Coleus forskohlii

Last Updated: April 9, 2024

Coleus forskohlii is an Ayurvedic herb. Extremely limited research suggests that forskolin, the plant’s main bioactive compound, may reduce intraocular pressure and asthma symptoms, increase testosterone and bone mineral density, and improve metabolic health and body composition.

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Coleus forskohlii is most often used for

What is Coleus forskohlii?

Coleus forskohlii, also known as Plectranthus barbatus, is an aromatic perennial plant from the mint family and is found in tropical and subtropical regions. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for various disorders and contains forskolin, which has been studied for its potential benefits in treating asthma, glaucoma, high blood pressure and as a fat burner.

What are Coleus forskohlii’s main benefits?

Coleus forskohlii may help reduce intraocular pressure in eye disorders like glaucoma; preliminary research suggests that it could decrease asthma attacks, increase testosterone and bone mineral density in men with obesity and improve metabolic health in older adults. Additionally, it shows potential anticancer, antifibrotic, thyroid-stimulating, and anti-inflammatory properties, though more human studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Could Coleus forskohlii help with weight loss or body composition?

Does Coleus forskohlii boost testosterone?

What are Coleus forskohlii’s main drawbacks?

The main drawbacks of Coleus forskohlii include potential gastrointestinal side effects (particularly diarrhea) and (ii) its ability to lower blood pressure, increase stomach acid, and inhibit platelet aggregation, which may make it unsuitable for certain individuals.

How does Coleus forskohlii work?

Forskolin, the main bioactive compound in Coleus forskohlii, increases levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cells. This rise in cAMP modulates various cellular processes through the activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and other proteins, which influences metabolism, hormone secretion, muscle contraction, and neurotransmission.

What are other names for Coleus forskohlii?
Note that Coleus forskohlii is also known as:
  • Forskolin (main bioactive compound; previously called coleonol)
  • Plectranthus barbatus
  • Coleus barbatus
  • Makandi
  • Patharchur
  • 7-Beta-acetoxy-8 13-epoxy-1-alpha 6-Beta 9-alpha-trihydroxy-labd-14-en-11-one
Dosage information

Only a handful of clinical trials have looked at the effects of Coleus forskohlii in humans. Most of these trials have administered 250 mg of Coleus forskohlii extract standardized to contain 10% forskolin twice per day, for a total daily dose of 500 mg of Coleus forskohlii extract, equivalent to 50 mg of forskolin.

Because supplementation with Coleus forskohlii extract or forskolin has been noted to reduce blood pressure, increase stomach acid levels, and inhibit platelet aggregation, it should be used with caution by people with hypotension (low blood pressure) or who are taking antihypertensive (blood-pressure-lowering) drugs, people with blood clotting disorders or who are taking blood thinning medication, and people with stomach ulcers.[1]

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Update History
2024-04-09 00:30:03

Full page update

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This page was completely revamped, including rewriting the overview, AKA, and dosage section, as well as adding FAQs.

