Other Names: Indian Coleus • Forskolin Plant • Makandi • Pashanabhedi
✨ Energetic & Astrological Profile
Element: Fire
Phase of the Moon: Waxing Moon
Zodiac Signs: Leo, Aries, Sagittarius — also stirs stagnant waters in Capricorn and Pisces.
Planets: Mars, Jupiter
Tarot Cards:
🔥 The Tower – awakening, breakthrough
💥 The Sun – vitality, bold expression
🌬 Knight of Wands – motivation and movement
🌀 Judgement – cellular awakening and inner alignment
🌍 Habitat & Sensory Nature
Coleus is native to subtropical India, especially the dry slopes of southern states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It thrives in full sunlight, sandy or loamy soil, and warm climates. Known for its lush, variegated leaves, it’s as much a visual joy as a medicinal ally.
Flavour: Pungent, slightly bitter
Temperature: Warming
Humidity: Dry
Tissue State Support: Cold, stagnation, hypo-function
🧬 Phytochemistry & Herbal Actions
Constituents:
- Forskolin (main active compound)
- Essential oils
- Flavonoids
- Sterols
- Triterpenes
Primary Actions:
Cardiotonic • Bronchodilator • Vasodilator • Fat metabolism enhancer • Anti-inflammatory • Mild adaptogen • Thyroid stimulant
💊 Medicinal Benefits
Coleus doesn’t tiptoe — it charges in, energising cells and waking up sluggish systems. Its star compound, forskolin, activates an enzyme called adenylate cyclase, which increases cyclic AMP (cAMP) — a kind of cellular ignition switch that improves energy, metabolism, and hormonal signalling.
🌿 Cardiovascular Support
- Promotes vasodilation (widens blood vessels)
- It may help lower high blood pressure naturally
- Supports stronger, more efficient heart contractions
🌿 Respiratory Health
- Acts as a natural bronchodilator — may aid asthma and breathing difficulties
- Loosens phlegm and reduces inflammation in the lungs
🌿 Metabolic & Hormonal Balance
- Encourages fat breakdown and lean body composition
- Shows promise in supporting thyroid function (particularly in an underactive thyroid)
- Can support weight management alongside lifestyle changes
🌿 Cognitive & Mood Support
- By increasing cAMP, it may also boost dopamine production and mood clarity
- Traditionally used to awaken the spirit and “light the fire within”
🧘 Emotional & Energetic Benefits
Energetically, Coleus is like a spark to dry kindling — it reignites your motivation when your inner fire’s been dampened by routine, resistance, or low mood. For those who feel sluggish, stuck, or underexpressed, it brings heat, light, and movement.
- Invites you to step into boldness and physical vitality
- Supports “solar plexus” energy — personal power, drive, and transformation
- Good for stagnation rooted in emotional fear, especially fear of visibility or change
🧒 Child-Friendly Use
Not typically recommended for children due to its potent cardiovascular and metabolic effects.
⚠️ Contraindications
⚠ May interact with blood pressure medications and blood thinners
⚠ Use caution in cases of hyperthyroidism
⚠ Not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding
⚠ Can lower blood pressure — not for those already hypotensive
⚠ May cause mild stomach upset in sensitive individuals
🧪 Dosage & Preparation
🌼 Capsule (standardised extract): 50–250mg of forskolin daily (check standardisation)
🌼 Tincture: 10–30 drops of 1:5 extract in 30% alcohol, up to 2x daily
🌼 Root Powder: 1–2g daily, traditionally taken with warm water or honey
🛒 Shop This Herb
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🔮 Daz’s Diagnosis
Let’s be real — Coleus is for the ones who are done playing small. This herb isn’t here to sedate or stabilise — it’s here to wake up your system like a cold splash of water to the soul. It turns the lights back on, physically and energetically.
If you’ve been moving through life like you're wading through soup — tired, foggy, a bit lost — this herb says “Oi! Wake up. There’s life to live.” Just don’t take it late at night or when your nervous system’s already running on high alert.
She's feisty, but she means well.
Disclaimer: The information shared in these plant profiles is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. The uses and properties described are based on traditional knowledge, folk practices, and historical sources. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner or clinical herbalist before using any herbs, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.
