Coleus Forskohlii
EVIDENCE: WEAKAlso sold as: forskolin, Plectranthus barbatus, Indian coleus
Coleus forskohlii root extract supplies forskolin, sold for fat loss. Two small 12-week trials using 500 mg a day of a 10% forskolin extract gave mixed results: one found less body fat in men, the other found no weight loss in women.
Compiled by iSupplementReviews editorial team ·Researched 2026-10-16 · 3 sources
- Type
- Botanical root extract
- Studied dose
- 250 mg of 10% forskolin extract twice daily (50 mg forskolin/day)
- Best form
- root extract standardized to 10% forskolin
- Our rating
- WEAK — Mostly small, animal, or traditional evidence
What is coleus forskohlii?
Coleus forskohlii is a mint-family plant whose root contains forskolin, a compound sold as a fat-loss aid. It has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine.
Other names and forms
Forskolin, Indian coleus, Plectranthus barbatus. Look for a stated forskolin percentage; trials used 10%.
Where does coleus forskohlii come from?
The root of a plant native to India, Nepal and Thailand.
How does coleus forskohlii work in the body?
Forskolin raises cyclic AMP inside cells, a signal involved in fat breakdown and muscle relaxation. Whether oral doses do this enough to change body fat in people is not established.
What is coleus forskohlii claimed to do?
Burn fat, raise testosterone, aid weight loss and support blood sugar.
What does the research show?
| Claim | Evidence | Dose studied | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body fat in overweight men | One small RCT | 500 mg/day of 10% extract | Weak positive |
| Weight in overweight women | One small RCT | 500 mg/day of 10% extract | No effect |
| Blood sugar | No meaningful human trials | — | Insufficient |
Men
Forskolin reduced body-fat percentage in one small trial of men. Godard et al. (2005) gave 30 overweight or obese men 250 mg of 10% extract twice a day for 12 weeks. Body fat fell and lean mass rose versus placebo; body weight did not change.
Women
A similar trial in women found no weight loss. Henderson et al. (2005) gave 23 mildly overweight women the same dose for 12 weeks. They did not lose weight, though they gained less fat than the placebo group.
What dose was studied?
| Goal | Dose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Body composition | 250 mg of 10% forskolin extract, twice daily | 12 weeks |
Side effects
Loose stools; possible drop in blood pressure.
Drug interactions
- Blood-pressure drugs: may add to their effect (moderate).
- Anticoagulants and antiplatelets: may increase bleeding risk (moderate, theoretical).
Who should not take coleus forskohlii?
People with low blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or upcoming surgery; pregnant people.
What the authorities say
No health authority recognizes forskolin as an effective weight-loss aid. Herbal weight-loss products as a class carry adverse-event concerns (Pittler et al., 2005).
What to know about coleus forskohlii
Forskolin’s fat-loss evidence is two small 12-week trials at 500 mg a day of a 10% extract, with mixed results. There is no meaningful human evidence for blood sugar.
Frequently asked questions about Coleus Forskohlii
Does forskolin burn fat?
The evidence is weak. In one 12-week trial of 30 overweight men, 500 mg a day of 10% forskolin extract lowered body-fat percentage; a similar trial in 23 women found no weight loss.
Is coleus the same as forskolin?
Forskolin is the main active compound in Coleus forskohlii root. Products should state how much forskolin they contain; 10% is the standardization used in trials.
Is forskolin safe?
Short trials reported few side effects. It may lower blood pressure and can interact with blood-pressure and blood-thinning drugs.
References
- [1]Godard MP et al. — Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese men (Obes Res, 2005)
- [2]Henderson S et al. — Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight women (J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2005)
- [3]Pittler MH et al. — Adverse events of herbal food supplements for body weight reduction: systematic review (Obes Rev, 2005)
Products we reviewed containing Coleus Forskohlii
Based on recorded labels or seller-described formulas. Inclusion does not establish a match to the strains, preparations or amounts studied here; check each review's disclosure limits.