Plectranthus barbatus

Indian Coleus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Plectranthus
Species:	P. barbatus
Binomial name
Plectranthus barbatus
Synonyms
Coleus barbatus Coleus forskohlii[reference required] Plectranthus forskalaei Willd. Plectranthus forskohlii

Plectranthus barbatus, or more commonly known as Coleus forskohlii and Indian Coleus (Kikuyu: Maigoya), is a tropical perennial plant related to the typical coleus species. It is interesting from a scientific and medicinal standpoint because it produces forskolin. In Kenya it is also referred to as Kikuyu toilet paper, as in rural areas its leaves are used as such.

Medicinal Use

In Ayurvedic medicine Coleus species have been used to treat heart disease, convulsions, spasmodic pain and painful urination.^[1] It is widely used as a domestic mild medicine in South America among both urban and rural developments, sometimes confused with the native plant with similar properties but different uses, boldo.

Note: Plectranthus forskalaei Vahl is a junior synonym of Plectranthus madagascariensis.

External links

• PLANTS Database image
• Plectranthus barbatus
• Research on suntanning effect of forskolin
• Plectranthus barbatus: A Review of Phytochemistry, Ethnobotanical Uses and Pharmacology - Part 1 https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/html/plantamedica/doi/10.1055/s-0029-1240898
• Plectranthus barbatus: A Review of Phytochemistry, Ethnobotanical Uses and Pharmacology - Part 2 https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/html/plantamedica/doi/10.1055/s-0029-1240919

References

1. ^ Dubey MP, Srimal RC, Nityanand S et al. (1981). "Pharmacological studies on coleonol, a hypotensive diterpene from Coleus forskohlii." J Ethnopharmacol. 3:1-13.