Coleus: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Sanskrit: Ma-kandı- Botanical: Coleus forskohlii

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Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Pungent
Quality (Guna)
Light, dry
Potency (Virya)
Heating
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent
Dosha Effect
Dos.aHIIHFW93.ï
Key Constituents
Essential oil Diterpenes Forskolin (prev. coleonol) (Bone 1996)
Dhatu
Plasma, blood
Srotas
Respiratory, circulatory

What is Coleus?

Coleus is a small perennial plant that grows on the lower foothills of India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It has received much scientific interest in recent years and is now renowned for its beneficial effect on the skin, heart, on blood pressure and glaucoma.

Ayurvedic Properties

PropertyValue
Rasa (taste)Pungent
Vīrya (energy)Heating
Vipāka (post-digestive)Pungent
Guṇa (quality)Light, dry
Doṣa effectDos.aHIIHFW93.ï
Dhātu (tissue)Plasma, blood
Srotas (channel)Respiratory, circulatory

Therapeutic Actions

  • Caks• us• ya: Benefits the eyes Kāsaśvāsahara Alleviates coughing and benefits breathing
  • Kus• t• haghna: Alleviates skin diseases
  • Hr• daya: Heart tonic
  • Biomedical: Ophthalmic, antiallergenic, bronchodilator, hypotensive, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) enzyme activator, alterative

Safety & Contraindications

Contraindications: Hypotension

Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known. Caution when used with other medication as it may potentiate its effects, and in patients with peptic ulcers (Bone 2003).

Dosage & Combinations

Dosage: 5–10g per day, 3–15ml of a 1:3 @ 25% tincture or 250–750mg three times per day of a 10:1 forskolin extract.

Combinations:

  • Amalaki, triphala, punarnava, sevanti for glaucoma.
  • Amalaki, punarnava, arjuna for heart conditions.
  • Anthrapachaka, vasa, pippali, ephedra for lung conditions.
  • Guggulu and bola in thyroid underactivity.

How to Use Coleus by Condition

Explore how Coleus is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.