What is pycnogenol? Where and how is it sold?

All sections on pycnogenol are written by Laura Clift <LauraRuss(AT)aol.com>.
Numbers in parentheses refer to the section on "Pycnogenol references".

Pycnogenol, a.k.a. Revenol, is a substance that has been mentioned in
misc.health.diabetes as an aid/cure for several diabetic complications.
Pycnogenol is a bioflavanoid, also identified as an oligomeric
proanthocyanidin (OPC) and a procyanidin, which is found in the bark of
conifers, specifically the maritime pine (_Pinus maritima_) and the Canadian
spruce (_Tsuga canadensis_) and in grape seeds. The substance was patented in
the US (patent 4,698,360) in 1985 by J. Masquelier of France.

Pycnogenol is sold on several web sites in addition to health food stores. The
web sites are set up in a pyramid scheme with the claims of quick riches for
new distributors. Most of the sales pitches rely on first-person
"testimonials". Some pitches include a list of published scientific studies
that, according to the pitch, support the claims of the ad. In the following
sections I examine the sales claims, investigate the ad's publication list,
and establish a bottom line.