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 contains forskolin, a compound that activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which increases cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in cells. Elevated cAMP influences numerous cellular processes including metabolism, heart muscle contraction, and blood vessel relaxation. This mechanism explains its traditional use for cardiovascular conditions and its research interest for weight management, as cAMP activation may promote fat breakdown and support healthy metabolic function.
Does Coleus forskohlii interact with blood pressure medications?
Yes, Coleus forskohlii may interact with blood pressure medications. Forskolin has blood pressure-lowering effects, so combining it with antihypertensive drugs could cause hypotension. Additionally, Coleus may have anti-platelet properties, potentially increasing bleeding risk when taken with blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining this herb with prescription medications, and discontinue use at least two weeks before scheduled surgery.
What is the recommended dosage for Coleus forskohlii?
The standard adult dosage for Coleus forskohlii is 250mg of a standardized extract containing 10% forskolin, taken twice daily. This provides approximately 50mg of forskolin per dose. Standardized extracts are preferred over whole herb preparations to ensure consistent forskolin content. Dosage may vary based on individual health conditions, so consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized guidance before starting supplementation.
Is Coleus forskohlii safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Coleus forskohlii is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Forskolin may stimulate uterine contractions, potentially causing pregnancy complications or miscarriage. There is insufficient safety data for breastfeeding use. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing should avoid this herb entirely. Those with bleeding disorders or scheduled surgery within two weeks should also avoid supplementation due to increased bleeding risk.
Can Coleus forskohlii help with weight loss?
Research on Coleus forskohlii for weight management shows mixed results (Evidence Level C). Some preliminary studies suggest forskolin may support fat metabolism through cAMP activation, but clinical evidence remains limited and inconsistent. Coleus should not be considered a standalone weight loss solution. Any potential benefits would require combining supplementation with proper diet and exercise. More rigorous human trials are needed to confirm efficacy for weight management.
What are the side effects of taking Coleus forskohlii?
Common side effects of Coleus forskohlii include low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, headache, and facial flushing. These effects relate to forskolin's vasodilatory and cardiovascular actions. People with existing hypotension, heart conditions, or bleeding disorders should exercise caution. Side effects are generally dose-dependent, so starting with lower doses and monitoring symptoms is advisable. Discontinue use if significant dizziness, palpitations, or unusual bleeding occurs.
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 herb native to India, primarily valued for its root-derived compound forskolin, which is used in the treatment of glaucoma, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions [PMID:31989223, 38623169].
Background
Coleus forskohlii (also known as Coleus barbatus or Plectranthus barbatus) is a tropical perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family [PMID:31989223, 31803808]. It is cultivated mainly for the production of forskolin, a labdane-type diterpenoid found exclusively in the cork cells of its tuberous roots [PMID:33928347, 38623169].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used in Ayurveda and ancient medicine for the treatment of heart diseases, abdominal colic, respiratory disorders, inflammation, obesity, and viral ailments [PMID:26130934, 38338448, 31001657].
Active compounds
The primary bioactive compound is forskolin (a labdane-type diterpenoid) [PMID:33928347, 38623169]. Other constituents include 1-deoxyforskolin, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin [PMID:26870691], isoforskolin [PMID:39986229], and various polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and gallic acid [PMID:36558119, 31547727].
Mechanism of action
Forskolin acts as an agonist that stimulates the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which increases the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) [PMID:23023353, 39986229, 38623169]. In the eye, this activates the ciliary epithelium to decrease intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous humor inflow [PMID:23023353].
Clinical evidence
Evidence CGlaucoma
Topical application of forskolin is capable of reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in humans, rabbits, and monkeys [PMID:23023353].
Evidence DObesity
Administration of extracts reduced body weight, food intake, and fat accumulation in ovariectomized rats [PMID:15863977]; however, there is no clear evidence that herbal preparations cause sustained long-term weight loss in humans [PMID:30738773].
Evidence DAsthma
Extracts of Coleus forskohlii prolonged the asthma incubation period in guinea pigs and rats by modulating inflammation and the extracellular matrix [PMID:30520122].
Evidence DAtherosclerosis
Isoforskolin inhibited endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in ApoE-/- rats [PMID:39986229].
Evidence DCataracts
Hydroalcoholic leaf extract and gallic acid reduced mean arterial pressure and glucose levels in fructose-induced experimental cataract rats [PMID:31547727].
