Botanical atlas
Coleus (Indian Coleus / Forskohlii)
Plectranthus barbatus
In Ayurvedic medicine, the tuberous root of coleus has been dug, dried, and prepared as a remedy for centuries across India, where it was valued for supporting the heart and lungs and for easing sluggish digestion. Village herbalists traditionally simmered the root into a decoction for people struggling to breathe or feeling weak in the chest, long before Western scientists isolated the compound forskolin from its tissue. In some regions the fresh root was also pickled and eaten as a pungent, warming food, blurring the line between kitchen and medicine chest the way so many old herbs do. It remains one of the more thoroughly studied roots to come out of the traditional Ayurvedic pharmacy.
In tradition.
In Ayurvedic medicine, the tuberous root of coleus has been dug, dried, and prepared as a remedy for centuries across India, where it was valued for supporting the heart and lungs and for easing sluggish digestion. Village herbalists traditionally simmered the root into a decoction for people struggling to breathe or feeling weak in the chest, long before Western scientists isolated the compound forskolin from its tissue. In some regions the fresh root was also pickled and eaten as a pungent, warming food, blurring the line between kitchen and medicine chest the way so many old herbs do. It remains one of the more thoroughly studied roots to come out of the traditional Ayurvedic pharmacy.
Traditional preparations.
A gentle simmered preparation in the old Ayurvedic style, traditionally taken in small, occasional amounts rather than as a daily habit.
Traditionally, 1 teaspoon of dried, sliced coleus root is simmered gently in 250 ml of water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strained before drinking.
Safety.
Forskolin in coleus root can lower blood pressure and affect blood clotting, so avoid it with blood pressure medication, blood thinners, or antiplatelet drugs, and stop before surgery. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and caution is warranted with a heart condition, low blood pressure, or peptic ulcer.
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Ask about Coleus (Indian Coleus / Forskohlii)HerbSense shares traditional herbal knowledge for education, not diagnosis or treatment. Herbs can interact with medicines and conditions. Speak with your doctor before acting on anything here, and seek care promptly for anything severe, sudden, or worsening.