Forskohlii
StarColeus barbatus
Synonyms: Plectranthus barbatus
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Ayurvedic medicine the tuberous root (Sanskrit makandi or mayani) is a long-established remedy used as a digestive stimulant (deepana) and for heart, abdominal and respiratory complaints, asthma, insomnia and convulsions, while in East African folk practice the leaves and roots are used for digestive and respiratory ailments (Kavitha et al., 2010; Lukhoba et al., 2006). The plant yields forskolin, a diterpene that activates adenylate cyclase; species-specific pharmacological studies document spasmolytic (antispasmodic), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, supporting the assigned Western properties (Lukhoba et al., 2006).
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Botanical Description
Coleus barbatus (now widely treated as Plectranthus barbatus, and in horticulture as Coleus forskohlii) is an aromatic perennial herb of the mint family reaching 0.3 to 0.6 m tall, with erect, branching, square stems often tinged purple. The thick, fleshy, tuberous roots are pale and fibrous. The opposite leaves are ovate, softly hairy and gland-dotted, with toothed margins and a strong camphoraceous scent when bruised. Small two-lipped flowers, pale blue to lilac, are borne in whorled spikes at the stem tips, each subtended by a leafy bract; the lower lip forms a boat-shaped landing platform for pollinators. The fruit is a cluster of four small smooth nutlets. Native to warm subtropical zones of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, it grows on dry sunny hill slopes and rocky open ground, and is cultivated commercially as the source of the diterpene forskolin.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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