Herb spotlight: Coleus forskohlii in the News for Its Potential Effect on Reducing Body Fat

Coleus forskohlii is an herb with a long tradition of use in the Ayurvedic tradition. In fact, Coleus is the Ayurvedic name of the herb. Some of the common Western names for this herb are blue spur flower and false boldo. The Latin name is Plectranthus barbatus.

In the Western herbal tradition its claim to fame is in supporting healthy blood pressure and the cardiovascular system. Recently there has been some interest in this herb’s effect on reducing body fat. A study in rats showed Coleus forskohlii extracts reduced body weight, food intake, and fat accumulation[1]. A small double-blind and randomized 12-week-long study concluded that Coleus forskolii mitigates weight gain but without causing any significant changes in fat mass or blood lipids. The Coleus group did report a decrease in fatigue and in hunger[2].

The active constituent in Coleus is forskolin, which increases the levels of the secondary messenger cAMP. The wide ranging effects of this include: bronchodilation, vasodilation, decreased platelet aggregation, lipolysis, a decrease in histamine release, and increased thyroid hormone secretion[3].

Coleus may be a helpful botanical addition to a diet and lifestyle plan to support health weight. However, it should be used in caution in those taking blood pressure or blood thinning medications, or with high stomach acid. Coleus should not be used in those that are pregnant or nursing.

References
[1] Han LK, Morimoto C, Yu RH, Okuda H. (2005). Effects of Coleus forskohlii on fat storage in ovariectomized rats. Yakugaku Zasshi. May;125(5):449-53.
[2] Henderson S, Magu B, Rasmussen C, Lancaster S, Kerksick C, Smith P, et al. (2005). Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight women. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. Dec 9;2:54-62.
[3] Coleus forskohlii. Monograph. [No authors listed] Altern Med Rev. 2006 Mar;11(1):47-51.

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Nutritional and Herbal Tips for Women Experiencing Menopause

Natural health tips and recipes for easing the menopause transition and improving overall health...

The article below originally appeared on the website BlogCritics.org.

BY: Dorene Petersen, ACHS President

Menopause is the natural cessation of menstruation and ovulation, which typically occurs in women ages 40-55. Though menopause is sometimes called the “change of life,” it does not have to change your life in a negative way. Rather, there are many natural strategies you can use to make the transition as smooth and health-promoting as possible.

Nutrition is a big part of everyday life and, for that reason, one of the best tools you can use to control any menopause-related symptoms. Once you know how to select foods that will support your body during menopause, you will feel more in control of what your body is experiencing, but you will also be practicing the best medicine possible — prevention.

Menopause is often associated with stressful symptoms like hot flashes, sweating, irritability, depression, and stomach upset. Why is that? Many naturopathic and allopathic doctors attribute menstruation with the ability to eliminate toxins from the body. Once menstruation ends, toxins have to find new channels and can overload other eliminatory channels. When this occurs, physical symptoms of toxicity appear.

Women cannot stop menopause from happening. But, we can ease the transition with a good nutrition program. There has been a lot of research about the role herbs can play in balancing hormones in the body. Plant saponins, such as the diosgenin found in wild yam, cause a mild balancing response by binding directly to hormone receptors. The following herbs contain beneficial saponins: black cohosh, dong quai, elder, ginseng, licorice, passion flower, and wild yam.

In addition, herbs can supply the extra nutrients needed during menopause. Calcium-rich herbs, for example, support bone health and are easy to incorporate into the daily diet via cooked meals or teas, including: alfalfa, cayenne, chamomile, chives, cleavers, dandelion, dill, parsley, plantain, red raspberry, red clover, rosehip, watercress, and yellow dock.

Additional vitamin and nutrient-rich herbs that can ease menopause include:

• Vitamin C (healthy teeth and gums, heart health, and clears out toxins): alfalfa, catnip, cayenne, dandelion, hawthorn, parsley, red raspberry, and rosehips.
• Vitamin E (for heart health and arteries): alfalfa, dandelion, kelp, red raspberry, rosehips, and watercress.
• Iodine (promotes nerve and brain activity and regulates metabolism): garlic, Irish moss, kelp, mustard, nettle, and parsley.
• Vitamin B1 (nervous and digestive system health): cayenne, dandelion, fathen, fenugreek, kelp, and watercress.
• Vitamin B2 (eye health): burdock, dandelion, fenugreek, parsley, and watercress.
• Vitamin B3 (niacin supports the adrenal glands; deficiency symptoms include insomnia, depression, and irritability): alfalfa, burdock, fathen, kelp, parsley, and sage.
  

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