And so here comes this bizarrely named herb. Due to its long tradition in herbal medicine, it has in recent years come to the attention of scientists who have subjected it to a great deal of research. Without boring you with a lot of hyper-technical discussion, let’s just say that many of the studies done of the herb indicate a capacity for activating the human body’s production of the substances, which fortify those connective tissues.

An additional fact found in many research reports and studies conducted is that Gotu Kola boosts circulation and flow of blood, explaining its long history as a traditional treatment for diseases affecting the skin. It has also been used and proven effective in the treatment of varicose veins and other ailments resulting from reduced circulation. The most trusted professionals in both the beauty and medical industries agree that improving blood flow is a key element in the reduction of cellulite. A number of other studies have reported finding that it helps by causing the lymph system to eliminate unnecessary fluids – this type of retained water is linked to causing more severe cases of cellulite.

And, that’s not it.  Gotu Kola is one of very few herbs that actually has a clinical trial to back up its claims of efficacy on cellulite.  In this study, 65 women with cellulite, who had already made various unsuccessful attempts to reduce their cellulite, were given Gotu Kola for three months.  At the conclusion of the trial, more than 75 percent of these women saw a difference in their cellulite.  Fifty-eight percent reported their results as ‘very good’ and twenty percent reported their results as ‘satisfactory’.

Want to know more about this ‘magic’ plant? Well if you’re of a scientific disposition and want to look it up, here’s a bit of help. It’s a tropical creeper and its name is Centella asiatica, and you’ll sometimes find it spelt Gota Kola instead or Gotu. Got it? Good, and have fun among the boffins.

The supplement Gotu Kola is available at pharmacies and health food stores.  It is recommended that you take 30mg three times a day for cellulite.  Herbalists say that this is enough to strengthen your connective tissue and keep your skin smooth.  When dried, this herb can be used to make a tea for you to drink a few times a day.  Ask the health food store or herbalist that you purchase it from the best way to use it.  If you only like brown tea for with your biscuits, make sure that you purchase the tincture form of this herb and then simply squeeze a couple of drops into your tea.

Ointments and topical treatments which contain Gotu Kola are massaged into the skin, which it moistures and hydrates. These types of oils are available to buy online, and also some salons include oil or other ointments in their anti-cellulite packages. Similarly to other ways of shifting cellulite, this herb should be regarded as an important element of your overall treatment plan, rather than relying upon it alone. Remember that spending money and time on Gotu Kola products is ultimately pointless if you continue an unhealthy lifestyle that includes junk food, lack of exercise and improper hydration.

If you are pregnant or taking a prescription medication you should consult a medial professional before taking any herbal treatment including Gotu koli to prevent adverse interactions.

Q: All these dissimilar ways of consuming this medicinal herb have left me bewildered. Do I swallow a capsule, brew it in teapot or rub it on my butt? What should I do?

A: It is best to take the herb in it’s unadulterated form instead of combined with filler ingredients or watered down.  Find the dried herb at a health food store and make a tea.  Use a teapot with an internal infuser.  You can also rub lotion into your skin in addition to drinking tea.

Q: Can I grow Gotu Kola in the herb patch in my garden then, so I’ve got a readymade supply?

A: Probably not, unless you happen to live on the edge of a marsh in the tropics. But it’s becoming more popular, so you should be able to find it in a herbalist’s or health food store.

Where to Buy Gotu Kola

Apples and Pears
These two  fruits both have a gentle laxative and diuretic effect, assisting the body in getting rid of unwanted toxins as well as helping to reduce water retention. They contain pectin, a water-soluble fibrous substance that helps to promote the natural muscle contractions of the digestive system and keep the colon healthy. Pectin also aids in lowering the cholesterol levels in the blood. Apples and pears are, in addition, great sources of the metallic element potassium,which is essential to the body and can help in re balancing water and other fluid levels in the body, prevent the retention of water and enhance the appearance of cellulite. They also are rich in  many other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C. It’s best to eat apples and pairs unpeeled to keep their fibre content high and also because many of the good nutrients are found in the skin.

Berries
Berries – whether they’re blueberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, raspberries or even exotic goji berries or acai berries – are one of the best foods available for your skin and in helping to beat cellulite. They are packed with polyphenols, antioxidising agents that can help fight the harmful effects of free radicals. Blueberries are also very rich in anthocyanins, the antioxidant purple pigment that assists in strengthening capillaries and maintain the blood flow through the tiny vessels deep inside the skin.

