Overview
Coleus is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for dry skin. 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.
How Coleus Helps with Dry Skin
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Coleus has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing dry skin:
- Potency (Virya): Heating
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Pungent
- Taste (Rasa): Pungent
- Qualities (Guna): Light, dry
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
Safety & Precautions
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).
Other Herbs for Dry Skin
See all herbs for dry skin on the Dry Skin page.
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.