Weight/Heart/Hormonal

Forskolin

Herbal extract from Coleus forskohlii that may modestly reduce body fat and blood pressure in overweight adults, but evidence is limited.

Forskolin

Herbal extract from Coleus forskohlii that may modestly reduce body fat and blood pressure in overweight adults, but evidence is limited.

score

evidence

Caution

risk

Proven Benefits

01May reduce body fat

02May lower blood pressure

03May improve fasting glucose

04May improve lipid profile

05May support free testosterone

Chemical Forms

Recommended

Coleus forskohlii root extract standardized to 10% forskolin
Coleus forskohlii root extract standardized to 20% forskolin
Standardized forskolin extract (label-stated % and mg per serving)

Avoid

Raw Coleus forskohlii root powder (low active content, unstandardized)
Proprietary blends hiding forskolin dose

Expert Note

Standardized root extracts match the material used in human trials and give a predictable forskolin dose. Raw root powder varies widely and often contains too little active compound to reproduce published effects.

Protocol

Amount

250 mg of 10% extract

Frequency

Twice daily

When

30 minutes before meals.

Condition-Based Dosing

General weight-management support

250 mg of 10% extract twice daily (25 mg forskolin per dose; 50 mg/day)— Best-studied short-term regimen; effects are modest and variable.

Overweight men in a supervised fat-loss trial

500 mg of 10% extract twice daily (50 mg forskolin per dose; 100 mg/day)— Used in a higher-dose short-term trial; monitor blood pressure closely.

Safety & Limits

Upper Safe Limit

1,000 mg/day of 10% extract (highest short-term RCT dose; no official UL)

Cycling

8-12 weeks on, then stop or reassess; no long-term safety data beyond 12 weeks

Contraindications

Hypotension or antihypertensive therapy — risk of excessive blood pressure drop

Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy — theoretical increased bleeding risk

Pregnancy or breastfeeding — insufficient safety data

Surgery — discontinue 2 weeks before due to bleeding risk

Avoid Combining With

✕Antihypertensive medications (additive BP lowering — monitor closely)
✕Caffeine or pre-workouts (may worsen palpitations and dizziness)
✕Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (theoretical bleeding risk)

Updated Invalid Date