Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Asia, for various health concerns, including skin health. Its use for cellulite is primarily based on traditional and empirical practices rather than robust scientific validation. Traditional Ayurvedic and folk medicine systems have recommended gotu kola for improving circulation, wound healing, and skin appearance. The rationale is that its phytochemicals, including triterpenoids such as asiaticoside and madecassoside, may help strengthen connective tissue, enhance collagen synthesis, and support microcirculation, all of which are believed to play a role in the development of cellulite.

A limited number of clinical studies, mostly small and preliminary, have explored gotu kola’s effects on cellulite. Some research has suggested that oral or topical preparations may reduce the appearance of cellulite, possibly through improved venous tone and lymphatic drainage. For example, a few European studies from the 1970s and 1980s reported modest improvements in cellulite with Centella asiatica extracts. However, these studies often lacked rigorous controls or large sample sizes, and more recent, high-quality research is lacking.

Overall, while the use of gotu kola for cellulite is rooted in traditional practices and some early, low-quality scientific studies, there is insufficient strong evidence to fully validate its effectiveness. Most support comes from historical use and theoretical mechanisms rather than modern clinical trials.

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