Coleus: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Colforsine
Scientific name(s)
Plectranthus barbatus, Coleus forskohlii, Coleus barbatus, Plectranthus forskohlii
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Forskolin
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Hypertension ✪✪✪✪✪
The consumption of coleus root or tuber may decrease blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
Posologie
Oral: root
1 - 1.4 g
2 - months
Seniors
standardized extract
Obesity ✪✪✪✪✪
A preliminary study suggests that the 10% forskolin standardized extract from coleus could reduce body fat rate by 4.1%. Another small clinical trial shows that taking one capsule of coleus extract 250 mg twice a day before meals for 12 weeks does not further reduce weight compared to taking a placebo in overweight and obese patients on a calorie-restrictive diet
Posologie
Oral: root
500 mg
12 - weeks
Men
standardized extract
Asthma ✪✪✪✪✪
Forskolin (extracted from coleus) may reduce asthma symptoms.
Posologie
Oral: root
10 - 30 mg
6 - months
standardized extract
Forskolin Versus Sodium Cromoglycate For Prevention Of Asthma Attacks: A Single-blinded Clinical Trial
Protective Effect Of Forskolin In Acetylcholine Provocation In Healthy Probands. Comparison Of 2 Doses With Fenoterol And Placebo
Forskolin Compared With Beclomethasone for Prevention of Asthma Attacks: A Single-Blind Clinical Trial
Eye Health ✪✪✪✪✪
Taking oral forskolin or in drop form improves eye comfort. A 1% forskolin eye drop solution was able to reduce intraocular pressure in healthy individuals. Preliminary clinical research shows that taking a supplement containing 150 mg of Coleus forskohlii extract (10% forskolin), 200 mg rutin, 0.7 mg thiamine, and 0.8 mg riboflavin, at a rate of 2 capsules per day for 30 days, moderately reduces symptoms of dry eye compared to placebo.
Posologie
Ocular, oral: root
300 mg
eye drops, standardized extract
Synergies
Glaucoma ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary studies show that taking two tablets of a supplement (Kronek) containing 15 mg of forskolin, 200 mg of rutin, 1.5 mg of vitamin B1, and 1.5 mg of vitamin B2 for 7 or 30 days prevents increases of intraocular pressure and reduces intraocular pressure by 10% in patients with glaucoma. Another preliminary clinical study on a supplement containing coleus, taken for a year in addition to standard topical treatment, leads to a decrease in intraocular pressure compared to the standard treatment alone in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. One tablet of this supplement contains 150 mg of coleus extract (standardized to 10% forskolin), 100 mg homotaurine, 50 mg L-carnosine, 1.1 mg vitamin B1, 1.4 mg vitamin B2, 1.4 mg vitamin B6, 0.2 mg folic acid, and 150 mg magnesium.
Posologie
Oral: root
300 mg
standardized extract
Forskolin and rutin prevent intraocular pressure spikes after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy
Oral Administration of Forskolin, Homotaurine, Carnosine, and Folic Acid in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: Changes in Intraocular Pressure, Pattern Electroretinogram Amplitude, and Foveal Sensitivity
Properties
Antihistamine
Forskolin inhibits the production of histamine. In vitro, forskolin appears to inhibit antigen-induced release of histamine and leukotrienes.
Usages associés
Cardiovascular
Forskolin stimulates the production of cAMP, which causes the opening of calcium channels and the increase in intracellular calcium concentrations, thereby enhancing the contractility of heart muscles and blood vessels. It thus strengthens cardiovascular functions.
Usages associés
Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/Anticoagulant
Forskolin from coleus inhibits platelet aggregation directly or indirectly via the activation of adenylate cyclase.
Anticancer
Forskolin and 13-epi-sclareol from coleus may block cancer cell growth. Forskolin acts by activating a key enzyme (adenylate cyclase) that increases the levels of cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) inside cells. This increase in cAMP can have several effects that help combate cancer, such as modifying cancer cell growth and division.
Vision
Forskolin reduces intraocular pressure in patients with or without glaucoma by stimulating the activity of adenylate cyclase, an enzyme that produces cAMP in response to external signals, with cAMP being the messenger responsible, among other things, for metabolism regulation and cellular communication.
Usages associés
Hormonal Metabolism
Researchers assume that coleus could activate adenylate cyclase in other body cells, such as in platelets and cells of the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, or pituitary gland.
Metabolic
Coleus has been studied for weight loss. Preliminary evidence in animals suggests that consumption of a Coleus extract for 8 weeks reduces fat accumulation, body weight, and food intake
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 year(s): 300 mg - 500 mg (standardized extract)
Oral consumption is often standardized to an extract containing 10% forskolin. Coleus extract at doses up to 1.4 grams per day has been well tolerated in studies lasting up to 3 months.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet Agents/Anticoagulant: moderate interaction
Forskolin in coleus is an antiplatelet agent. Concurrent use with antiplatelet agents/anticoagulants could increase the risk of bleeding.
Antihypertensive: moderate interaction
Concurrent use of antihypertensives with coleus could compound hypotensive effects.
Calcium Channel Blocker: strong interaction
Using forskolin at the same time as calcium channel blockers could cause significant coronary vasodilator effect.
Nitrates: strong interaction
Using forskolin at the same time as nitrates could cause significant coronary vasodilator effect.
Cytochrome P450 Substrate: moderate interaction
Theoretically, coleus could induce cytochromes 2C9 and 3A4 and reduce their ability to metabolize other substrates.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Animal clinical studies suggest that high doses of coleus can inhibit the implantation of embryos and/or delay fetal development.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Due to lack of information, avoid use during breastfeeding.
Blood disorder: avoid
There is evidence that coleus might increase the risk of bleeding in some people.
Contraindications
Surgery: prohibited
Coleus may increase bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using coleus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