Hummus

Chickpeas, which are the key ingredient of hummus, contain large quantities fructo-oligosaccharides, a good variety of fibre that helps to maintain a positive level of bacteria in the digestive system. Just like all varieties of beans and lentils, chickpeas are a great source of protein and slow-release carbohydrate. These types of complex-carbohydrate do not cause a rapid increase of sugar in the blood, the ones that cause the peaks and troughs in energy levels that many people experience and that can lead to the urge to snack or even drowsiness. Instead, they provide a more constant source of energy to the body as they are slowly broken down, helping the body to stabilise blood sugar levels and control the appetite. Hummus is also rich in calcium, an important component in the breaking down of body fat, and iron, which is crucial for producing red blood cells.

You may be slightly disappointed when you first see the patches as they look a bit too small to do very much, but when the ingredients are absorbed they’re dispersed over a much larger area than just the patch itself.

The typical ingredients are similar to those in cellulite creams. Caffeine is a common one thanks to its metabolic boosting properties and ease of absorption into the skin. Other common ingredients are usually herbal, mineral or seaweed aimed at draining the fluid from an area, increasing the circulation or improving the skin’s appearance.

Thanks to the close contact to the skin for a prolonged period, many ingredients are also ‘heat activated’ for improved efficiency and performance. Some also actively warm the skin, so you may experience something similar to a ‘deep heat’ sensation.

Patches are being used for some pretty serious medical conditions, so there is no doubt that the principle is sound and demonstrates the power that patches can have. That said, there’s not too much in the way of hard evidence they can be effective on cellulite, but as part of a cellulite-reduction plan they can perhaps be quite effective.

Eat more dried fruits! Prunes, raisins, apricots, figs etc…

Rich in potassium, which are ideal for reducing salt in the body, dried fruits can be an excellent food for cellulite reduction. They are also excellent at fluid intolerance reduction and cutting down the impact of toxins in the body. Even better, dried fruits are rich in zinc, a vital component if you’re trying to reduce fat.

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Why Does Cellulite Appear On The Thighs?

The thighs are possibly the most likely area for cellulite to develop and is often the first place a woman will notice having cellulite at all. The reason for this is that it is the most likely to suffer from a stagnant circulatory and lymph system, being where many of us plant ourselves for much of the day and unlike our bottoms, don’t benefit as much from the regular muscle adjustments associated with being sat down.

Also, women are naturally built to store fat in their thighs and hips (another common cellulite area). These areas have six times as many fat-storing cells as areas in the upper body. This tendency to store fat means cellulite is more likely to appear.

What Can be Done About Thigh Cellulite?

The best thing we can advise is following our ‘How To Get Rid Of Cellulite’ article, it explains the factors you need to consider and suggests what treatments to use.

It works just as well on the body as the face too, and can help treat spot-ridden backs and stretch marks as well as cellulite. It can’t cure or make cellulite go away, but it can make the skin where cellulite is present look much healthier and feel much smoother and exfoliation is known to make other treatments (such as body wraps or creams) more effective through increasing the absorption.

Does it work?

The treatment is operated by a technician who uses a hand-held gun to spray tiny crystals on to the skin. These tiny particles, under high pressure, gradually exfoliate the skin in a similar way to how a sandblaster operates, stripping away the dead skin cells on the surface and helping to clear the lumps, bumps and open the pores.

Some other techniques use a diamond-tipped rod, rather than tiny particles, to the same effect. Usually after the treatment the therapist will moisturise the skin with a specialised cream to help protect the fresh layer of skin and it’s recommended the procedure is repeated every eight weeks for best results.

Can it hurt?

It’s not as bad as it once was as the therapy has been refined, but few would describe it as a pleasurable experience. That said, it’s not likely to be as uncomfortable on the bum as it is on the face so don’t let the rumours put you off if you are considering microdermabrasion on your cellulite areas. Once done you’ll also need to be careful in the sun as the fresh skin can be sensitive.

DIY

If you’re not feeling glush enough to go for a course of spa treatments, consider the do it yourself at home options that have come on the market. These kits feature many of the same products and a powerful exfoliant. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully and not go overboard.

Women develop and store more fat when oestrogen is present in higher concentrations in their bodies, storing it particularly in the thighs, hips and bottom- the most common areas for cellulite. The positive reason for this is simply that it makes women more fertile and ready to support a child. Indeed, research has found that pear-shaped women are more fertile than slender women- presumably due to evolutionary pressures that favoured women who stored fat to raise more children successfully.

Another reason that oestrogen may be linked to cellulite is that it encourages fluid retention, which as we know can be a significant contributor to the bulging of fat cells. (see ‘How To Get Rid Of Cellulite’)

It’s not feasible to try and reduce your levels of oestrogen, nor can you determine where your body decides to store fat, but you can make sure that you give it less to store with a healthy diet. Be sure to sign up to our email list for regular tips and suggestions on healthier eating.

