Coleus forskohlii is a plant native to India and Nepal, which has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. In the 18th century, Western researchers began to take an interest in this plant and its medicinal properties. Did you know that? It was in 1974 that researchers identified the active ingredient of the plant, forskolin, and discovered that it had beneficial properties for heart health. Zoom on this plant with multiple benefits.
What are the different varieties of coleus?
There is a large variety of coleus, two of which are the best known and used: coleus forskohlii and coleus blumei.
Coleus blumei is a semi-woody plant that grows to between 1 and 2 m tall. It has multiple stems, which are square in cross-section and have beautiful tricolored leaves with a delicate pink hue in the center. It is this beautiful colored foliage that made it famous.
The coleus forskohlii is a herbaceous perennial plant that can reach up to 60 cm in height. It has thick, slightly hairy, elongated leaves and clustered flowers that can be blue, red, pink or purple. The roots of the plant are thick and woody.
However, under human influence, the coleus has changed over the years. Due to numerous mutations, the range of colors of the plant has been expanded to cover almost all shades. Today there are several varieties, with large and small leaves, but also with whole leaves and cut leaves. There are more than 2000 different kinds of coleus in the world today!
How does coleus grow?
The coleus blooms in the warm season, between June and September. Coleus forskohlii is an herbaceous perennial that can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on the climatic conditions in your area. It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and moderate light, but can tolerate some shade. Seeds of coleus forskohlii can be planted in the ground or in a pot, germinating in 7 to 14 days.
Outdoors, coleus form large, beautiful, colorful beds. The roots of the plant are the most sought-after part in phytotherapy. Thus, they are harvested in autumn, when their concentration in forskolin is the strongest. Then they are dried, before being processed and incorporated into therapeutic preparations.
What are its ayurvedic properties?
The coleus is not only known for its beauty. It is also a plant particularly valued in ayurveda, for its multiple properties. Thus, the coleus is a natural source of forskolin, a natural active ingredient that is known for its fat burning benefits.
It is the molecule forskolin, also called coleonol, which gives its properties to coleus. It is actually an activator of adenylate cyclase; under this complex name hides an enzyme that plays an important role in the use of adipocytes, and which allows to give energy. By activating heat production, it also reduces the amount of fat circulating in the blood, for a real slimming effect.
Forskolin will also stimulate the elimination and degradation of fats in the body. This molecule would also have effects similar to those of ephedrine, which is used to treat asthma or hypertension.
