When applied twice daily for 28 days alongside diet and exercise, a lotion containing gotu kola (plus caffeine, aminophylline, yohimbe, and L-carnitine) reduced thigh circumference by 1.2 cm compared to 0.8 cm with placebo. It also reduced skinfold thickness and fat mass more than placebo, but here's the catch: participants were already dieting and exercising—so gotu kola's solo contribution is unclear.

Seven women followed a calorie-restricted diet and walked 150 minutes per week. Half their body (one leg) got the gotu kola lotion; the other leg got placebo. Researchers measured thigh size, fat thickness, and fat mass before and after 28 days.

Funding not disclosed in abstract