Folk remedies and varicose veins
Some of us would do just about anything to get rid of varicose veins, but they’re notoriously difficult to eliminate.
Many people have turned to folk remedies to treat varicose veins. One of the most popular remedies is gotu kola, which is said to increase blood flow and reduce swelling. A few contemporary studies have confirmed that gotu kola has beneficial health effects.
More information is needed to determine just how useful the herb is. That said, small amounts of gotu kola are harmless for most people and just might do you some good. Pregnant and nursing moms should ask their doctors about using gotu kola. Taking gotu kola is also not advised for people who have liver problems.
What is gotu kola?
The official name is Centella asiatica, though it’s known by several other names, including gotu kola, pennywort, and tiger herb. It is a member of the parsley family and grows in India, Southeast Asia, and Africa. It thrives at the edge of calm bodies of water, spreading its venous stems. The leaves and stems are the part of the plant we eat or use as a medicine. It has almost no flavor, not unlike the parsley you use to garnish a plate.
Gotu kola has been used as a medicine in the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, as well as in African and Chinese medicine. It’s also used to treat conditions as varied as syphilis, asthma, and psoriasis. You can also use it in food in the same way that you’d use parsley or watercress.