[Latin Name]  Pinus pinaster.

[Specification] OPC ≥ 95%

[Appearance] Red brown fine powder

Plant Part Used: Bark

[Particle size] 80Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

[What is Pine bark?]

Pine bark, botanical name Pinus pinaster, is a maritime pine native to southwest France that also grows in countries along the western Mediterranean.  Pine bark contains a number of beneficial compounds that are extracted from the bark in a way that doesn’t destroy or damage the tree.

[How does it work?]

What gives pine bark extract its notoriety as a powerful ingredient and super antioxidant is that it’s loaded with oligomeric proanthocyanidin compounds, OPCs for short. The same ingredient can be found in grape seeds, the skin of peanuts and witch hazel bark. But what makes this miracle ingredient so amazing?

While OPCs found in this extract are mostly known for their antioxidant-producing benefits, these amazing compounds exude antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Pine bark extract can help reduce muscle soreness and may help improve conditions relating to poor circulation, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, diabetes, ADHD, female reproductive issues, skin, erectile dysfunction, eye disease and sports stamina.

Seems like it must be pretty amazing, but let’s look closer. The list goes on a bit further, as the OPCs in this extract may “inhibit lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and fragility, and to affect enzyme systems,” which basically means it may be a natural treatment for many serious health conditions, such as stroke and heart disease.

[Function]

1. Lowers Glucose Levels, Improving Diabetic Symptoms
2. Helps Prevent Hearing Loss and Balance
3. Staves Off Infections
4. Protects the Skin from Ultraviolet Exposure
5. Decreases Erectile Dysfunction
6. Reduces Inflammation
7.  Helps Increase Athletic Performance

RECIPE BELOW!
Here’s something fun to do with any leftover pumpkins… Roasted Pumpkin Soup served inside it’s shell with candied seeds on the side. This pumpkin might be the only thing that doesn’t get wasted over the holidays.
It might be a little tricky to make, but I promise it will be a treat. So watch closely!

ROASTED PUMPKIN SOUP

2 mini pumpkins
grapeseed oil (for frying)
1/2 onion, chopped
1 pc. fresh ginger, chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, chopped
scooped out roasted pumpkin flesh
2 cups of broth
1 cup coconut milk or heavy cream
garam masala, curry powder or cayenne pepper to heat things up
4+ tsp sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
sea salt to taste

Method
Preheat oven to 375. Rub pumpkins with oil and salt, then roast for 25-30 min. Meanwhile, fry onion, ginger & garlic in oil until browned. Add pumpkin flesh, broth & seasonings. Once the pumpkin has softened and blended with the other ingredients, take off heat. Add coconut milk or cream and blend with a hand mixer or in a blender until smooth & creamy. Pour soup into pumpkin shells and garnish with a drizzle of cream and a sprig of fresh mint.

CARNIVAL PUMPKIN SEEDS (revised from video)
*I gave them this name because they have a striking resemblance in taste and smell to the Elephant Ears you get at a carnivals.

seeds from two mini pumpkins
butter (melted on the stove)
sugar (brown or white)
cinnamon
sea salt

Method
Preheat oven to 250. Separate the seeds and give them a good rinse. Melt 3 TBS butter in a small pan on the stove. Pour seeds into the pan and mix to coat each seed. Pour buttered seeds onto a baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes. While they’re baking, combine 1/4 cup sugar with a few dashes of salt and cinnamon. Pull seeds out of the oven and sprinkle with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Put back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Bite into one to see if they’re done- blow on it first! They should be light and crispy, not soggy or tough. Cook 5 minutes longer, if necessary. Let the seeds cool a bit before putting them in your mouth.

A peek at honey bees cooling off in the shade and providing air conditioning to the hive