In a double-blind study, 94 patients (86 men, 8 women; ages 20-80) with venous insufficiency of the lower extremities for an average of 14 years, were randomized to one of three treatment groups: a triterpenoid extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) at a daily dose of 60 or 120 mg or placebo for three months. Individuals who took gotu kola at either dose demonstrated significant clinical improvements in limb heaviness (p=0.033), edema (p=0.026), and global evaluation of efficacy (p=0.05). Venous distension, measured by plethysmography, was significantly better in the active group at 40 mmHg (p=0.08), 50 mmHg (p=0.055) and 60 mmHg (p=0.09), compared to deteriorating placebo values