Coleus

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 3, 2025.

What are other common names?

• Coleus amboinicus
• Coleus barbatus
• Coleus forskohlii
• Plectranthus barbatus
• Borforsin
• Colforsin
• Colforsine
• Country Borage
• Cuban Oregano
• Forskohlii
• Forskolin
• Forskolina
• Forskoline
• French Thyme
• Indian Borage
• Indian Mint
• Makandi
• Soup Mint
• Spanish Thyme

What is this product used for?

Coleus is used by some people to help with asthma. It may help improve blood flow.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• This product may interfere with some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this and all drugs you are taking.

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

• Do not use this product if you are breastfeeding.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs for high blood pressure. This product may increase the effect of these drugs.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that lower your blood sugar. These are drugs like glipizide, acarbose, metformin, or rosiglitazone.

• If you have blood sugar problems, keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Heart problems

  • Blood pressure problems

  • Stomach ulcers

  • Kidney problems

  • Diabetes or blood sugar problems

  • Low mood or depression

What should I watch for?

• Flushing

• Feeling restless

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; fever; rash; hives; itching, discolored, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of low blood sugar. These include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.

• Signs of low blood pressure like feeling dizzy, weak, or tired; fainting; more thirst; or skin that is pale, cool, and clammy

• Fast heart rate or unusual heart beats

• Signs of bleeding problems. These include bruising or bleeding that is not normal; blood in your stools or dark, tarry colored stools; changes in menstrual periods like lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.

• Itching around the anus

• Very bad loose stools

Last Reviewed Date

2023-05-25

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