Three Herbal Remedies for Cellulite

Cellulite is one of the most common aesthetic complaints, with 85-98% of women affected at some point after puberty. It mainly occurs anywhere between the upper hips to the thighs, where young women typically gain fat during adolescence, and can be difficult to get rid of. With the beauty industry making millions off supposed "cures" for cellulite, many wonder, what actually works? Turns out that, once again, nature may be able to do what technology can't. Instead of high-tech machines, licorice root, horse chestnut and gotu kola may be three of the best remedies for cellulite.



Nam bai bua bok, a juice containing gotu kola.
Source: Takeaway (CC: 3.0)

Women are prone to cellulite because fat around the hips, thighs and buttocks is stored in a vertical chamber arrangement. This is reserved for nourishing a foetus in hard times, so it usually doesn't respond to diet and exercise. But while cellulite is common, it is true that not all women have it. The Nurnberger-Mulle Scale classifies cellulite into four stages: stage 0 is no dimpling, even on pinching; stage 1 is dimpling on pinching (where I sit on this scale); stage 2 is on pinching and standing; and stage 3 is constant dimpling regardless of standing or lying. To reduce the appearance of cellulite, we must first find the root causes of its visibility. These are the stress hormone cortisol; connective tissue integrity and blood vessel health.

Cortisol aggravates cellulite by increasing fat storage under the skin. A constituent of licorice, glycyrrhetinic acid, blocks the enzyme that allows cortisol to deposit fat. In a study testing a cream containing this compound (at 2.5%), the treated women saw a reduction in superficial thigh fat by 10%. Topical usage of licorice extracts or compounds allows a therapeutic dosage without the risk of sodium retention or raised blood pressure, which contradicts its use in some people.

Gotu kola is a medicinal herb that has been used for centuries to help fight aging. It can reduce inflammation and support collagen production, which benefits both the skin and blood vessels. In a study of oral gotu kola extract on cellulite, it was able to both shrink fat cells and reduce the fibrous tissue between them. Gotu kola may even help with capillary circulation in diabetic patients, with research showing significant improvement on ultrasound and less leakage.

Horse chestnut is another herbal remedy that can reduce inflammation and improve circulation. One constituent of horse chestnut, known as escin, can boost circulation by increasing blood vessel tone, which allows blood to flow unrestricted. A randomised trial even found that taking horse chestnut extract was as effective as compression stocking therapy. While this is a common intervention for venous insufficiency, it can be inconvenient and inappropriate for hot climates. A Cochrane review, considered to be the highest standard of evidence, also found that oral horse chestnut extract improves blood vessel insufficiency.

While cellulite is annoying and hard to shift, it is not impossible. Nature, once again, seems to hold more answers than we give it credit for, even though high-tech beauty treatments are expensive and ineffective.