bark Extract

At Elixir Botanica, we chose the best source of pine bark extract—from the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster)—because your health deserves nothing less.

Here’s why:

Clinically Proven Benefits

French maritime pine bark is the only pine bark backed by over 160 studies, showing powerful results for:

- Heart & blood vessel health

- Brain & memory support

- Eye & vision protection

- Antioxidant & anti-ageing benefits

- Blood sugar & inflammation balance

- Skin health

- ⁠Improved micro-circulation.

High in OPCs (65–75%)

These are the antioxidants that protect your cells from damage. Many other pine bark products don’t even standardise their OPC content — ours does.

Sustainably Harvested & Solvent-Free

Sourced from a protected forest in southwest France, using a water-only extraction method (no chemicals). This ensures maximum purity and potency.

Strictly Tested & Verified

Every batch is tested for identity, purity, and freshness. You can even tell by how quickly it oxidises when exposed to air — a sign of real, active antioxidants. This is one of the reasons why we sell in 60 capsule bottles.

At Elixir Botanica, we don’t cut corners. You get the same species and same benefits as the famous Pycnogenol®️ — at a more accessible price.

Because healing should always begin with quality. 🌿

Pine Bark - Lesson 5

11 July 2025

Today, I like to do the last and final lesson #5 for the EB Pine Bark, which is why it’s powder in capsules and not tablets or loose.

EB Pine Bark contains 25mg French maritime pine bark powder and 25mg vitamin C. The reason is because this was created to follow Dr Lester Packer’s recommendation of adding at least 20mg of pine bark (he called it pycnogenol) to boost the daily network antioxidants we take.

So EB’s PineBark is a perfect accompaniment to VigourCells.

In this formulation, I made it easy too if we have to give to our children or to increase the dosage for special health needs. Hence, we have full control over how much we like or need to take.

EB Pine Bark is packaged in 60 capsules bottles. The reason is because, customers had a number of oxidation issues when we sold them in 120 capsules bottles before - some capsules were turning brown before they finished the last few pills in the bottle. So I decided it was best to keep the numbers smaller so as to retain freshness longer, once opened. It’s great to finally also explain to everyone why we sell Pine Bark in 60 capsules only.

For Elixir Botanica, when it comes to pine bark supplements, powder in capsules is the best form. It delivers pure extract with no fillers, avoids heat or compression that can degrade antioxidants, and dissolves quickly in the stomach.

Tablets often require binders and are slower to absorb, while loose powder is messy, oxidizes quickly, and is hard to dose. Elixir Botanica uses premium pine bark powder in capsules to ensure purity, potency, and fast absorption.

Only the best for you and me.