GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Coleus Forskohlii is a member of the mint
(Lamiaceae) family native to India. The root is used medicinally. Ancient Sanskrit texts show that
coleus was commonly used to treat heart and lung diseases,
intestinal spasms, insomnia, and convulsions. Today it
is employed in the treatment of
glaucoma.
ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:
Forskolin is a diterpene found in coleus that
inhibits the enzyme adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase regulates the formation of cAMP, a
compound that controls many cellular activities.
Forskolin-induced elevation of cAMP levels has been shown to
cause blood vessel dilation, inhibition of mast cells (hence
the herb is a powerful agent for reducing inflammation caused by allergies), an increase in
thyroid hormone secretion, and the stimulation of fat
release from fat cells. Research carried out in 1983 by
Agarwal and Parks suggested that forskolin was able to
inhibit the spread of cancer cells. Direct application of forskolin to the eyes has consistently been shown to lower the pressure inside the eye,
therefore the herb can be useful for treating glaucoma. One
study on humans has shown that forskolin can reduce
blood pressure and improve heart function in people with cardiomyopathy.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
50 to 100 mg can be taken 2 or 3 times per
day. Fluid extract can be taken in the amount of 2 to 4 ml three times per day. The majority of
clinical studies have used injected forskolin, so it is
unclear if oral ingestion of coleus extracts will provide
similar benefits in the amounts recommended above.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: Not established
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Coleus is thought to be free from side effects,
however it should be avoided in people with stomach ulcers as it may increase stomach acid
levels. There are reasons to suggest that coleus could
potentiate anti-platelet drugs such as aspirin, however,
such an effect has never been documented. The safety
of coleus in pregnancy and lactation is unknown.
