Cluster Pine

It iss a pine native to the Mediterranean region.

The buds, leaves, young branches and bark are used. The leaves and buds contain turpentine, essential oil and rosin. The bark contains flavonoids and anthocyanosides, turpentine, tannins, and pynogenol. It also contains leucocyanidol, with anti-hemorrhagic properties. Properties attributed as vasoprotectors and antioxidants. Commission E of the German Ministry of Health approves the use of essential oil and turpentine in respiratory colds and topical use in arthralgias, myalgias and neuralgias.

Since the last update we have not found any published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Except for turpentine, pine extracts are devoid of toxicity and used sparingly are compatible with breastfeeding.

Precautions when taking plant preparations ^{(Anderson 2017, Powers 2015, Posadzki 2013, Efferth 2011, Kopec 1999, Hsu 1995)}:

• • Make sure they are from a reliable source: poisonings have occurred due to confusion of one plant with another with toxic properties ^{(Hsu 1995)}, poisonings due to containing heavy metals extracted from the soil, and food poisoning due to contamination with bacteria or fungi. ^{(Anderson 2017)}
• • Do not take in excess; follow the recommendations of expert phytotherapy professionals. “Natural” products are not good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause poisoning or act as endocrine disruptors if consumed in quantity or for an exaggerated time because they contain phytoestrogens. ^{(Powers 2015, Zava 1998)}