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Herb Profile

Coleus Forskohlii

Coleus Forskohlii carries a Grade C rating — limited evidence.

Last reviewed: Report a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited

Use extra caution — May lower blood pressure or increase heart rate in sensitive users. Details

Evidence
Limited Evidence
Typical onset
Varies by prep
Safety rating
High caution
Best for
Cognitive
Avoid / review if
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding, Hypotension, Bleeding Disorders
Coleus Forskohlii monograph visual
Generated profile category visual

At a glance

From this profile's structured data
Evidence
Grade C
Safety
May lower blood pressure or increase heart rate in sensitive users.
Profile context
cognitive
Next steps

Continue reading

Safety

Safety & Cautions

May lower blood pressure or increase heart rate in sensitive users. Caution with anticoagulants, antihypertensives, nitrates, and perioperative use.

High caution

Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.

  • Anticoagulant CautionBleeding or anticoagulant-adjacent caution language is present.
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding CautionPregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Detailed safety fields

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications

  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
  • Hypotension
  • Bleeding Disorders
  • And Cardiovascular Disease Without Clinician Oversight.
  • Potential Additive Effects With Antihypertensives
  • Nitrates
  • Antiplatelets/Anticoagulants
  • And Bronchodilator Style Regimens.

Safety classifications

  • Anticoagulant Caution: Bleeding or anticoagulant-adjacent caution language is present.
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution: Pregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.

Full safety note

  • May lower blood pressure or increase heart rate in sensitive users. Caution with anticoagulants, antihypertensives, nitrates, and perioperative use.

Safety labels

  • Anticoagulant Caution
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution

Evidence-based safety

Caution when combined

Severity and certainty are shown separately. A high-priority caution can still be theoretical: these pairings are screened from shared contraindication mechanisms and are not automatically documented clinical interactions. Provenance identifies the source fields that produced each flag; it does not upgrade the certainty of the pairwise claim.

High-Priority Caution

147 flagged pairings

Bleeding / anticoagulant risk

Moderate Caution

81 flagged pairings

Blood-pressure effects

Evidence

Evidence Summary

Evidence lens

Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.

LimitedLimited Evidence

Human clinical evidence: Not the primary signal

Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Neuroprotective Activity

Research maturity: Theoretical / mechanistic research — Mechanistic or unresolved evidence is kept separate from established human outcomes.

Safety boundary: Safety note available — May lower blood pressure or increase heart rate in sensitive users.

How evidence grades work

Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.

Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials

Dosing & Timing

No standardized dose
Preparation specific; use standardized product label for Evidence is strongest for standardized forskolin extracts and require source backed dosage review before therapeutic claims.
How Coleus Forskohlii works

Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.

Mechanism Pathway — How Coleus Forskohlii Works

How Coleus Forskohlii WorksColeus Forskohlii acts on biological target pathways via neuroprotective (activity), leading to cognitive health.Coleus ForskohliiBiological TargetBiological pathwayNeuroprotectiveActivityCognitive HealthMental performance
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
  • Neuroprotective Activity

Active Compounds

Key constituents studied in Coleus Forskohlii, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.

Compare related active botanicals

Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.

Compare & Sourcing

Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.

Safety first · Harm reduction

This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.

Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.

Editorial Review

Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.

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