Korean Pine: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Korean pine is a tree that grows in parts of Asia. The nuts of Korean pine are eaten as a food. The nuts, needles, bark, and resin are used as medicine.

Korean pine is used for earaches, nosebleeds, to increase milk production during breastfeeding, weight loss, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Abnormal levels of cholesterol or blood fats (dyslipidemia). Early research shows that Korean pine needle extract doesn't improve levels of blood fats in people with borderline dyslipidemia.
Obesity.
Earaches.
Nosebleeds.
Increasing milk production during breast-feeding.
Parasites.
Burns.
Wound healing.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Korean pine for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Korean pine is safe. Korean pine nut might cause allergic reactions in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Korean pine is safe. Korean pine nut might cause allergic reactions in some people.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Korean pine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergy to pine and related plants: Korean pine nut might cause allergic reactions in some people. People who are sensitive to pine trees should avoid Korean pine nut.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Korean Pine
Korean pine nut oil might decrease blood pressure. Taking it along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of Korean pine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Korean pine. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Li K, Li Q, Li J, et al. Antitumor activity of the procyanidins from Pinus koraiensis bark on mice bearing U14 cervical cancer. Yakugaku Zasshi 2007;127(7):1145-1151.

Jin T, Albillos SM, Chen YW, et al. Purification and characterization of the 7S vicilin from Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis). J Agric Food Chem 2008;56(17):8159-8165.

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Shin S, Park S, Lim Y, Han SN. Dietary supplementation with Korean pine nut oil decreases body fat accumulation and dysregulation of the appetite-suppressing pathway in the hypothalamus of high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Nutr Res Pract. 2022 Jun;16(3):285-97.

Ryuk JA, Ko BS, Moon NR, Park S. Pinus koraiensis needle or cone extracts alleviate atopic dermatitis symptoms by regulating immunity and suppressing inflammation in HaCaT cells and Nc/Nga mice. J Food Biochem. 2022 Jul;46(7):e14135.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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