When you visit the salon and undress, the spa therapist will then apply the paste, smearing your waist, bottom and thighs. They’ll then wrap you in a type of cling film, or gauze and you’ll be left to lie and relax for an hour. After this you’re unwrapped, cleaned, moisturised and you should have smoother, firmer skin and possibly be an inch or two smaller.

This type of treatment has a large number of positive effects on the body, including helping to balance the circulation and metabolic processes, relaxation in the muscles and healing the skin due to the antiseptic effect of seawater. The compounds are also rich in iodine which can aid in the regulation of hormones.

It’s for this very reason that so many head to the dead sea every year, it’s mineral rich waters having been a popular bathing spot since Roman times.

These marine products, whether done at home or at a spa, are considered to be great cellulite fighters on the basis that they can rehydrate the skin and boost circulation, so if you suspect the reason you’re suffering cellulite is due to water retention Body Wraps could well be a good way to go.

The use of the cling-film is to encourage sweating and dispensing of the excess fluid (hence the reason for the inch and weight loss), so be sure to drink plenty of water afterwards to make sure you’re hydrated.

Overall, the treatment can be very relaxing, and helps your skin to look and feel much better. The effects, particularly those based on the fluid reduction won’t last forever, but with other cellulite-lifestyle adjustments can make a positive impact on the dimples.

Banish the memories you might have of cross-country runs at school, where a sadistic gym teacher would send you running unprepared around a windy field. The trick to starting running and actually enjoy the experience is to start slow and build up your stamina gradually. By keeping you goals realistic and not pushing too hard too soon, you’ll quickly work your way to running consistently.

On of the wonderful things about running is that it’s a great mood booster, releasing plenty of ‘happy’ endorphins in the brain that we get when we experience pleasure. So if you’re feeling low because of your cellulite or weight, all the more reason to get running. Research has been undertaken that showed exercise can be at least as effective as anti-depressants when it comes to treating mild cases of depression- no wonder so many are addicted to it! And don’t forget the direct health benefit to your cardiovascular system. Contrary to popular belief, running can also be beneficial for your bones, with the load bearing exercises helping to osteoporosis.  Plus, a half hour of good physical exertion three or more times a week can reduce your risk of breast cancer by 3o%.

Running is also a good cellulite fighter because it targets your lower body, increases the blood circulation (see ‘How To Get Rid Of Cellulite’), burns fat and builds muscle. A good steady-paced run burns over 34o calories in 3o minutes and even increases your metabolic rate after you’ve finished your workout. Just be sure not to turn to poor quality foods afterwards, it’s easy to start devouring chocolate as your body craves sugar.

Running can help you to get in shape up all over. A recent study showed that women who run more than ten miles each week have thinner waists and narrower hips than women who don’t exercise as much. They also have lower blood pressure and higher levels of good cholesterol.

For detailed information on how to get started running, See Our Premium Area.

Firstly, a wheat intolerance is not the same thing as a wheat allergy; which are quite rare. No, a wheat intolerance, which a much larger number of people suffer from to varying degrees, is when you feel quite uncomfortable or even have pain in the stomach after eating a wheat based meal. Other symptoms include headaches, bloated feelings and excess fluid retention, which can lead to worse cellulite.

When the digestive system doesn’t work as efficiently as it can it often mans that it won’t absorb the nutrients of a well balanced meal quite so well, meaning your best intentions can be undone. It can also mean that the toxins that your body aims to rid itself of aren’t being processed quite so quickly, which can contribute to worsening cellulite.

If you do have a wheat intolerance however, the options available aren’t necessarily restrictive or limited solely to health food stores. Most leading supermarkets now have wheat-free aisles that can offer alternatives for the wheat-sensitive and whilst it’s likely that you may have to make some sacrifices to avoid the uncomfortable feelings, you may be able to handle some small amount of wheat.

So if you do find yourself feeling particularly bloated or with stomach pains after a meal, you should always examine what you’ve just eaten to determine if it was possibly a cause. As with any health issue, if you do think you may be intolerant consult a doctor to make sure this is the reason. If it is determined that you have a wheat intolerance then you may want to try some of these replacement suggestions:

Sandwiches

Busy working lunchtimes can be really tricky for the wheat intolerant, but a positive from this may be that you may start to look at the other healthier options available. Salads and soups are the ideal alternative with many options available on the high street.

Pasta

Thankfully if you enjoy pasta, you won’t have to worry as there are plenty of wheat-free past options available.

Cakes/biscuits

Opt for fresh fruit if possible, or if that doesn’t work there are several wheat free, low-sugar alternatives. Anything with oats instead of wheat is also a good option. Just remember to avoid sugar as well if you’re aiming to lose cellulite.