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Coleus Forskohlii

Description

Coleus forskohlii is a member of the mint family and has for many uses. In 1974, the Indian Central Drug Research Institute found that Coleus forskohlii could lower blood pressure and decrease muscle spasms.

Signs and Symptoms for Nutrient Applications

- Asthma - Allergies - Eczema - Menstrual cramps - Hypertension - Urinary bladder spasmosis - Intestinal colic - Congestive heart failure - Cerebrovascular insufficiency - Hypothyroidism - Cancer therapy adjunct - Malabsorption - Glaucoma

Clinical Applications/Research

Coleus Forskolhlii

The active subsance in coleus forskolhlii is forskolin, a substance found to increase cyclic cAMP, a natural substance in the body that plays a role in many different cellular functions. For example, forskolin has been found to stabilize the cells that release histamine and other inflammatory substances, suggesting its beneficial use in asthma, allergies and eczema. An increase in cAMP induces relaxation of smooth muscle, which is of benefit in asthma, menstrual cramps, hypertension and urinary bladder spasmosis. Coleus forskolhlii has been suggested as a treatment for psoriasis. Psoriasis seems to be related to low levels of cAMP in skin cells. Coleus increases cAMP throughout the cardiovascular system. This increase in cAMP results in increased cardiac contractile force, lower blood pressure due to the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. In congestive heart failure, coleus is best used with other cardioactive botanicals, such as Hawthorne. Coleus has also been shown to stimulate gastric acid and pepsinogen secretion in vitro (Hersey SJ, et al, Forskolin stimulation of acid and pepsinogen secretion by gastric glands. Biochem Biophys Acta 1983 Jan 25;755(2):293-99). Coleus has demonstrated anti-metastatic activity in lab animals (Agarwal KC et al, Forskolin: a potential antimetastatic agent. Int J Cancer 1983 Dec 15;32(6):801-4). Coleus has also been shown to mimic thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by inducing an increase in the enzyme thyroid peroxidase (TPO), which plays a central role in thyroid hormone synthesis (Collison KS, et al, Activation of the thyroid peroxidase gene in human thyroid cells: effect of thyrotrophin, forskolin and phorbol ester. J Mol Endocrinol 1989 Jul;3(1):1-5).

Contraindications/Toxicology

Low toxicity based on animal studies. Coleus forskohlii is contraindicated in hypotensive patients due to blood pressure lowering effects. It is also contraindicated in patients with peptic ulcers due to the effect of stimulating gastric acid secretion. Use caution for patients on anti-asthmatic and/or anti-hypertensive medicines due to the ability of Coleus to increase the effect of these agents. Use caution with blood thinners.

Disclaimer: The statements above have not been evaluated by the FDA. The nutritional suggestions and research provided are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. Please see your health care professional in all matters pertaining to your physical health.

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