Herbal Remedy for Chronic Pain: Garcinia Kola

Posted By Jennifer Shipp | Apr 06, 2025

DISCLAIMER: CONSULT WITH A DOCTOR BEFORE DECIDING ON A TREATMENT PLAN FOR ANY DISEASE.

ome links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. We use this revenue to keep the site free to you.

Kola Nut: Herbal Remedy for Chronic Pain

The kola nut, also known as Garcinia kola, or Cola acuminata, is a plant that’s famous in Africa. It’s also known as bitter kola or false kola. It belongs to the same family as mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), Garcinia indica, and Garcinia cambogia, which are all medicinal plants that are used in different ways to accomplish different, but sometimes related health goals. In this discussion, we’re going to talk about the Garcinia species of plants with a special focus on Garcinia kola as an herbal remedy for a variety of health issues. Note, however, that Garcinia cambogia is also a focal point for those with chronic pain due to reproductive hormone imbalances.

Garcinia kola, in particular, has been studied in irresponsible ways, perhaps to obscure the true medicinal value of this plant. Or maybe the chaotic, irresponsible research is just how consensus science works. In some studies, for example, the Garcinia kola dose was incredibly high at 5000 mg (5 g) per kilogram of the subject’s body weight. This exaggerated, mega-dose of Garcinia kola has toxic effects on the reproductive organs of animals. But at a more comprehensible, though still rather high dose (200-500 mg / kilogram body weight), Garcinia kola is an herb that balances reproductive hormone levels in both men and women (though its effects in men and women is almost completely opposite) to heal complex health issues like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), fibromyalgia, neuropathy and nerve disorders, and digestive issues that are rooted in reproductive hormone imbalances. In terms of chronic pain, the Kola Nut specifically works to reduce prolactin levels, which in turn, makes the body less reactive in a negative way to stress. This may be part of the magic of this herb in terms of getting rid of chronic pain.

Click here to learn more about the DreamLight.app, a guided meditation and brain-entrainment tool.

Before we begin a full discussion of Garcinia kola, it’s important for readers to be aware that while male reproductive hormones have been studied in-depth in scientific circles, in terms of erections and treating erectile dysfunction, women’s reproductive hormones and their reproductive health is still a mystery. The way that reproductive hormones are studied in both men and women is completely haphazard. For example, animal studies dominate reproductive hormone research even though animals like rats have a reproductive hormone production pathway that is significantly different than in humans. In most studies, scientists look at just one reproductive hormone in terms of dose and examine how the addition of a synthetic or bioidentical form of the hormone impacts the entire system, but this isn’t how reproductive hormone physiology works. For example, the reproductive hormones like Follicle Stimulation Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), are both cued for release by Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) through different rhythms. Essentially, when the body is exposed to a certain amount or type of sunlight and/or moonlight (or other types of light), indicating a specific time of month during the year, GnRH taps out a rhythmic “beat” that causes either FSH or LH to be released. These hormones, in turn, produce their own rhythm and amplitude, in a crescendo (in healthy women, at least) that then quiets back down, like the notes of a song in a orchestra. In conventional medicine, doctors or scientists will inject in long, ugly, synthetic tuba-tones or a squeaky chorus of electronic clarinets into a symphony of acoustic music and then watch what happens as though doing such a thing has some kind of academic value. Are we really learning something by mega-dosing rats with a hormone like estrogen and then holding them over hot plates to burn them and then count how many times they writhe in pain?

In today’s world, there are ways to treat imbalanced reproductive hormones, but there is literally nothing in conventional medicine that’s safe for men or women in this domain. If you suffer from chronic pain, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, autoimmune disease, cancer, or any type of disease state that seems to have roots in reproductive hormones, then you have to seek treatment outside of conventional medicine. If you have taken birth control pills, synthetic hormones, or bioidentical hormones and you now have a reproductive imbalance as a result, you’ll have to look out beyond conventional medicine into fields like herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), or Ayurveda (among other things) to restore balance. If, as a woman, you’ve had a baby and then develop reproductive hormone imbalances, the same holds true for you. There’s a lot of hope for those with reproductive hormone imbalances, but to restore balance to the symphony, you have to find something that can orchestrate and conduct (or “steer”) the song of it. The Garcinia species of herbs have a lot to offer in this respect.

Garcinia kola is an important herbal remedy for PCOS, heavy periods, and low libido in women. It is a vital part of any protocol to overcome postpartum depression naturally although it should not be used during breastfeeding. For women's health, Garcinia kola and Garcinia cambogia are essential at-home treatments that really work.

