Can Gotu Kola Help Treat Varicose Veins?

Gotu kola supports and strengthens veins by multiple mechanisms:

• Asiaticoside, a major constituent of gotu kola, has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen.³⁸
• As demonstrated by clinical trial, gotu kola inhibits the production of enzymes that promote the breakdown of the mucopolysaccharide molecules that provide structural support to capillary walls.^38,39
• Studies show that gotu kola improves blood circulation and reduces the leakage from small capillaries.³⁸

With insufficient strength to return blood to the heart, weakened veins can develop venous hypertensive microangiopathy (VHM). Although it is not considered a risk factor for coronary disease like arterial high blood pressure, VHM can lead to varicose veins, edema, and even leg ulcers.³⁷ A number of human studies show that gotu kola can significantly improve these symptoms, including a randomized, controlled clinical trial that demonstrated significant improvement in VHM and no negative side effects with doses as high as 120 mg/day.^17,24