This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Coleus forskohlii's primary active compound, forskolin, works by directly activating adenylate cyclase, an enzyme that increases cellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This mechanism is unique among herbal compounds, as most work through receptor binding rather than direct enzyme activation. Elevated cAMP levels influence numerous cellular processes, including smooth muscle relaxation, heart muscle contraction, and metabolic regulation. This direct pathway explains Coleus's effects on cardiovascular function, bronchodilation, and potentially body composition. Evidence level: C.
Can I take Coleus forskohlii with blood pressure medication?
Coleus forskohlii should not be combined with blood pressure medications without medical supervision. Forskolin naturally lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and may cause additive hypotensive effects when taken with antihypertensive drugs like beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers. This combination could result in dangerously low blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting. Additionally, Coleus may interact with blood thinners and anti-platelet medications, increasing bleeding risk. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining Coleus with any prescription medications. Evidence level: C.
What is the correct dosage of Coleus forskohlii for adults?
The standard adult dosage for Coleus forskohlii is 250mg of a standardized extract containing 10% forskolin, taken twice daily. This provides approximately 50mg of active forskolin per day, the amount commonly used in research studies. Standardization is important, as forskolin content varies significantly in raw plant material. For specific conditions like weight management or respiratory support, dosages may vary. Always follow product label instructions and consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized dosing, especially if you have underlying health conditions. Evidence level: C.
Is Coleus forskohlii safe to take during pregnancy?
Coleus forskohlii is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Forskolin's effects on cAMP levels may influence uterine contractions and potentially affect fetal development. No adequate safety studies exist for pregnant or nursing women. Additionally, Coleus's blood pressure-lowering effects could compromise placental blood flow. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding should avoid Coleus forskohlii supplements entirely. Consult your healthcare provider for safe alternatives if you were taking Coleus before pregnancy. Evidence level: C.
Does Coleus forskohlii help with weight loss?
Research on Coleus forskohlii for weight management shows mixed results. Theoretical mechanisms suggest forskolin may support fat breakdown by increasing cAMP levels, which stimulates hormone-sensitive lipase. Some small studies indicate potential benefits for body composition, but evidence remains limited and inconclusive. Coleus should not be considered a standalone weight loss solution. Any potential effects appear modest and require consistent use alongside proper diet and exercise. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing for weight management. Evidence level: C.
What are the side effects of taking Coleus forskohlii?
Common side effects of Coleus forskohlii include low blood pressure, increased heart rate, gastrointestinal upset, headache, and facial flushing. These effects typically relate to forskolin's vasodilatory properties and increased cAMP activity. People with existing low blood pressure, peptic ulcers, or bleeding disorders should avoid Coleus due to potential worsening of these conditions. Stop use at least two weeks before scheduled surgery due to bleeding risks. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent, but seek medical attention if you experience severe dizziness or irregular heartbeat. Evidence level: C.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Coleus forskohlii is a medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family primarily known for producing forskolin, a compound used in the treatment of glaucoma, asthma, and heart ailments [PMID:31989223, PMID:38623169].
Background
Coleus forskohlii (also known as Plectranthus barbatus) is a tropical perennial herb of Indian origin [PMID:31803808, PMID:38623169]. It is the sole natural source of the labdane-type diterpenoid forskolin, which is concentrated in the cork tissue of its tuberous roots [PMID:33928347, PMID:38623169].
Traditional uses
Traditional uses include the treatment of heart diseases, abdominal colic, respiratory disorders, intestinal disturbance, liver fatigue, and certain nervous system disorders [PMID:20186655, PMID:26130934].
Active compounds
The primary active compound is forskolin (a labdane-type diterpenoid) [PMID:23023353, PMID:33928347]. Other constituents include abietane diterpenoids, essential oils, and various polyphenolic compounds such as gallic acid [PMID:20186655, PMID:31547727, PMID:36558119].
Mechanism of action
Forskolin acts by stimulating the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which increases the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) [PMID:23023353, PMID:25726172, PMID:38623169]. In the eye, this activates the ciliary epithelium to reduce aqueous humor inflow, thereby decreasing intraocular pressure [PMID:23023353].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BHypertension
A clinical study in a geriatric population (50-80 years) found that treatment with Coleus forskohlii (as Ghana vati or Churna tablets) resulted in good outcomes regarding systolic and diastolic blood pressure [PMID:22131759]
Evidence CGlaucoma
Topical application of forskolin is capable of reducing intraocular pressure in humans, rabbits, and monkeys [PMID:23023353]
Evidence DCataract
In a rat model, hydroalcoholic leaf-extract fractions of C. forskohlii reduced mean arterial pressure and glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner, showing protective effects against fructose-induced cataract [PMID:31547727]
Safety & adverse effects
Coleus forskohlii is reported to be well tolerated as a supplement [PMID:30000934]. However, a cytogenetic assay in Allium cepa suggested that forskolin may cause genotoxic effects, including increased chromosome aberrations and reduced mitotic index at concentrations of 5-100 µM [PMID:25726172].
Drug interactions
Forskolin may act synergistically with epinephrine, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine [PMID:23023353]. It may enhance the effects of anti-clotting medications such as warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin, and enoxaparin [PMID:23023353].
Evidence summary
Evidence consists primarily of narrative reviews and laboratory/animal studies (Level C/D), with limited clinical data on hypertension (Level B).
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 30000934 (2006) — Coleus forskohlii. Monograph. · Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic
2.PMID: 23023353 (2012) — Forskolin: upcoming antiglaucoma molecule. · Journal of postgraduate medicine
3.PMID: 33928347 (2021) — Progress in heterologous biosynthesis of forskolin. · Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology
4.PMID: 31989223 (2020) — Coleus forskohlii: advancements and prospects of in vitro biotechnology. · Applied microbiology and biotechnology
5.PMID: 22131759 (2011) — Clinical efficacy of Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. (Makandi) in hypertension of geriatric population. · Ayu
6.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
PMID: 38623169 (2024) — Biotechnological interventions for the production of forskolin, an active compound from the medicinal plant, Coleus forskohlii. · Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology
7.PMID: 20186655 (2010) — Plectranthus barbatus: a review of phytochemistry, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacology - part 2. · Planta medica
8.PMID: 36558119 (2022) — Bioactive Properties of Extracts from Plectranthus barbatus (Coleus forskohlii) Roots Received Using Various Extraction Methods. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 31803808 (2019) — Characterization of cucumber mosaic virus infecting coleus (Plectranthus barbatus) in Karnataka. · Virusdisease
10.PMID: 25726172 (2015) — Forskolin: genotoxicity assessment in Allium cepa. · Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis
11.PMID: 26130934 (2015) — Extraction and elemental analysis of Coleus forskohlii extract. · Pharmacognosy research
12.PMID: 31547727 (2022) — Protective effect of Coleus forskohlii leaf-extract compound on progression of cataract against Fructose-Induced experimental cataract in rats. · Drug and chemical toxicology