Supplement

Coleus forskohlii

Coleus forskohlii is a mint-family plant whose root contains forskolin, a compound thought to raise cAMP, a signal that helps cells regulate fat metabolism. People mostly look at it for bone health, where the evidence is limited, and the related trials found body fat went down while appetite showed no clear difference. Those studies were small, with around 30 people, so it is too early to say much more.

Updated 30 September 2026
How we grade
8 studies cited

Best evidence: Grade C
Conditions studied: 11
Outcomes: 68
Graded outcomes: 0036

Evidence by condition

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

11 conditions

Low Testosterone

Low Testosterone: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Body Fat Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		30 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	30 people
Studies that measured weight Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958 Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941 Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247
	Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	30 people
Studies that measured muscle mass Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese menObes Res · PMID 16129715
	Bone Mineral Density	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people

Bone Health

Bone Health: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Body Fat Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		30 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	30 people
Studies that measured weight Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958 Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941 Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247
	Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	30 people
Studies that measured muscle mass Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese menObes Res · PMID 16129715
	Bone Mineral Density	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people

Metabolic Health

Fatigue Symptoms: improves
Weight: improves

Metabolic Health: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Fatigue Symptoms Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		23 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	23 people
Studies that measured weight Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958 Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941 Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247

Obesity

Appetite
Blood glucose
Weight: improves

Obesity: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Appetite No effect		NoneNo effect		30 people
	Blood glucose No effect		NoneNo effect		30 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	34 people
Studies that measured weight Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958 Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941 Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Hip Circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			30 people
	Insulin Resistance	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist-Hip Ratio	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people

Body Composition

Appetite
Weight: improves
Blood glucose: improves

Body Composition: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Appetite No effect		NoneNo effect		30 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	53 people
Studies that measured weight Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958 Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941 Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247
	Blood glucose	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Fatigue Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			23 people
	Hip Circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			30 people
	Insulin Resistance	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist-Hip Ratio	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people

Weight Loss & Maintenance

Appetite
Weight: improves
Muscle Mass: improves

Weight Loss & Maintenance: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Appetite No effect		NoneNo effect		30 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	60 people
Studies that measured weight Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958 Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941 Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247
	Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	30 people
Studies that measured muscle mass Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese menObes Res · PMID 16129715
	Blood glucose	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Body Fat	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Bone Mineral Density	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people
	Hip Circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			30 people
	Insulin Resistance	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people
	Waist circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist-Hip Ratio	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people

Overweight

Appetite
Weight: improves
Blood glucose: improves

Overweight: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Appetite No effect		NoneNo effect		30 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	30 people
Studies that measured weight Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958 Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941 Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247
	Blood glucose	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Hip Circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			30 people
	Insulin Resistance	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist-Hip Ratio	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people

Appetite Regulation

Appetite
Weight: improves
Blood glucose: improves

Appetite Regulation: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Appetite No effect		NoneNo effect		30 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	30 people
Studies that measured weight Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958 Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941 Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247
	Blood glucose	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Hip Circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			30 people
	Insulin Resistance	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist circumference	Improves (the measure goes down)			30 people
	Waist-Hip Ratio	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people

Eye Health

Intraocular Pressure: improves

Eye Health: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Intraocular Pressure	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	22 people
Studies that measured intraocular pressure The effects of forskolin eye drops on intra-ocular pressureS Afr Med J · PMID 3554560 Effect of forskolin eyedrops on intraocular pressure in healthy malesKlin Monbl Augenheilkd · PMID 6543235

Asthma

Asthma Symptoms: improves

Asthma: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Asthma Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	40 people
Studies that measured asthma symptoms Protective effect of forskolin in acetylcholine provocation in healthy probands. Comparison of 2 doses with fenoterol and placeboWien Med Wochenschr · PMID 3551340 Forskolin versus sodium cromoglycate for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blinded clinical trialJ Int Med Res · PMID 16749416

Respiratory Health

Asthma Symptoms: improves

Respiratory Health: outcomes studied for Coleus forskohlii
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Asthma Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	12 people
Studies that measured asthma symptoms Protective effect of forskolin in acetylcholine provocation in healthy probands. Comparison of 2 doses with fenoterol and placeboWien Med Wochenschr · PMID 3551340 Forskolin versus sodium cromoglycate for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blinded clinical trialJ Int Med Res · PMID 16749416

Key findings

Body FatLow TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes down)
Fatigue SymptomsMetabolic HealthImproves (the measure goes down)
AppetiteObesity

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Grade C

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Studies cited

8 studies from PubMed

Protective effect of forskolin in acetylcholine provocation in healthy probands. Comparison of 2 doses with fenoterol and placeboWien Med Wochenschr · PMID 3551340
Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight womenJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18500958
Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled TrialNutrients · PMID 26593941
The effects of forskolin eye drops on intra-ocular pressureS Afr Med J · PMID 3554560
Effect of forskolin eyedrops on intraocular pressure in healthy malesKlin Monbl Augenheilkd · PMID 6543235
Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese menObes Res · PMID 16129715
Forskolin versus sodium cromoglycate for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blinded clinical trialJ Int Med Res · PMID 16749416
Regional fat loss from the thigh in obese women after adrenergic modulationClin Ther · PMID 2894247

Evidence by condition

Key findings

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Studies cited

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