Pine Pollen Health Benefits & Uses

<script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context":"http://schema.org", "@type":"BlogPosting", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ben Kissam, BS" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Warrior Made", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.warriormade.com", "image": "https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/media/public/2020/03/pine-pollen-thumbnail-0117.jpg" } }, "headline":"Pine Pollen Health Benefits & Uses", "datePublished":"2019-03-25", "dateModified": "2020-03-25", "description":"Want to reduce inflammation and boost your testosterone with an all-natural supplement? Here’s a comprehensive list of the benefits and uses of pine pollen.", "image": "https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/media/public/2020/03/pine-pollen-thumbnail-0117.jpg" } </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is pine pollen?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Pine pollen is a grain that comes from the male spore of a pine tree. For centuries, two specific types of pine pollen (Masson pine and Manchurian red pine) have been used for their medicinal and health benefits. Usually sold as a fine powder, pine pollen is used to treat a variety of diseases and ailments, ranging from the common cold to arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is pine pollen good for?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Taken as a supplement, pine pollen can help ward off inflammation in the body, boost testosterone, reduce or reverse the effects of aging, and provide you with essential vitamins and minerals." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is pine pollen an allergen?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Pollen from any plant or tree, not just pine pollen, is an allergen for many people (approximately 20 percent of Americans). If you have an allergy to pine needles or pollen, you might need to avoid taking this supplement. Pollen allergies can cause watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing." } }] } </script> <article> <div> <ul> <li><a href="#section1">What Is Pine Pollen?</a></li> <li><a href="#section2">What Is Pine Pollen Good For? (4 Health Benefits)</a></li> <li><a href="#section3">Pine Pollen Dosage</a></li> <li><a href="#section4">The Takeaway</a></li> </ul> </div> <section> <p>Here's a fun fact: there are over 3 trillion trees in the world, and over 60,000 different species. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/04/how-many-tree-species-are-there-more-you-can-shake-stick-new-database-reveals" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1</a>}</p> <p>Of that staggering number, 115 of those species are various forms of pine trees. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6206191/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">2</a>}</p> <p>And contained within this family of pine trees are two specific types of pine that yield a powerful, potent, and healthy type of pollen.</p> <p>Nowadays, people are using these two types of pine pollen to reduce inflammation, boost testosterone, and reduce the effects of aging.</p> <p>Let's take a look at what pine pollen is, 4 extraordinary health benefits, and how much you should take to reap the benefits.</p> </section> <hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto"> <section id="section1"> <h2>What is pine pollen?</h2> <p>Pine pollen is a grain that comes from the male spore of a pine tree. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3345248/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">3</a>}</p> <p>For centuries, two specific types of pine pollen have been used for their medicinal and health benefits. (The first recorded use dates back to China more than 1,500 years ago.) ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.rawforestfoods.com/historical-and-chinese-medicine-perspective-of-pine-pollen/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">4</a>}</p> <p>There are approximately 115 different species of pine trees, but pine pollen only comes from a few specific sources^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6206191/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">5</a>}:</p> <ul> <li><i>Pinus massoniana lamb</i> (Masson pine)</li> <li><i>Pinus tabulaeformis Carr</i> (Manchurian red pine)</li> </ul> <p>Usually sold as a fine powder, pine pollen is used to treat a variety of diseases and ailments, ranging from the common cold to arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes.</p> <p>But, as studies emerge on the benefits of pine pollen other benefits have emerged.</p> </section> <hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto"> <section id="section2"> <picture class="lazy-load"> <source data-srcset="https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/blog-content/pine-pollen-benefits-0117.webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-srcset="https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/blog-content/pine-pollen-benefits-0117.jp2" type="image/jpf"> <source data-srcset="https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/blog-content/pine-pollen-benefits-0117.jpg"> <img src="https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/blog-content/pine-pollen-benefits-LR-0117.jpg" class="img-fluid" alt="pine pollen benefits"> </picture> <h2>What is pine pollen good for? (4 health benefits)</h2> <p>Taken as a supplement, pine pollen can help ward off inflammation in the body, boost testosterone, reduce or reverse the effects of aging, and provide you with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/macronutrients-vs-micronutrients/" rel="noreferrer">essential vitamins and minerals</a>.</p> <p>Here’s a detailed breakdown...</p> <h3>1. It can reduce inflammation</h3> <p>Multiple studies have shown that supplementing with pine pollen can reduce chronic inflammation in the body's tissues. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19107823" rel="nofollow noreferrer">6</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17273982" rel="nofollow noreferrer">7</a>}</p> <p>While inflammation is a natural process the body uses to heal itself, <i>chronic inflammation</i> is a state where your body's tissues are stuck simultaneously repairing and destroying themselves.</p> <p>Chronic inflammation is linked to several serious diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and heart disease. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">8</a>}</p> <p>This benefit is likely also why a 2009 study found that pine pollen might be an effective way to treat chronic arthritis (a joint disease that's largely the result of inflammation). ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19148883" rel="nofollow noreferrer">9</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518992/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10</a>}</p> <p>By taking an anti-inflammatory supplement like pine pollen, you can potentially protect yourself from these ailments.</p> <h3>2. It can naturally boost your testosterone</h3> <p>Pine pollen contains small amounts of testosterone, a hormone your body needs for a variety of reasons. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJP/article/view/84831" rel="nofollow noreferrer">11</a>}</p> <p>Testosterone is the primary male hormone responsible for reproductive health, fertility, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/foolproof-guide-to-building-lean-muscle/" rel="noreferrer">muscle mass</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/functional-strength-training/" rel="noreferrer">strength</a>, fat distribution, and the production of red blood cells. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526128/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">12</a>}</p> <p>(Men and women both have testosterone, though men naturally produce much more of it.)</p> <p>As we age, our body's natural testosterone levels decline. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4077344/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">13</a>}</p> <p>Low testosterone (low T) can cause a wide array of symptoms, from impaired cognitive function to depression to erectile dysfunction. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391003/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">14</a>}</p> <p>By eating foods with naturally-occurring testosterone, such as pine pollen, you can help maintain these levels.</p> <p>Because testosterone is influenced through your diet and other habits, you can also naturally boost your levels by following a healthy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/" rel="noreferrer">nutrition plan</a> and by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/" rel="noreferrer">adding lean muscle</a> through exercise.</p> <h3>3. It can help reduce or reverse aging</h3> <p>At least two studies have found that supplementing with pine pollen may reverse or reduce the natural effects of aging (besides declining T levels).</p> <p>Consider:</p> <ul> <li>A 2012 study called pine pollen an "attractive agent" for reducing the effects of aging because it can reduce negative activity in neurons (brain cells) that leads to cell death. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22577492" rel="nofollow noreferrer">15</a>}</li> <li>Similarly, another 2012 study found that pine pollen can limit oxidative damage to your mitochondrial DNA. Because the mitochondria are responsible for powering your cells (and thus your body), this means pine pollen can potentially reduce the effects of aging at a molecular level. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22994004" rel="nofollow noreferrer">16</a>}</li> </ul> <p>Basically, pine pollen can reduce cell death and keep the organelles (inside your cells) healthy, too. And when your cells stay healthy, they live longer, which helps promote healthy aging for your entire body.</p> <h3>4. It contains healthy micronutrients</h3> <p>Pine pollen is rich in nutrients, many of which positively impact human health. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4694268/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">17</a>}</p> <p>Here's a brief look at the benefits of the vitamins and nutrients in pine pollen:</p> <ul> <li><strong>B vitamins</strong>- enables the body to absorb nutrients from food, regulates the metabolism, and may decrease your risk of stroke. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1479519/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">18</a>}</li> <li><strong>Vitamin D3</strong>- prevents bone loss, and lowers your risk of diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1479519/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">19</a>}</li> <li><strong>Vitamin E</strong>- boosts immune system health, reduces the effects of aging, and helps keep your arteries from hardening. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997530/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">20</a>}</li> <li><strong>Essential amino acids</strong>- regulates blood glucose levels, rebuilds muscle tissue, and helps your immune system maintain homeostasis. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5628494/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">21</a>}</li> </ul> <p>A 2018 study found that pine pollen had an antioxidant effect on the body, meaning it reduced the number of free radicals (unstable cells) that can lead to cancer. ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017409/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">22</a>}</p> <p>So by supplementing with pine pollen, you know you're getting a healthy dose of essential vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals that promote overall health.</p> <picture class="lazy-load"> <source data-srcset="https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/blog-content/natural-pine-pollen-supplement-0117.webp" type="image/webp"> <source data-srcset="https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/blog-content/natural-pine-pollen-supplement-0117.jp2" type="image/jpf"> <source data-srcset="https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/blog-content/natural-pine-pollen-supplement-0117.jpg"> <img src="https://d1ghrtdbdq2gkr.cloudfront.net/blog-content/natural-pine-pollen-supplement-LR-0117.jpg" class="img-fluid" alt="natural pine pollen supplement"> </picture> <h4>Potential side effects</h4> <p>There are a few things to consider before taking pine pollen. Namely, whether you're allergic to pollen and the symptoms that come with excessively high testosterone levels.</p> <h4>Is pine pollen an allergen?</h4> <p>Pollen from any plant or tree, not just pine pollen, is an allergen for many people (approximately 20 percent of Americans). ^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6934246/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">23</a>}</p> <p>If you have an allergy to pine needles or pollen, you might need to avoid taking this supplement.</p> <p>Pollen allergies can cause^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4829390/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">24</a>}:</p> <ul> <li>Watery eyes</li> <li>Runny nose</li> <li>Sneezing</li> <li>Coughing</li> </ul> <p>And if you have asthma, pollen is also known to exacerbate symptoms.</p> <p>If you aren't sure whether you have a pollen allergy, always see a doctor first. it's a good idea to get bloodwork done first so you know for sure before supplementing with pine pollen. </p> <h4>Elevated testosterone</h4> <p>All hormones, including testosterone, must stay within a certain range for your body to be healthy.</p> <p>In the same way declining T levels can have side-effects, having too much testosterone in the body can be harmful, too.</p> <p>Symptoms of elevated testosterone include^{<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4212439/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">25</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3971358/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">26</a>}:</p> <ul> <li>Aggressive/irritable behavior</li> <li>Oily skin or acne</li> <li>Hair loss</li> <li>Sleep apnea</li> </ul> </section> <hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto"> <section id="section3"> <h2>Pine pollen dosage</h2> <p>Most serving sizes of pine pollen range from 3 to 5g. One scoop per day or a few smaller servings (half or quarter scoop at a time) is a safe amount for most people.</p> <p>As with all supplements, it is important to read the label and ensure you are only taking the recommended amount.</p> <p>Most pine pollen products are sold as a fine powder, so you can mix it into water, smoothies, or other liquids.</p> <p>As always, be sure to check with a doctor before adding a new supplement or food to your diet!</p> </section> <hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto"> <section id="section4"> <h2>The takeaway</h2> <p>Pine pollen is a natural supplement that can reduce aging and inflammation, increase testosterone, and provide your body with key vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy.</p> <p>It's crazy to think that grains from a tree can be so good for you. But plenty of science shows that the benefits of pine pollen are legitimate, and that many people have experienced notable boosts to their health by supplementing with it.</p> </section> </article>