Garcinia kola: Herbal Remedy for MCAS
A mast cell developing in bone marrow tissue.One study looked at very low-dose Garcinia kola as a cure for type 1 diabetes. In this study, scientists found that 100 mg/kg body weight was too low of a dose to act as an herbal remedy for diabetes (a dose of 500-800 mg / kg body is more appropriate for diabetes). Though scientists demonstrated that a lower dose of Garcinia kola is not effective for diabetes, they also observed that this low dose was effective at calming Mast Cell Activation Syndrome / MCAS and allergic reactions. So as you learn about Garcinia kola / Cola accuminata, note that dosing matters and make sure that you get dosing right if you intend to use this plant to help you heal MCAS.
Garcinia kola, also known as the bitter kola nut, is an herb that has an extremely powerful and broad spectrum of action on the body via its impact on the endocrine system specifically (and thus the autonomic nervous system as well). This is the same herb that was once used in tandem with Erythoxylum coca (coca leaves) in the production of the original version of Coca-Cola. When it was originally developed, Coca-Cola was used mainly a pain-killer but it was also used to reduce inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions. Today, of course, Coca-Cola is nothing more than chemical flavorings and refined sugars, but back when it was first produced, it was a fermented herbal cure for inflammatory conditions and chronic pain. It has a broad spectrum of action on the body, just as you’d expect if you worked with either Garcinia kola or Erythoxylum coca separately as both of these herbs have a broad spectrum of action.
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Mast Cell Activation Syndrome / MCAS is a clonal blood disorder that results in the infiltration of organs by mast cells and uncontrollable degranulation. Though it is not widely recognized or noted that both primary platelet adhesion and aggregation (“clumping”) and secondary coagulation cascade effects (that lead to thrombin formation) are a part of MCAS, clotting abnormalities have frequently been observed in patients with this disorder. MCAS symptoms include:
- Skin flushing (hot, red or pink skin)
- Low blood pressure
- Itchy skin
- Nasal congestion
- Swelling, of the face, lips, eyes, tongue or throat (angioedema)
- Shortness of breath / dyspnea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea (sometimes alternating constipation and diarrhea, similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome / IBS)
- Abdominal pain
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MCAS and Organophosphate Poisoning
Modern-day readers with MCAS should also note that these symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of organophosphate poisoning. Organophosphate poisoning symptoms are, however, more serious in that, organophosphate poisoning itself is only recognized when symptoms reach a very high, very critical level. Organophosphates, after all, are prescribed as drugs in conventional medicine. These drugs are known as “bisphosphonates” and they won’t cause patients to experience “organophosphate poisoning” symptoms right away. Organophosphate poisoning is only recognized and diagnosed when a person is exposed to a very large quantity of organophosphates all at one time and that person develops symptoms). Organophosphates can build up in the body slowly though, specifically in the bone tissues (bisphosphonates are prescribed for low-density bone tissues and osteoporosis). In time, bisphosphonates cause dementia but most patients and doctors aren’t aware of this well-established link. Organophosphates, after all, are nerve agents. As such they impact the autonomic nervous system in a profound way.
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So, in order to understand why it’s important to think about organophosphate exposure in terms of MCAS symptoms (despite some differences in the symptom picture) you have to think about organophosphate poisoning as something that is mostly spurned in conventional medicine (because Big Pharma supports Big Ag in the use of organophosphate insecticides) and you have to know that organophosphates can build up in the bones and cause virtually no symptoms for a long period of time before a given individual reaches “critical mass” and begins having symptoms. This idea of “critical mass” in regard to the autonomic nervous system applies in terms biological overload (as with exposure to organophosphates) and also environmental data overload and emotional overload. Organophosphates are often easier for average people to understand, but they have a similar impact on the body in that, when they reach critical mass, the body becomes very sick. Organophosphates cause multi-system dysfunction and immune system dysfunction in part through their action on the muscarinic receptors of the autonomic nervous system. Poisons (there are many of them) that activate the muscarinic receptors of the autonomic nervous system can cause symptoms of MCAS. Also, platelet production begins in the bone marrow, an area of the body that is impacted prior to the rest of the body developing symptoms of organophosphate poisoning. Recall the organophosphates have been repurposed as “medicines” that are used to treat poor bone density and osteoporosis. This is because the organic-phosphates (organophosphates – which are toxic) can easily replace the healthy inorganic phosphates that our bones require in order to be strong, dense, and healthy. People who take bisphosphonate drugs have bones that look strong and dense on an X-ray, but their risk of severe femur fractures in people who take bisphosphonates is elevated significantly. So bones become denser when people take bisphosphonates (which looks great on an X-ray to really sell the drug therapy to patients), but the bones don’t become stronger. On the contrary, bones are weakened significantly by organophosphate exposure in the form of bisphosphonates as well as in the form of insecticides that are sprayed in fields. One could surmise that organophosphate exposure would also significantly impact the health of blood and the various elements of blood that are produced in the bone tissues including mast cells. Mast cells, after all, are also produced in bone tissues.
