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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Pine Bark Extract vs Tongkat Ali: Pine Bark Extract has the stronger overall evidence (5.5 vs 6/10); they're alternatives for libido & male vitality — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Pine Bark Extract wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Likely helps
3 of 4 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
1 of 2 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
100-200mg daily
Morning with food, Can be divided into two doses
Pycnogenol (standardized extract)
100-200 mg standardized extract (the cited trials used up to 200 mg a day). Label products go up to 400 mg, above that dose.
Morning, With or without food
Standardized root extract (100:1 or 200:1)
4-8 weeks
6-12 weeks
4-8 weeks
Initial use
4-12 weeks
2-4 weeks
2-4 weeks
Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020) · Meta analysis · n=7690
Two of the 56 studies with efficacy data tested French maritime pine bark extract. The pooled results are for phlebotonics as a class, not for pine bark alone.
Pine bark (Pinus spp.) extract for treating chronic disorders
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020) · Meta analysis · n=1641
In a mixed group of participants with type 1 and type 2 DM we do not know whether pine bark extract decreases HbA1c (MD -0.20 %, 95% CI -1.83 to 1.43; one study; 67 participants; very low-certainty evidence).
Effect of pycnogenol supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020) · Meta analysis · n=922
Pooled analysis suggested that pycnogenol supplementation can reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) of (-3.22 mmHg; 95% CI [-5.52, -0.92]) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; -1.91 mmHg; 95% CI [-3.64, -0.18]).
Immunomodulation in Middle-Aged Humans Via the Ingestion of Physta® Standardized Root Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack--A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2016) · Rct · n=84
Eighty-four of 126 screened middle-aged Japanese subjects took 200 mg/day of TA or rice-powder placebo for 4 weeks. 81 were analysed (40 TA, 41 placebo).
[Literature research and discussion on properties of a new oversea-introduced traditional Chinese medicine Malaysian ginseng(Tongkat Ali)]
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (2024) · Review
Narrative literature review assigning traditional Chinese medicine properties to Tongkat Ali. It reports no search method and tests no outcome.
Effect of Eurycoma longifolia standardised aqueous root extract-Physta® on testosterone levels and quality of life in ageing male subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study
Food & Nutrition Research (2021) · Rct · n=105
105 men aged 50-70 with testosterone <300 ng/dL took Physta 100 mg, 200 mg or placebo daily for 12 weeks.
The dose points come from one randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 105 men aged 50 to 70 with low testosterone (PMID 34262417), who took 100 mg or 200 mg a day of a standardised water extract (Physta) for 12 weeks. Total testosterone rose more than on placebo at week 12 with 100 mg, and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 with 200 mg. The trial did not report that 200 mg beat 100 mg directly, so no optimal dose is given. It found no clinically relevant safety changes at either dose, which is why the ceiling is 200 mg. An uncontrolled study of 76 men with late-onset hypogonadism also used 200 mg a day for a month and found testosterone rose (PMID 21671978). A meta-analysis of 5 trials found a significant rise in total testosterone (PMID 36013514) but does not compare doses.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Pine Bark Extract has a higher evidence score (5.5/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For libido & male vitality, Tongkat Ali has a higher relevance score (85 vs 60).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.