Reviewed By

Nick Milazzo
References
  1. ^Coleus forskohlii. Monograph.Altern Med Rev.(2006 Mar)
  2. ^Mitra M, Gantait S, Mandal NColeus forskohlii: advancements and prospects of in vitro biotechnology.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol.(2020-Mar)
  3. ^Dubey MP, Srimal RC, Nityanand S, Dhawan BNPharmacological studies on coleonol, a hypotensive diterpene from Coleus forskohlii.J Ethnopharmacol.(1981-Jan)
  4. ^Srivastava et al.Pharmacognostic evaluation of *Coleus forskohlii*Pharm Biol.(2008-9)
  5. ^R González-Sánchez, X Trujillo, B Trujillo-Hernández, C Vásquez, M Huerta, A ElizaldeForskolin versus sodium cromoglycate for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blinded clinical trialJ Int Med Res.(Mar-Apr 2006)
  6. ^Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Natarajan S, Vaidyanathan P, Karri SK, Jose JAEfficacy and safety of 1% forskolin eye drops in open angle glaucoma - An open label study.Saudi J Ophthalmol.(2015)
  7. ^Madhavi Jagtap, H M Chandola, B RavishankarClinical efficacy of Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. (Makandi) in hypertension of geriatric populationAyu.(2011 Jan)
  8. ^Godard MP, Johnson BA, Richmond SRBody composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese menObes Res.(2005 Aug)
  9. ^F L Greenway, G A BrayRegional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther.(1987)
  10. ^Meyer BH, Stulting AA, Müller FO, Luus HG, Badian MThe effects of forskolin eye drops on intra-ocular pressureS Afr Med J.(1987 May 2)
  11. ^Badian M, Dabrowski J, Grigoleit HG, Lieb W, Lindner E, Rupp WEffect of forskolin eyedrops on intraocular pressure in healthy malesKlin Monbl Augenheilkd.(1984 Dec)
  12. ^Pescosolido N, Librando AOral administration of an association of forskolin, rutin and vitamins B1 and B2 potentiates the hypotonising effects of pharmacological treatments in POAG patientsClin Ter.(2010)
  13. ^Vetrugno M, Uva MG, Russo V, Iester M, Ciancaglini M, Brusini P, Centofanti M, Rossetti LMOral administration of forskolin and rutin contributes to intraocular pressure control in primary open angle glaucoma patients under maximum tolerated medical therapy.J Ocul Pharmacol Ther.(2012-Oct)
  14. ^Kaik G, Witte PUProtective effect of forskolin in acetylcholine provocation in healthy probands. Comparison of 2 doses with fenoterol and placeboWien Med Wochenschr.(1986 Dec 31)
  15. ^Hayley L Loftus, Katie J Astell, Michael L Mathai, Xiao Q SuColeus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients.(2015 Nov 17)
  16. ^Agarwal KC, Parks REForskolin: a potential antimetastatic agent.Int J Cancer.(1983-Dec-15)
  17. ^McEwan DG, Brunton VG, Baillie GS, Leslie NR, Houslay MD, Frame MCChemoresistant KM12C colon cancer cells are addicted to low cyclic AMP levels in a phosphodiesterase 4-regulated compartment via effects on phosphoinositide 3-kinase.Cancer Res.(2007-Jun-01)
  18. ^Perrotti D, Neviani PProtein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a drugable tumor suppressor in Ph1(+) leukemias.Cancer Metastasis Rev.(2008-Jun)
  19. ^El-Agroudy NN, El-Naga RN, El-Razeq RA, El-Demerdash EForskolin, a hedgehog signalling inhibitor, attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.Br J Pharmacol.(2016-Nov)
  20. ^Laurberg PForskolin stimulation of thyroid secretion of T4 and T3.FEBS Lett.(1984-May-21)
  21. ^Ma C, Zou L, Xia Y, Tu Y, Xue D, Yang Y, Liu D, Liu Y, Wu H, Dan H, You PExtracts of Coleus forskohlii relieves cough and asthma symptoms via modulating inflammation and the extracellular matrix.J Cell Biochem.(2019-Jun)
  22. ^Chiharu Nishijima, Tsuyoshi Chiba, Yoko Sato, Keizo UmegakiNationwide Online Survey Enables the Reevaluation of the Safety of Coleus forskohlii Extract Intake Based on the Adverse Event FrequenciesNutrients.(2019 Apr 17)
  23. ^Kamohara et alSafety of a *Coleus forskohlii* formulation in healthy volunteersPers Med Universe.(2015-7)
  24. ^Iwatsubo K, Tsunematsu T, Ishikawa YIsoform-specific regulation of adenylyl cyclase: a potential target in future pharmacotherapy.Expert Opin Ther Targets.(2003-Jun)
  25. ^Seamon KB, Daly JWForskolin: a unique diterpene activator of cyclic AMP-generating systems.J Cyclic Nucleotide Res.(1981)
  26. ^Alasbahi RH, Melzig MFForskolin and derivatives as tools for studying the role of cAMP.Pharmazie.(2012-Jan)
  27. ^Patra C, Foster K, Corley JE, Dimri M, Brady MFBiochemistry, cAMPStatPearls.(2024-01)
  28. ^Henderson S, Magu B, Rasmussen C, Lancaster S, Kerksick C, Smith P, Melton C, Cowan P, Greenwood M, Earnest C, Almada A, Milnor P, Magrans T, Bowden R, Ounpraseuth S, Thomas A, Kreider RBEffects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2005 Dec 9)
Examine Database References
  1. Asthma Symptoms - Kaik G, Witte PUProtective effect of forskolin in acetylcholine provocation in healthy probands. Comparison of 2 doses with fenoterol and placeboWien Med Wochenschr.(1986 Dec 31)
  2. Weight - Henderson S, Magu B, Rasmussen C, Lancaster S, Kerksick C, Smith P, Melton C, Cowan P, Greenwood M, Earnest C, Almada A, Milnor P, Magrans T, Bowden R, Ounpraseuth S, Thomas A, Kreider RBEffects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2005 Dec 9)
  3. Weight - Hayley L Loftus, Katie J Astell, Michael L Mathai, Xiao Q SuColeus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients.(2015 Nov 17)
  4. Intraocular Pressure - Meyer BH, Stulting AA, Müller FO, Luus HG, Badian MThe effects of forskolin eye drops on intra-ocular pressureS Afr Med J.(1987 May 2)
  5. Intraocular Pressure - Badian M, Dabrowski J, Grigoleit HG, Lieb W, Lindner E, Rupp WEffect of forskolin eyedrops on intraocular pressure in healthy malesKlin Monbl Augenheilkd.(1984 Dec)
  6. Muscle Mass - Godard MP, Johnson BA, Richmond SRBody composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese menObes Res.(2005 Aug)
  7. Asthma Symptoms - R González-Sánchez, X Trujillo, B Trujillo-Hernández, C Vásquez, M Huerta, A ElizaldeForskolin versus sodium cromoglycate for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blinded clinical trialJ Int Med Res.(Mar-Apr 2006)
  8. Weight - F L Greenway, G A BrayRegional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther.(1987)