Coleus forskohlii's therapeutic uses
Coleus forskohlii, a plant native to the mountain regions of Nepal, India, and Thailand, has been traditionally used in Asian medicine for various ailments, including respiratory issues and skin conditions. In contemporary health discussions, it is primarily recognized for its active compound, forskolin, which has been shown to influence cyclic AMP levels in the body. This mechanism suggests potential therapeutic uses for conditions such as asthma, eczema, and irritable bowel syndrome, as forskolin may help in relaxing smooth muscles and stabilizing inflammatory responses.
While some studies suggest that Coleus forskohlii might aid in weight loss and improve insulin resistance, scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for many proposed uses remains limited. Additionally, forskolin eye drops have shown promise for treating glaucoma, and there is ongoing research into its effects on heart function, hypertension, and certain cancers. However, safety concerns exist, particularly regarding interactions with blood pressure medications and blood thinners. As a result, anyone considering Coleus forskohlii for therapeutic purposes is advised to consult a healthcare professional for guidance and to ensure safe use.
Coleus forskohlii's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Allergies, asthma, bladder infections (for pain relief), eczema, glaucoma, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual cramps, weight loss, heart health
OTHER PROPOSED USE: Psoriasis, cancer, high blood pressure, allergies, hypothyroidism
Overview
A member of the mint family, Coleus forskohlii grows wild on the mountain slopes of Nepal, India, and Thailand. In traditional Asian systems of medicine, it was used for various purposes, including treating skin rashes, asthma, bronchitis, insomnia, epilepsy, and angina. However, modern interest is based almost entirely on the work of a drug company, Hoechst Pharmaceuticals.
Like other drug manufacturers, Hoechst regularly screens medicinal plants in hopes of discovering new medications. In 1974, work performed in collaboration with the Indian Central Drug Research Institute found that the rootstock of Coleus forskohlii could lower blood pressure and decrease muscle spasms. Intensive study identified a substance named forskolin that appeared to be responsible for much of this effect.
Like certain drugs used for asthma, forskolin increases the levels of a fundamental natural compound known as cyclic AMP. Cyclic AMP plays a major role in many cellular functions, and some drugs that affect it relax the muscles around the bronchial tubes.
Therapeutic Dosages
A common dosage recommendation is 50 milligrams (mg) two or three times a day of an extract standardized to contain 18 percent forskolin. However, because such an extract provides significant levels of forskolin, a drug with wide-ranging properties, experts recommend that Coleus forskohlii extracts be taken only with a doctor’s supervision.
Therapeutic Uses
The scientific evidence for the herb Coleus forskohlii as a treatment for any disease is weak. However, in the twenty-first century more double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of Coleus forskohlii have begun to emerge. What is known relates to the substance forskolin rather than the whole herb.
Several studies found that oral forskolin may be beneficial for treatment of asthma. Forskolin may work by stabilizing the cells that release histamine and other inflammatory compounds, as well as by relaxing smooth muscle tissue. The herb stimulates the dilation of airways and allows better breathing, but further research is required to fully understand this effect.
Based on these apparent effects, Coleus forskohlii has been suggested as a useful treatment for eczema and other allergic conditions, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), angina, irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colon), bladder pain (as in bladder infections), and hypertension (high blood pressure). However, there is no direct evidence that it works.
One small double-blind study published in 2015 indicates that a concentrated forskolin extract might increase the fat-burning rate, potentially enhancing weight loss. The same study found it may also improve insulin resistance. In addition, forskolin eye drops have shown promise in improving glaucoma. Coleus forskohlii has also been proposed as a treatment for psoriasis because that disease appears to be at least partly related to low levels of cyclic AMP in skin cells.
There are several other proposed therapeutic uses for Coleus forskohlii. Emerging evidence suggests it may help improve heart function in people with congestive heart failure. Coleus forskohlii may also help people combat high blood pressure, allergies, hypothyroidism, and even certain types of cancer, but more study in these areas in needed.
Safety Issues
The safety of Coleus forskohlii and forskolin has not been fully evaluated, although few significant risks have been noted in studies done so far. Caution should be exercised when combining this herb with blood pressure medications and blood thinners.
Several cases of acute poisoning were reported in Italy in the early twenty-first century, apparently caused by accidental contamination of Coleus forskohlii products with similar-appearing plants in the deadly nightshade family. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Important Interactions
Those taking blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers, clonidine, or hydralazine, or blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or pentoxifylline (Trental), should use Coleus forskohlii only under the supervision of a physician.
Bibliography
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"Forskolin." Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2 June 2023, www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/forskolin. Accessed 17 Sept. 2024.
Godard, Michael P., et al. "Body Composition and Hormonal Adaptations Associated with Forskolin Consumption in Overweight and Obese Men." Obesity Research, vol. 13, no. 8, 2005, pp. 1335-43, doi:10.1038/oby.2005.162. Accessed 17 Sept. 2024.
Pullaiah, T. "Traditional Medicinal Uses and Pharmacognosy of Coleus forskohlii." Forskolin, 2022, doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6521-0‗3.
Wilson, Debra Rose. "Does Forskolin Work? Uses, Risks, and Benefits." Medical News Today, 13 July 2023, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319370#what-are-the-suggested-uses-of-forskolin. Accessed 17 Sept. 2024.