Gotu Kola: The Anti-Cellulite Herb
Generally speaking, all of the experts who have spent years studying cellulite agree that the unpleasant appearance of cellulite, with it looking similar to cottage cheese, is to due to the fact that it protrudes through the honeycomb of ‘connective’ tissue that is supposed to keep it in place. Imagine a flabby thigh inside a fishnet stocking that is a size too small. Well, if we could make these connective tissues stronger, so that they do their job correctly and keep the fat where it should be, then we would be making a huge advance in addressing the cellulite issue.
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