Herb & supplement monograph

Korean Pine Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated June 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Korean Pine interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Korean Pine is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Korean Pine is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Korean Pine Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Korean Pine drug interaction appears low for most people. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and every one traces back to a single theoretical concern about blood pressure that has not been confirmed in humans.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The one area worth attention is blood pressure medications. Animal research found that Korean pine nut oil lowered blood pressure in rats, so in theory adding Korean Pine to an antihypertensive could push blood pressure too low. This has not been shown in people, but blood pressure is a closely watched measure, so anyone on these medicines should be aware of the possibility and mention new symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness to their care team.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications can look worrying, but it does not mean each combination is harmful. Every entry reflects the same single, theoretical blood pressure effect applied across the many drugs in that category. Because the supporting evidence comes from animal research only, the practical risk for most people taking Korean Pine remains unproven rather than established.

Check your medications against Korean Pine

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Korean Pine interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Korean Pine

172 medications have a known interaction with Korean Pine, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

2,830 drugs
AcebutololRhotral, Sectral› AcetazolamideAk-Zol, Diamox› AliskirenTekturna› AmbrisentanLetairis, Volibris› AmilorideAmilamont, Midamor› Amiloride, HydrochlorothiazideAmil-Co, Amilzide, Moduret 25, Moduretic› AmlodipineNorliqva› Amlodipine BenzoateKaterzia› Amlodipine BesilateIstin› Amlodipine BesylateNorvasc› Amlodipine Besylate, BenazeprilLotrel› Amlodipine, CelecoxibConsensi› Ammonium ChlorideAmmonium Chloride› AprocitentanTryvio› AtenololAtenix, Tenormin› Atenolol, ChlortalidoneAtenixCo, Tenoret 50, Totaretic› Atenolol, ChlorthalidoneTenoretic› AzilsartanEdarbi› Azilsartan, ChlorthalidoneEdarbyclor› BenazeprilLotensin› Benazepril, HydrochlorothiazideLotensin HCT› BendroflumethiazideAprinox, Naturetin, Neo-NaClex› Bendroflumethiazide, NadololCorzide› Bendroflumethiazide, Rauwolfia SerpentinaRauzide› BenzthiazideExna› BetaxololBetoptic, Kerlone› BisoprololZebeta› Bisoprolol, HydrochlorothiazideZiac› BosentanTracleer› BumetanideBurinex›
Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Korean Pine combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
The big picture

The kinds of drugs Korean Pine affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Korean Pine is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Korean Pine interacts with
Antihypertensive Drugs
Antihypertensive Drugs

Animal research shows that Korean pine nut oil reduces blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Theoretically, Korean pine may increase the risk of hypotension when used in combination with drugs that lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monograph

Korean Pine: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Korean Pine is best known as the source of edible pine nuts and pine nut oil, which are nutritious foods rich in healthy fats. While some early research looks at pine nut oil for appetite and cholesterol, strong human evidence for any specific health benefit is limited. Treat it mainly as a food, and check with your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated extracts.

Scientific name
Pinus koraiensis
Family
Pinaceae
Part used
Seeds (pine nuts), seed oil, nuts, bark, and needles
Common forms
Pine nuts (food), pine nut oil (capsules or liquid), needle tea, extracts
People commonly use it for
  • Appetite control and weight management
  • Heart and cholesterol health
  • General nutrition and energy
  • Skin and antioxidant support
  • Cough and respiratory comfort (traditional)

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

The nuts and oil are generally safe as food, but concentrated supplements are less studied.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) is a large evergreen tree native to parts of East Asia, including Korea, northeastern China, Japan, and far-eastern Russia. It is one of the main trees grown for edible pine nuts, which come from its cones.

People mostly use Korean Pine as a food. The pine nuts are eaten on their own, added to dishes, or pressed into pine nut oil. The oil and seed extracts are also sold as dietary supplements. In traditional medicine, parts of the tree such as the needles and nuts have been used for general nourishment and respiratory comfort.

