Forskolin is a plant extract of popular Indian herb, Coleus or Coleus Forskohlii. Biologically it belongs to mint family, and grows abundantly in different parts of India, Burma, and Thailand. In traditional Indian medicine, called Ayurveda, the use of the Coleus plant is known for centuries. Forskolin is known widely used for its capacity to boost the memory and burn unnecessary fat in the body. It has many other uses also, and these days several researches are underway for acquiring more knowledge and understanding its activity in the human body.
Chemical constituents of Forskolin
The biological name of Forskolin/Coleonol is Plectranthus barbatus. The principal constituents of Forskolin are diterpenoids and essential oil. Again, the main constituents of essential oil depend on location and time of harvesting the plant, in general, it contains monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Almost 70 different types of diterpenoids have been found in this herb.
Uses of Forskolin
Forskolin has wide many benefits for the human body. Some of these benefits are as follows –
- It is immensely beneficial for the overweight and obese people. On regular use, it burns body fats and increases lean mass of the body.
- It is also beneficial for treating asthma patients. Several studies have shown that, users of this supplement are less attacked by asthma. At the same time, it drastically reduces the severity of asthma attack. It is found to boost the levels of ‘cyclic AMP’, which helps to ease the muscles around the bronchial tubes. This in turn helps in free passage of air to and from the lungs.
- The product is famous for its antithrombotic effects too. It effectively inhibits platelet aggregation. Its inhibitory effects on C-kinase activation on platelets has also been found.
- Forskolin is also useful in several cardiovascular issues. It remarkably increases coronary blood flow. It also increases the blood flow in the kidneys and cerebrum.
- Forskolin is effective for people with idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy. This cardiovascular problem can even cause heart failure, but on regular use of Forskolin, heart functions increases to a large extent.
- It is also effective in glaucoma. It reduces the pressure in the eyes, which is a part of glaucoma.
- Forskolin increases the secretion of adenylate cyclase, which helps in multiple of cellular functions, including synthesis of proteins and carbohydrates.
- Forskolin rectifies many disorders in central nervous system (CNS). This supplement is found to enhance the activity of cAMP, which in turn helps to improve the symptoms in depression.
- Forskolin has several benefits for the skin also. It protects the skin from ‘Ultraviolet B light’. It also increases melanin in the hair follicles, thereby preventing early greying of hair.
- Studies have shown that Forskolin has the capacity to enhance the secretion of gastric and pancreatic acids. Thus, it helps in improved digestion of foods in the GI track.
Doses of Forskolin
Doses of Forskolin/Coleonol is determined depending on the requirement for which it is taken. Again, the percentage of Forskolin in the available supplements in the market vary largely, so doses also differ depending on the brand used for supplementing with Forskolin. In general, experts advise to use 25 mg to 60 mg of Forskolin per day.
Clare Louise 
Paul Petersen