Evidence supporting the use of: Gotu kola
For the health condition: Hemorrhoids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is commonly used for conditions related to poor circulation, wound healing, and skin health. The rationale for its use in the treatment and support of hemorrhoids is based on its reputed ability to strengthen blood vessels, improve venous tone, and promote tissue repair. Traditional practitioners have used gotu kola orally or topically to reduce swelling, inflammation, and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids.
There is some limited scientific research suggesting that gotu kola extracts (often standardized to triterpenoid content) may have beneficial effects on venous insufficiency and microcirculation, which are relevant to hemorrhoid pathophysiology. Small clinical studies and reviews, mainly from the 1980s and 1990s, showed modest improvements in symptoms such as pain, edema, and bleeding in people with chronic venous insufficiency and, to a lesser extent, hemorrhoids. However, these studies are few, often lack rigorous methodology, and typically involve small sample sizes.
Overall, evidence for gotu kola's effectiveness in treating hemorrhoids is primarily traditional, with some preliminary clinical support for related venous conditions. The evidence quality is low to moderate (rated 2/5), and more robust, modern clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for hemorrhoid treatment.
Other ingredients used for Hemorrhoids
Aloe veragreen chiretta
apple
apricot
berry flavor
betel
bilberry
blackberry
butcher's broom
chamomile
citrus bioflavonoids
turmeric
dandelion
fiber blend (proprietary)
gotu kola
cellulose
horse chestnut
lemon
licorice root
Nettle
oregon grape
parsley
phellodendron amurense
plum fruit
prune
psyllium
rutin
slippery elm bark
Triphala
vitamin C
seaweed
Zinc
capsicum
punarnava
commiphora
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Rubia cordifolia
peony
Szechuan lovage
Morus
Myrrh
Morinda
birch
aster root
shepherd's purse
paw paw
geranium
sea salt
avens
apple cider vinegar
antler
anthraquinone
Ardisia
Angelica
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Abrus
Alchemilla
Aconite
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Aescin
anthocyanidins
Agrimonia pilosa
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Baliospermum
Blepharis
Brassica
bayleaf
bran
Barleria
bael
banyan
bioflavonoids
black nightshade
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
black root
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Chinese silkvine
Cucurbita
coconut oil
cactus
cinquefoil
Cyathula
chard
cabbage
chestnut
Cynodon dactylon
castor oil
Carthamus
colocynth
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Chondrus
Dianthus
Diosmin
elephant\'s head
escin
Embelia
fiber
Ficus simplicissima
hazelnut
Indian coraltree
Kokilaksha
lichen
Lycopodium
labrador tea
little ironweed
Methylcellulose
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mountain Pepper
Mucilage
Morning glory
Nymphaea nouchali
Nimbidin
Oak
Oroxylum indicum
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Onosma bracteatum
pagoda tree
Pluchea
Prunus
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
proanthocyanidins
Portulaca
Persimmon
Papayotin
Polygonum
Rosabin
Ruscus
Ruscogenins
Rosa laevigata
Rutosides
rhubarb
Shark Liver Oil
Sanguisorba
Sarivan
Sumac
Sword Bean
Terminalia
Tannins
Taraxacin
Troxerutin
Tamarind
Varuna
Wax Gourd
Witch Hazel
Winter Begonia
Yellow Dock
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by gotu kola
AbrasionsAnal Fistula or Fissure
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Backache
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Capillary Weakness
Carbuncles
Cellulite
Circulation (poor)
Convalescence
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Eczema
Edema
Fatigue
Gangrene
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Migraine
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Phlebitis
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Scars / Scar Tissue
Spider Veins
Stress
Stretch Marks
Wounds and Sores
Products containing gotu kola
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Designs For Health
Vessel Forte™