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Coleus Forskohlii: What Forskolin Does and Doesn't Show
Coleus forskohlii is a plant whose root yields forskolin, sold for weight and heart claims. Memorial Sloan Kettering says clinical studies showing safety and effectiveness are lacking. Payarmin lists coleus forskohlii root extract ninth in its blend, at no more than 22 mg per 1 mL.
Written by the Payarmin label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Plant and compound01
What is coleus forskohlii, and what is forskolin?
Coleus forskohlii is the herb. Forskolin is the compound it contains, and the name labels use for the supplement (MSKCC, Forskolin).
Claimed uses include asthma, heart disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure and weight loss. Memorial Sloan Kettering says plainly that clinical studies showing its safety and effectiveness are lacking (MSKCC, Forskolin).
The page makes no blood sugar claim (MSKCC, Forskolin), so neither do we.
| Claimed use | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | Two trials used intravenous forskolin; oral forms not tested in people |
| Weight loss | One small study suggests possible benefit in obese men |
| High blood pressure | No proof from human trials |
| Safety and effectiveness | Clinical studies lacking |
Cautions02
What are the side effects of forskolin?
Reported effects include low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, diarrhea and stomach symptoms. A fast heart rate and headache are also listed (MSKCC, Forskolin).
People with polycystic kidney disease should not use it (MSKCC, Forskolin).
Lab studies suggest forskolin may lower blood pressure, may affect bleeding, and may raise CYP3A activity. That bears on blood pressure drugs, warfarin and other blood thinners, and drugs cleared by CYP3A. The source says the clinical relevance has not been determined (MSKCC, Forskolin).
Keep taking prescribed medicine. Ask a pharmacist whether forskolin matters for yours.
On the Payarmin label03
How much coleus forskohlii is in Payarmin?
The label does not say. Coleus forskohlii root extract is 9th of 22, so it holds at most 22 mg per 1 mL (200 divided by 9).
That figure comes from label order, which the law requires, and not from a lab result (eCFR, 21 CFR 101.36). The sources we cite give no studied oral dose to compare with.
A small amount does not remove the cautions, and it does not show a benefit. See the ingredients page for the other 21 blend lines and the side effects page for the caffeine and licorice cautions.
FAQ04
Coleus and forskolin questions
Is forskolin the same as coleus forskohlii?
Forskolin is the compound found in the coleus forskohlii plant. Supplements may be sold under either name. Payarmin prints the plant name, coleus forskohlii root extract, on its label.
Does forskolin help weight loss?
One small clinical study suggests possible benefits in obese men, says Memorial Sloan Kettering, but it also states that clinical studies showing effectiveness are lacking. It is not an established weight-loss aid.
Can forskolin interact with blood thinners?
Lab studies suggest it may affect bleeding, which is relevant to warfarin. The source says clinical relevance is undetermined, so ask a pharmacist before combining them.
Who should avoid forskolin?
Memorial Sloan Kettering says people with polycystic kidney disease should not use it. Anyone on blood pressure medicine or blood thinners should ask a clinician first.
Who wrote this05
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Gopayarmin, a Payarmin U.S. shop, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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