Coleus forskohlii

coleus jorskohlii

Coleus is one of the ingredients of Revision Formula and Dr. Grossman's Herbal Coleus Ultra Formula.

(Coleus forskohlii) is an herb in the mint family that is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Intraocular pressure. Coleus is used as an eyedrop to lower intraocular pressure (IOP). Its active ingredient has been used in IOP-lowering drugs,1 sometimes combined with other known IOP-reducers, such as L-carnosine, some B vitamins, magnesium, and folic acid.2 One such compound is forskolin, a coleus forskohlii derivative that lowers IOP by reducing flow of fluid into the center of the eye rather than increasing outflow.3 It may also lower intraocular pressure by relaxing smooth muscles in the eye.

1% forskolin has been tested in a 4-week open label study; the authors found it to be safe and effective in reducing IOP.4

Although coleus is not available in the United States in eyedrops form taken orally, it may help lower eye pressure.

Other health benefits. Coleus also has antihistamine properties, which may reduce the allergic component of increased eye pressure. Some researchers report that coleus also is anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and supports the cardiovascular system.

Footnotes

1. Wagh, V.D., Patil, P.N., Surana, S.J., Wagh, K.V. (2012). Forskolin: upcoming antiglaucoma molecule. J Postgrad Med, Jul-Sep;58(3):199-202.
2. Mutolo, M.G., Albanese, G., Rusciano, D., Pescosolido, N. (2016). Oral Administration of Forskolin, Homotaurine, Carnosine, and Folic Acid in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: Changes in Intraocular Pressure, Pattern Electroretinogram Amplitude, and Foveal Sensitivity. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther, Apr;32(3):178-83.
3. Caprioli, J., Sears, M., Bausher, L., Gregory, D., Mead, A. (1984). Forskolin lowers intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous inflow. Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci, Mar;25(3):268-77.
4. Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Natarajan S, Vaidyana P, et al. (2015). Efficacy and safety of 1% forskolin eye drops in open angle glaucoma - an open label study. Saudi J Ophthalmol. Jul-Sep;29(3):197-200.