How it works

Korean Pine nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, protein, vitamin E, magnesium, and other nutrients. One fatty acid that has drawn research interest is pinolenic acid, which lab and small human studies suggest may trigger gut hormones that signal fullness.

The needles and other parts contain plant compounds such as polyphenols that show antioxidant effects in the laboratory. These mechanisms are mostly based on test-tube and animal research, so it is not certain they lead to real benefits when taken by people.

Effectiveness

Does Korean Pine work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by .

Evidence overview · 1 use evaluated
1 Insufficient evidence
How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.
2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.
3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.
4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.
5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.
6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.
7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

For Korean Pine, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 1 condition — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Dyslipidemia
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

A small clinical study in people with mild dyslipidemia (total cholesterol 200-239 mg/dL) shows that taking an extract of Korean pine needles 600 mg orally twice daily for 12 weeks does not significantly improve levels of any serum lipid.

Sources Ref 97259

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

Korean Pine nuts and pine nut oil are widely eaten and are generally considered safe as foods for most people. Concentrated supplements and extracts have been studied much less, so their long-term safety is not well known.

Allergies: People with tree nut allergies should be cautious, since pine nuts can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Eating pine nuts as part of a normal diet is likely fine. However, there is not enough safety information on concentrated pine nut extracts or supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is best to avoid those products unless your doctor approves.

As with any supplement, talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you have a medical condition or take other medicines.

Side effects

For most people, pine nuts cause few problems. Some people may notice digestive upset or an allergic reaction.

One well-known but uncommon effect of eating certain pine nuts is a temporary bitter or metallic taste in the mouth that can last a few days, sometimes called "pine mouth." It usually goes away on its own and is not dangerous.

Serious reactions are rare, but seek medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling, trouble breathing, or throat tightness.

Dosing

There is no established standard medicinal dose for Korean Pine or pine nut oil. As a food, pine nuts are simply eaten in normal amounts as part of meals.

For pine nut oil capsules or extracts, follow the directions on the product label, since strength varies between products. Because reliable dosing information is limited, check with your pharmacist or doctor before using a concentrated supplement.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Korean Pine & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Korean Pine & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 2 references that drive our Korean Pine monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Sugano M, Ikeda I, Wakamatsu K, Oka T. Influence of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis)-seed oil containing cis-5,cis-9,cis-12-octadecatrienoic acid on polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism, eicosanoid production and blood pressure of rats. Br J Nutr 1994;72(5
  2. Lee H, Kim H, Choue R, Lim H. Evaluation of the Effects of Pinus koraiensis Needle Extracts on Serum Lipid and Oxidative Stress in Adults with Borderline Dyslipidemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complemen
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Korean Pine

2 brands in our database make a supplement containing Korean Pine.

Product directory

Supplement products with Korean Pine

2 products in our database contain Korean Pine. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Korean Pine: Common Questions

What is Korean Pine used for, and does it work?
People use Korean Pine for a range of reasons, but according to the Natural Medicines database the current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm it works for the specific conditions it has been studied for. See the graded list on this page, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before relying on it for any condition.
Does Korean Pine interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 172 medications with a known interaction with Korean Pine. Use the checker above to see how Korean Pine interacts with a specific drug.
How are Korean Pine interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Korean Pine with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Korean Pine interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is Korean Pine used for?
It is mainly a source of edible pine nuts and pine nut oil. People use these as food and in supplements aimed at appetite control, heart health, and general nutrition, though strong proof for specific health benefits is limited.
Are Korean Pine nuts safe to eat?
Yes, for most people pine nuts are a safe and nutritious food. People with tree nut allergies should be careful, and some people get a harmless temporary bitter taste afterward.
Can pine nut oil help me lose weight?
Some early research suggests pine nut oil may slightly reduce appetite by affecting fullness hormones, but it has not been clearly shown to cause meaningful weight loss. Don't rely on it as a weight-loss treatment.
Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Eating pine nuts as food is likely fine, but concentrated extracts and supplements haven't been studied enough, so it's best to avoid those unless your doctor says otherwise.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Keep exploring

Products that contain Korean Pine

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list Korean Pine — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

See all 2 products with Korean Pine →
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