I read a recent article in a health book which states Gotu Kola is good for celluite and circulation in the legs. I noticed from your information there is no mention of this. Can you please confirm?
Gotu kola leaf (Centella asiatica or Hydrocityle asiatica) is an Ayurvedic herb traditionally used for longevity, as a brain and memory tonic and for skin healing in leprosy and tumours. Thomas Bartram, in "Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine" (available at Richters) states that the Chinese use this herb for infertility, insomnia, crumbling nails, impaired vision, chronic sinusitis, sexual debility and the juice of fresh leaves for some venereal diseases.
Alan Tillotson in "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" (Kensington Publishing Corp. 2001) states that studies focussed on healing skin and connective tissue have shown its efficacy in treating keloids, leg ulcers, phlebitis, slow-healing wounds, leprosy, surgical lesions, cellulitis, burns, dermatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.
Bartram lists the following actions for gotu kola: adaptogen, alterative, de-toxifier, bitter, diuretic, digestant, powerful blood tonic, central nervous system relaxant, emmenagogue, Ginseng-like effect, antibiotic (ointment and dusting powder).
In my answer to a question on cellulite, I do suggest either nettles or gotu kola as a blood tonic. The blood tonic action of nettles and gotu kola is important to leg circulation. For more information on cellulite, please see our website at
www.richters.com. Choose "Q&A" from the main menu, then choose "Search Richters Q&A", and enter the word "cellulite" for the search.