A reader asked about this, which I have no covered yet. Increased allergies and mast cell issues often occur with microbiome dysfunction and chronic fatigue syndrome.

• Pycnogenol® (Extract of French Maritime Pine Bark) for the Treatment of Chronic Disorders [2012] “Due to small sample size, limited numbers of trials per condition, variation in outcomes evaluated and outcome measures used, as well as the risk of bias in the included studies, no definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy or safety of Pycnogenol(®) are possible.” Note dates of later studies below….
• Effect of Pycnogenol® on an Experimental Rat Model of Allergic Conjunctivitis[AC] 2018 “The animal model of AC was successfully developed by using aforementioned way. PYC is a safe herbal product and it has alleviated the findings of ovalbumin-induced AC-similar to dexamethasone-histologically in this experimental model.”
• Pycnogenol Ameliorates Asthmatic Airway Inflammation and Inhibits the Function of Goblet Cells [2016]
  • “PYC inhibited the number of total inflammatory cells and levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of OVA-induced mice”
• Allergic Rhinitis: A Proprietary Extract of Pinus Pinaster Aiton (Pycnogenol) Is Found to Improve the Symptoms Associated With Allergic Rhinitis [2016]
• Inhibitory Effects of Pycnogenol® (French Maritime Pine Bark Extract) on Airway Inflammation in Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Asthma [2013]
• Pycnogenol® Improvements in Asthma Management [2011]
• A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Exploratory Study to Evaluate the Potential of Pycnogenol for Improving Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms[2010 ] “With the limited number of 39 patients statistical predications were unattainable. In conclusion, Pycnogenol improved allergic rhinitis symptoms when supplementation was started at least 5 weeks before the onset of the allergy season.”
• Pycnogenol as an Adjunct in the Management of Childhood Asthma [2004]
• Pycnogenol Inhibits Immunoglobulin E-mediated Allergic Response in Mast Cells [2009]
• Pycnogenol Inhibits the Release of Histamine From Mast Cells [2003]

Bottom Line

The research to date suggests that it may take 2 or more months before significant benefits may be seen in some cases.