Click here to schedule a health coaching call with us.

Garcinia kola / Cola acuminata Medicinal Benefits

Garcinia kola has been regarded as a panacea and a cure-all, by scientists who have studied it. Indeed, Garcinia kola works to treat some of the health issues that are really common in today’s world and it works through some truly interesting mechanisms of action to restore health in both men and women.

Click here to do a free trial of EMDR online.

Garcinia kola / Cola acuminata has been used to treat the following conditions:

Chronic pain control / analgesia
Ulcers
Diabetes
Liver disease
Diarrhea
Dysentery
Antimicrobial
Sexual dysfunction / aphrodisiac
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Menstruation Disorders
Cough
Abdominal pain
Laryngitis
Throat infection treatment
Bronchitis
Purgative / detoxifier
Immune system modulation
Atherosclerosis
Fever reducer
Whooping cough / pertussis
Malaria
Asthma (bronchodilator)
Antimicrobial
Stimulant
Lipolytic
Stimulates gastric juice secretion
Nausea and vomiting
Fertility regulation in men
Hypertension
Obesity
Liver disease
Glaucoma prevention
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome / PCOS
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Rheumatism

Kola nut is an extremely important medicine in the areas of the world where it grows naturally. It has an extremely low level of toxicity, yet it is highly effective at treating certain symptoms of disease.

Click here to buy Bitter Kola / Garcinia Kola powder.

The Home-Brewed Ko-Ka-Ko-La Cure - Learn all about Garcinia kola in this detailed guide!

Everything You Never Wanted to Know About the Treatment of Chronic Pain... and How to Avoid Painkillers That Will Eventually Kill You - BUY HERE!!!

Resources:

• Masuku, N. P. et al. (2020). Garcinia kola. Retrieved March 4, 2025 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/garcinia-kola

• Sweani-Rusike, C. R. et al. (2015). Dose- and time-dependent effects of Garcinia kola seed extract on sexual behaviour and reproductive parameters in male Wistar rats. Retrieved March 4, 2025 from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/and.12447

• Braide, V. B. et al. (2003). Effect of Garcinia Kola Seed Alkaloid Extract on Levels of Gonadal Hormones and Pituitary Gonadotrophins in Rat Serum. Retrieved March 4, 2025 from https://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?np03014

• Odo, F. et al. (2020). Effects of Crude Aqueous Extract of Cola Acuminata Pods on the Reproductive system of Male Albino Rats. Retrieved March 4, 2025 from https://ijml.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_id=351&sid=1&slc_lang=en&html=1

• Rana, S. et al. (2023). Dose Dependent Effects of Aqueous Extract of Garcinia cambogia Desr. Against Letrozole Induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Female Adult Rats with Possible Mechanisms Exploration. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10103256/

• Andueza, N. et al. (2021). Risks Associated with the Use of Garcinia as a Nutritional Complement to Lose Weight. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348889606_Risks_Associated_with_the_Use_of_Garcinia_as_a_Nutritional_Complement_to_Lose_Weight

• Lybrae (2025). Benefits of Kola Nut and Its Side Effects. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://www.lybrate.com/topic/benefits-of-kola-nut-and-its-side-effects

• Igbinoba, S. I. et al. (2016). Effect of dehusked Garcinia kola seed on the overall pharmacokinetics of quinine in healthy Nigerian volunteers. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4871276/

• Igbinoba, S. I. et al. (2016). In vitro study of interaction between quinine and Garcinia kola. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://www.tjpr.org/home/abstract.php?id=530&aTitle=In%20vitro%20study%20of%20interaction%20between%20quinine%20and%20Garcinia%20kola

• Tauchen, J. et al. (2023). Garcinia kola: a critical review on chemistry and pharmacology of an important West African medicinal plant. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11101-023-09869-w

• Kehinde, A. et al. (2016). Biflavonoid fraction from Garcinia kola seed ameliorates hormonal imbalance and testicular oxidative damage by anti-tuberculosis drugs in Wistar rats. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27089414/

• Erukainure, O. L. et al. (2021). Kolaviron: A Biflavonoid with Numerous Health Benefits. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33185157/

• Olajide, O. A. et al. (2021). Garcinia kola and garcinoic acid suppress SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein S1-induced hyper-inflammation in human PBMCs through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8661957/#:~:text=Garcinia%20kola%20extract%20reduced%20spike,when%20compared%20with%20unstimulated%20cells.