Safety & adverse effects
While generally well tolerated as a supplement [PMID:30000934], a cytogenetic assay in Allium cepa indicated that forskolin may cause genotoxic effects, including significant reductions in mitotic index and increased chromosome aberrations [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]. It is contraindicated for those using medications for ulcers as it may increase acid levels [PMID:23023353]. No significant effect on CYP3A, CYP2B, and CYP2C mRNA expression was observed in rat hepatocytes [PMID:26870691].
Evidence summary
The evidence is primarily based on preclinical animal models (rats, mice, guinea pigs) and in vitro studies, with limited human data primarily focused on topical use for glaucoma. Human clinical evidence for weight loss is weak.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 36479472 (2022) — Dietary supplements for obesity. · Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene
2.PMID: 30000934 (2006) — Coleus forskohlii. Monograph. · Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic
3.PMID: 23023353 (2012) — Forskolin: upcoming antiglaucoma molecule. · Journal of postgraduate medicine
4.PMID: 33928347 (2021) — Progress in heterologous biosynthesis of forskolin. · Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology
5.PMID: 31989223 (2020) — Coleus forskohlii: advancements and prospects of in vitro biotechnology. · Applied microbiology and biotechnology
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: 36558119 (2022) — Bioactive Properties of Extracts from Plectranthus barbatus (Coleus forskohlii) Roots Received Using Various Extraction Methods. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
7.PMID: 31407234 (2020) — Plant Probiotic Bacterial Endophyte, Alcaligenes faecalis, Modulates Plant Growth and Forskolin Biosynthesis in Coleus forskohlii. · Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins
8.PMID: 39986229 (2025) — Isoforskolin, adenylate cyclase agonist, inhibits endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in atherosclerosis. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
9.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
10.PMID: 26130934 (2015) — Extraction and elemental analysis of Coleus forskohlii extract. · Pharmacognosy research
11.PMID: 36985280 (2023) — Changing Rhizosphere Microbial Community and Metabolites with Developmental Stages of Coleus barbatus. · Microorganisms
12.PMID: 25726172 (2015) — Forskolin: genotoxicity assessment in Allium cepa. · Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis
13.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
14.PMID: 32893572 (2020) — [Recent advances in biosynthesis of forskolin]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
15.PMID: 15863977 (2005) — [Effects of Coleus forskohlii on fat storage in ovariectomized rats]. · Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
16.PMID: 35704959 (2022) — Development of a multianalytical strategy for detection of frauds in Coleus forskohlii supplements. · Journal of chromatography. A
17.PMID: 39275064 (2024) — Enhancement of Forskolin Production Using Aeroponic Cultivation of Coleus forskohlii and the Impact on the Plant Phytochemistry. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
18.PMID: 26870691 (2016) — Effect of Coleus forskohlii and its major constituents on cytochrome P450 induction. · Journal of traditional and complementary medicine
19.PMID: 34070487 (2021) — Back to the Roots-An Overview of the Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of Selected Root-Essential Oils. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
20.PMID: 30738773 (2019) — Evidence for the efficacy and safety of herbal weight loss preparations. · Journal of integrative medicine
21.PMID: 38338448 (2024) — Unveiling the Antiviral Efficacy of Forskolin: A Multifaceted In Vitro and In Silico Approach. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
22.PMID: 39768839 (2024) — Health Benefits of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Forskolin with a Special Emphasis on Glaucoma and Other Retinal Diseases. · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
23.PMID: 33461046 (2021) — Molecular insights of fungal endophyte co-inoculation with Trichoderma viride for the augmentation of forskolin biosynthesis in Coleus forskohlii. · Phytochemistry
24.PMID: 21365365 (2011) — Anti-HIV activity of Indian medicinal plants. · Journal of natural medicines
25.PMID: 31803808 (2019) — Characterization of cucumber mosaic virus infecting coleus (Plectranthus barbatus) in Karnataka. · Virusdisease
26.PMID: 30520122 (2019) — Extracts of Coleus forskohlii relieves cough and asthma symptoms via modulating inflammation and the extracellular matrix. · Journal of cellular biochemistry
27.PMID: 32350181 (2020) — Coleus forskohlii Extract Attenuated the Beneficial Effect of Diet-Treatment on NASH in Mouse Model. · Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
28.PMID: 31001657 (2019) — Functional Fungal Endophytes in Coleus forskohlii Regulate Labdane Diterpene Biosynthesis for Elevated Forskolin Accumulation in Roots. · Microbial ecology