Coleus forskohlii
Common name: Coleus
Family: Lamiaceae
Part used: Root
Habitat: Coleus is an aromatic member of the mint family, native and anturalised to subtropical regions of southern Asia and central to southern America. The leaves are green bordered with a purple centre, with the whole plant growing to 30-60cm tall. The roots are thick and fibrous, reaching to 60cm below ground.
Folklore and History: Coleus is well known in Ayurvedic medicine, which is one of the oldest written medicine traditions in the world, and more recently has been the subject of extensive pharmaceutcal research.
Constituents: Diterpenoids including forskolin (which has been used pharmaceutically and researched extensively in relation to heart complaints and asthma) and colenol, phenolic acids, flavonoids, bitter principles.
Actions: Hypotensive (blood pressure lowering), cardiotonic, antiplatelet, sparmolytic (relieves muscle spasm), bronchospasmolytic (relieves spasm in the airways), aromatic digestive and digestive stimulant.
Traditional and current uses:
- Cardiovascular complaints, with appropriate professional healthcare supervision: congestive heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure),coronary heart disease, thrombosis(due to antiplatelet activity)
- Asthma
- Psoriasis
- Topically for glaucoma (sterile, filtered and alcohol free traditional preparation)
Disclaimer: The information on this website is provided for educational use only, and is not intended as a replacement for the services of a qualified medical herbalist, doctor or licensed health practitioner. The information contained herein is not diagnostic, always consult a medical health professional before embarking on a treatment programme. Urban Fringe Dispensary disclaims any liability, loss, injury or damage incurred as a consequence of the use and application of the advice given herein.