• Ibanga, I. E. et al. (2020). Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effect of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola) Seed Extract on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats. Retrieved March 5, 2025 from https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Hypoglycemic-and-Hypolipidemic-Effect-of-Bitter-on-Etim-Etukudoh/891f6d37e3f5d9419a37b1fa9507495b4bf03bd1

• Barbuscia, M. et al. (2010). Etiopathogenetic and clinical considerations of corpus luteum cysts. Retrieved March 8, 2025 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20426922/

• Kumar, N. et al. (2023). Estradiol-Progesterone Balance Paradigm: Heavy Menstrual Flow. Retrieved March 8, 2025 from https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_867-1

• Bogers, J. W. et al. (1991). Complications of anticoagulant therapy in ovulatory women. Retrieved March 8, 2025 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1671974/

• Phillipps, H. R. et al. (2020). Patterns of Prolactin Secretion. Retrieved March 8, 2025 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0303720719303818

• Al-Chalabi, M. et al. (2023). Physiology, Prolactin. Retrieved March 8, 2025 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507829/

• MacMurray, R. W. (2001). Estrogen, prolactin, and autoimmunity: actions and interactions. Retrieved March 8, 2025 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567576901000455#:~:text=Based%20on%20their%20endocrinologic%20interactions,suppress%20estrogen%20secretion%20%5B1%5D.

• Faron-Gorecka, A. et al. (2023). The Involvement of Prolactin in Stress-Related Disorders. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9959798/

• Olatoye, F. J. et al. (2024). The role of Kolaviron, a bioflavonoid from Garcinia kola, in the management of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024033644

• Dogara, A. M. et al. (2022). Biological Evaluation of Garcinia kola Heckel. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1155/2022/3837965

• Ijomone, ,O. M. & Obi, A. U. (2013). Kolaviron, isolated from Garcinia kola, inhibits acetylcholinesterase activities in the hippocampus and striatum of wistar rats. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4117109/

• Olatunji, S. Y. et al. (2021). Garcinia kola Attenuates MDMA-Induced Neuroinflammation in the CA1 Region of the Hippocampus in the Rat Model. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0972753120966852#:~:text=Garcinia%20kola%20(GK)%20has%20been,Methods:

• Ajayi, S. A. et al. (2011). The microstructural effects of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola (Linn) on the hippocampus and cerebellum of malnourished mice. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3614237/

• Aktas, A. et al. (2024). The effects of Garcinia kola and curcumin on the dorsal root ganglion of the diabetic rat after peripheral nerve transection injury. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891061824000085

• Leitzke, M. et al. (2025). Long COVID– a critical disruption of cholinergic neurotransmission? Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1186/s42234-025-00167-8?sharing_token=TSZyCVMBnNQ3QU66bTbch2_BpE1tBhCbnbw3BuzI2RODgDvexwIfZcmAmE9qMYfMU9pdczT02PpW41BXXvHcouP-ACB_4it1jhMLTjDnNAwPoQMKWRkkJTOewKQz5cpt4JPAghC2lN4ibwP1ZCrjuvi5dv9UFw85Uy3f3vwo7yM%3D

• Etet, P. F. S. et al. (2022). An Eluate of the Medicinal Plant Garcinia kola Displays Strong Antidiabetic and Neuroprotective Properties in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35356236/

• Ibironke, G. F. & Fasanmade, A. A. (2015). Analgesic and Central Nervous System Depressant Activities of Kolaviron (a Garcinia kola biflavonoid complex).Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajbr/article/view/126140

• Nkono, B. L. N. Y. et al. (2022). Antidiabetic and Antiradical Effects of Garcinia kola Seeds in Dexamethasone-Induced Hyperglycemic Rats. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9484509/

• Ilechie, A. A. et al. (2020). Oral consumption of Garcinia kola (Bitter kola) lowers intraocular pressure. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32275352/

• Adefule-Ositelu, A. O. et al. (2010). Efficacy of Garcinia kola 0.5% Aqueous Eye Drops in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20543944/

• Biondich, A. S. & Joslin, J. D. (2016). Coca: The History and Medical Significance of an Ancient Andean Tradition. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4838786/

• No Author (2025). Table of Biological Activities of Kolaviron. Retrieved March 10, 2025 from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11101-023-09869-w/tables/4

• Onasanwo, S. A. et al. (2015). The Impact of Kolaviron (A Bioflavonoid of Garcinia Kola Seed) On Depression Status in Laboratory Rodents: Roles of Monoaminergic Systems. Retrieved March 12, 2025 from https://austinpublishinggroup.com/depression-anxiety/fulltext/depression-v2-id1042.php