Overview

Coleus is a plant from the mint family. It grows in tropical regions of Asia such as Nepal, India, and Thailand. The root is used as medicine. Coleus root contains a chemical called forskolin. Herbal product manufacturers often produce coleus extracts that contain high levels of forskolin. These preparations are being promoted for the same conditions for which forskolin has been traditionally used.

Coleus or forskolin are used for high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), asthma, dry eye, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.

How does it work ?

Forskolin works on muscles in the heart and in the walls of the blood vessels. It produces a more powerful heartbeat and widening of the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.

Forskolin works on muscles in the heart and in the walls of the blood vessels. It produces a more powerful heartbeat and widening of the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • A heart condition called idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy. Some research shows that giving coleus intravenously (by IV) may improve the function of the heart in people with congestive cardiomyopathy.
  • Asthma. Some research shows that inhaling a single dose of coleus can improve symptoms of asthma.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Asthma. It's unclear if coleus is beneficial for people with asthma. Research findings are inconsistent. Some research shows that inhaling a chemical from coleus called forskolin might improve breathing. Some research also shows that taking forskolin by mouth might reduce asthma attacks. But other research shows no benefit.
  • Dry eye. Early research shows that taking a supplement containing coleus extract and other ingredients for 30 days moderately decreases dry eye symptoms. It's unclear if this benefit is due to coleus, other ingredients, or the combination.
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED). Early research shows that injecting coleus into the base of the penis along with the drugs phentolamine, papaverine, and prostaglandin E1 improves sexual function in men with ED.
  • High blood pressure. Early research shows that taking coleus root tuber or coleus whole root tablets for 2 months slightly decreases in blood pressure in elderly people with high blood pressure.
  • Weakened and enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy). Some research shows that giving forskolin, a chemical found in coleus, by injection improves the function of the heart in people with a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.
  • A group of eye disorders that can lead to vision loss (glaucoma). Early research shows that taking a specific supplement containing forskolin and other ingredients may slightly decrease eye pressure in people with glaucoma. Taking a different product containing coleus extract and other ingredients in addition to prescription drug therapy decreases eye pressure in people with glaucoma. It's unclear if these improvements are due to coleus, other ingredients, or the combination.
  • Obesity. Early research shows that taking coleus extract doesn't decrease weight. But it may modestly decrease body fat in overweight and obese men. However, other early research has found no benefit for weight or fat loss.
  • Allergies.
  • Blood clots.
  • Cancer.
  • Chest pain (angina).
  • Insomnia.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Period pains.
  • Seizures.
  • Skin.
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder infections.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of forskolin for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Coleus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts. Coleus seems to be safe in doses of 500 mg or less. But coleus is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in larger doses. It can cause diarrhea, loose stools, and other side effects.

When given by IV: Coleus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when given by IV. It can cause flushing and low blood pressure.

When inhaled: Coleus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when inhaled (breathed in). It can cause throat irritation, cough, tremor, and restlessness.

When applied into the eye: Coleus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when applied as eye drops. Eye drops containing coleus can cause stinging.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Coleus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts. Coleus seems to be safe in doses of 500 mg or less. But coleus is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in larger doses. It can cause diarrhea, loose stools, and other side effects.

When given by IV: Coleus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when given by IV. It can cause flushing and low blood pressure.

When inhaled: Coleus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when inhaled (breathed in). It can cause throat irritation, cough, tremor, and restlessness.

When applied into the eye: Coleus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when applied as eye drops. Eye drops containing coleus can cause stinging.

Pregnancy: Coleus is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used during pregnancy. High doses of coleus might slow or stop the growth of the fetus. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking coleus if you are breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Coleus contains a chemical called forskolin that might increase the risk of bleeding in some people.

Heart disease: Coleus contains a chemical called forskolin that might lower blood pressure. There is some concern that coleus might interfere with treatment for heart or blood vessel diseases and could make these conditions worse. Use coleus with caution if you have a heart problem.

Low blood pressure: Coleus contains a chemical called forskolin that might lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure is already low, taking coleus might make it drop too much.

Surgery: Coleus contains a chemical called forskolin that might increase bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using coleus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

    Major Interaction

    Do not take this combination

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Calcium channel blockers) interacts with COLEUS

    Coleus might decrease blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers are a type of medicine used to decrease blood pressure. Taking coleus with calcium channel blockers might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Don't use coleus if you are taking calcium channel blockers.

    Some calcium channel blockers include nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and others.

  • Medications that increase blood flow to the heart (Nitrates) interacts with COLEUS

    Coleus increases blood flow. Taking coleus with medications that increase blood flow to the heart might increase the chance of dizziness and lightheadedness. Don't use coleus if you are taking medications that increase blood flow to the heart.

    Some of these medications that increase blood flow to the heart include nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat) and isosorbide (Imdur, Isordil, Sorbitrate).

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with COLEUS

    Coleus might slow blood clotting. Taking coleus along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

    Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with COLEUS

    Coleus might decrease blood pressure. Taking coleus along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

    Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with COLEUS

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with COLEUS

  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with COLEUS

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

INTRAVENOUS:
  • Healthcare providers give forskolin intravenously (by IV) for a heart condition called idiopathic congestive cardiopathy.
INHALATION:
  • Under medical supervision, people with asthma breathe in forskolin powder using a Spinhaler inhalator.
View References

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.