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Garcinia kola: Herbal Treatment for MCAS
In some studies, bitter kola nut has been shown to prevent delayed hypersensitivity reactions. In other words, Garcinia kola can diminish allergic reactions and help control Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). A delayed hypersensitivity reaction can happen if a person is exposed to an irritating agent (an allergen, let’s say) and the immune system attempts to respond, but the response is delayed. If you decide to work with Garcinia kola for MCAS though, be aware that you need to work with the herb daily at the proper dose over an extended period of time (6 months to a year) to really see results if you aren’t doing other therapies too.Flavonoids in bitter kola nut reduce mast cell activation and allergic reaction through the following mechanisms of action:
- Inflammation
- Allergic reaction
- Free radical tissue destruction
- Phosphodiesterase
- Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) inhibition / inhibition of platelet aggregation
- Histamine release inhibition
Studies have shown that natural flavonoids found in whole plant material like the bitter kola nut, impact cell activation phenomenon, including the release of histamine from human basophils. Flavonoids have also been shown to inhibit the granulation of mast cells. By inhibiting granulation of the mast cells, the release of histamine would also be inhibited along with a variety of mediators that impact allergic reactions.
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The impact of Garcinia kola flavonoids on histamine and mast cell activation plays a role in chronic pain relief as well as other aspects of human health too, of course. Garcinia kola is a whole-body, holistic treatment for people who feel like their bodies are falling apart with disease. Balancing the body’s sensitivity to the external environment to reduce sensitivity in some respects or to enhance its sensitivity in others is one of the things that this herb can do.Additionally, the flavonoids in bitter kola nut inhibit antigen-induced release of histamine from mast cells and also basophils. They inhibit painful muscle contractions that are caused by histamine, acetylcholine, and prostaglandin E2 to reduce pain naturally, particularly in chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Additionally, flavonoids inhibit phospholipid metabolism and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LO). This is significant because 5-LO is derived from arachidonic acid and leukotrienes are derived from 5-LO and nucloephilic attack. The 5-LO products mediate things like airway constriction, vascular permeability, and leukocyte chemotaxis which explains, to some extent, why Garcinia kola is an herbal remedy for asthma among other things.
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Garcinia kola Inhibits Platelet Clumping in MCAS
Phenols in Garcinia kola acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immune system enhancing agent. The Garcinia kola phenols block enzymes that cause inflammatory responses in the body. They also modify prostaglandin pathways to prevent platelets from clumping. Lowering inflammation and modifying prostaglandin pathways reduces pain. Reducing inflammation improves mental health and it also improves physical health. So this mechanism of action by itself can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life.
We discussed platelet clumping earlier as a frequent problem in those with MCAS. Some scientists believe that platelet clumping is secondary to mast cell hyperactivity, but platelet clumping is something that has also been observed in cancer patients without mast cell hypersensitivity. Scientists who study cancer believe (with an intense myopia fully intact) that cancer cells are causing the platelets to clump. In diabetes, platelet clumping has also been observed by scientists who blame high blood sugar for platelet-behavior.
Platelet clumping, however, may not be secondary to mast cell hyper-activation, but rather simply a central feature in major illness indicating that the body is being overwhelmed by a toxin or a pathogen that has hijacked the immune system. Organophosphates are just one of a number of toxins that can cause platelet clumping and abnormal blood coagulation effects in the body. Garcinia kola is an herb that works to reduce platelet clumping, which in turn, may be one of the most important, underlying mechanisms of action through which this herb acts as a panacea for cancer, diabetes, chronic pain conditions, and MCAS.
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Bitter Kola Nut Dose for MCAS:
Bitter kola nut dose matters if you wish to use this medicine treat MCAS naturally. The higher the dose, the more effective Garcinia kola will be as an herbal remedy for MCAS but at very high doses (2000 mg / kg body weight or more), Garcinia kola can becomes toxic. We recommend that patients stick to doses around 500-1000 mg / kg body weight to avoid the potential for toxic effects on the body.
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FINAL NOTE: Meadowsweet / Filipendula ulmaria and salicin-containing herbs also reduce pathological platelet aggregation / clumping.
Resources:
• Cetkovic-Cvrlje, M. et al. (2022). Garcinia kola treatment exhibits immunomodulatory properties while not affecting type 1 diabetes development in an experimental mouse model. Retrieved March 14, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8777369/
• Ebomoyi, M. I. and Okojie, A. K. (2012). Physiological mechanisms underlying the use of Garcinia Kola Heckel in the treatment of asthma. Retrieved March 14, 2025 from https://www.africanjournalofrespiratorymedicine.com/articles/physiological-mechanisms-underlying-the-use-of-garcinia-kola-heckel-in-the-treatment-of-asthma.pdf
• Carvalhosa, A. et al. (2014). Mast Cell Disease and Blood Coagulation Abnormalities: Discussion on 14 Cases and Review of the Literature. Retrieved March 16, 2025 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006497119717765
• Ziemen, M. (1984). Thrombocyte function and plasma coagulation following poisoning with organophosphates. Retrieved March 16, 2025 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6482318/
