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
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
High blood pressure ✪✪✪✪✪
Consumption of coleus root or tuber would lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
Posologie
Oral: root
1 - 1.4 g
2 - months
Seniors
standardized extract
Obesity ✪✪✪✪✪
A preliminary study suggests that a coleus extract standardized to 10% forskolin would reduce body fat percentage by 4.1%. Another small clinical trial shows that taking one 250 mg capsule of coleus extract twice daily before meals for 12 weeks does not reduce weight more than placebo in overweight and obese patients following a calorie-restricted diet
Posologie
Oral: root
500 mg
12 - weeks
Men
standardized extract
Asthma ✪✪✪✪✪
Forskolin (extracted from coleus) may reduce asthma symptoms.
Posologie
Oral route: 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 forskolin orally or as drops can improve ocular comfort. A 1% forskolin eye drop solution has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure in healthy individuals. A preliminary clinical study shows that taking a supplement containing a Coleus forskolii extract 150 mg (10% forskolin), rutin 200 mg, thiamine 0.7 mg and riboflavin 0.8 mg, at a dose of 2 capsules per day for 30 days, moderately reduces symptoms of dry eye compared with placebo.
Posologie
Ocular, oral: root
300 mg
eye drops, standardized extract
Synergies
Glaucoma ✪✪✪✪✪
A preliminary study shows 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 in intraocular pressure and reduces intraocular pressure by 10% in patients with glaucoma. Another preliminary clinical study of a supplement containing coleus, taken for one year in addition to standard topical treatment, resulted in a decrease in intraocular pressure compared with 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 of homotaurine, 50 mg of L-carnosine, 1.1 mg of vitamin B1, 1.4 mg of vitamin B2, 1.4 mg of vitamin B6, 0.2 mg of folic acid, and 150 mg of magnesium.
Posologie
By mouth: 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, which strengthens the contractility of cardiac and vascular muscles. It thus enhances cardiovascular functions.
Usages associés
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant
Forskolin from Coleus inhibits platelet aggregation directly or indirectly via activation of adenylate cyclase.
Anticancer
Forskolin and 13-epi-sclareol from Coleus could block the growth of cancer cells. Forskolin acts by activating a key enzyme (adenylate cyclase) that increases intracellular cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) levels. This increase in cAMP can have several effects that help fight cancer, such as altering the growth and division of cancer cells.
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; cAMP is the messenger responsible, among other things, for regulating metabolism and cell communication.
Usages associés
Hormone metabolism
Researchers assume that coleus could activate adenylate cyclase in other cells of the body, such as platelet cells and cells of the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, or pituitary.
Metabolic
Coleus has been studied for weight loss. Preliminary animal evidence suggests that consuming a coleus extract for 8 weeks decreases fat accumulation, body weight, and food intake
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 300 mg - 500 mg (standardized extract)
Oral intake is often standardized to an extract containing 10% forskolin. Coleus extract at doses up to 1.4 grams per day was well tolerated in studies lasting up to 3 months.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulants: moderate interaction
The 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 add to hypotensive effects.
Calcium channel blocker: strong interaction
Using forskolin at the same time as calcium channel blockers could cause a significant coronary vasodilatory effect.
Nitrates: strong interaction
Using forskolin at the same time as nitrates could cause a significant coronary vasodilatory effect.
Cytochrome P450 substrate: moderate interaction
Theoretically, coleus could induce CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 and reduce their ability to metabolize other substrates.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Animal clinical studies suggest that high doses of coleus may inhibit embryo implantation and/or delay fetal development.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Due to lack of information, avoid use during breastfeeding.
Clotting disorder: avoid
There is evidence that coleus may increase the risk of bleeding in some people.
Contraindications
Surgical procedure: contraindicated
Coleus may increase bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using coleus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgical procedure.
