Forskolin Review: All You Need to Know

Forskolin is an herb that’s related to the mint plant. It’s a common ingredient in many weight-loss and testosterone supplements. It’s been used in alternative medicine for many years, with the understanding that it can help treat asthma, eye problems, insomnia, weight loss, and more.

To learn more about forskolin, I decided to give it a try but also to look deeper into the benefits, side effects, and the clinical research behind the ingredient. What you see here is the results of my research.

Forskolin is made from the root of a plant in the mint family that grows in Nepal, India, and Thailand.

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If you’d like to try it for yourself, Forskolin can be purchased through Amazon

1. What Is It: A Closer Look at Forskolin

Today’s Forskolin supplements are made with an extract that comes from the plant that’s native to parts of Southeast Asia. It is the active ingredient in Coleusforskohlii, which is known as a fat burner. Various sources indicate adding this supplement to your daily routine is supposed to reduce inflammation and boost testosterone levels.

2. History of the Brand: How Did Forskolin Start?

Since we’re talking about the supplement ingredient in general, rather than a particular brand of forskolin product, there isn’t really a deep history. The natural plant has been used for thousands of years as part of alternative medicine, but I remain skeptical as to whether it can help with everything it claims.

Pure Forskolin Extract for Weight Loss, Metabolism Booster and Belly Fat Burner

3. Types of products

Forskolin is most commonly found in a pill or capsule form. You can find it as a stand-alone product, or as an ingredient in other weight loss supplements. 

In addition to pills, you can find it in powder and drop form. People with asthma use the powder form in an inhaler available by prescription only. The drops are made with a 1% forskolin solution and intended for use in the eyes to help treat glaucoma.

Forskolin is also available as an intravenous solution, for healthcare professionals to administer. This method allows for rapid absorption and is used in patients with idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

4. Forskolin Ingredients

Forskolin is the ingredient. It may be combined with other ingredients to create a more effective supplement.

5. Where is it manufactured?

Forskolin is grown, rather than manufactured. It comes from the root of a plant in the mint family. The plant grows in Thailand, India, and Nepal.

6. Who’s Forskolin For?

Forskolin is for healthy adults seeking to lose weight. It is not for children, women who are pregnant or nursing, or those with health conditions. 

It is also for people with asthma, glaucoma, and hypertension. However, for those conditions, it is best to speak with a doctor to ensure you’re taking the right amount to get the results you’re looking for.

7. How Does Forskolin Work?

Forskolin seems to work in a manner similar to some types of conventional medications used to treat asthma. Forskolin boosts cyclic AMP, which helps to relax muscles around the bronchial tubes making it easier to breathe. I was unable to find anything that explains why or how it works to help promote weight loss.

Forskolin for weight loss pills help to suppress your appetite and can support healthy weight management and food portion control.

8. Does Forskolin Work?

Forskolin seems to work differently for men than it does for women. Studies show that it does contribute to fat loss for men, but in women, it only seems to prevent fat gain. Though the results were promising, they were not definitive. Additional studies need to be done to confirm the results. Another study showed applying a forskolin topically may help to reduce fat. 

No study has been able to provide an optimal recommended dose of forskolin to treat any condition. 

You’ll get the best results if you combine the use of forskolin with a healthy diet and exercise routine.

9. Forskolin Benefits and Results

Supplementing with forskolin may help reduce stress, reduce fat, and increase testosterone levels. One small study showed that overweight and obese men who took a 250 mg of a 10% extract twice a day lost more body fat and had a bigger increase in testosterone levels after 12 weeks than the men in the placebo group. But, more research needs to be done to confirm the results and to determine that it is safe to use.

10. As far as taste goes…

You shouldn’t have any issues with taste, because you’re only getting extracts in capsule form. No studies have been conducted on the whole herb, and it doesn’t seem beneficial to eat the plant.

11. Forskolin Side Effects

It’s unknown whether taking forskolin is safe, simply because it needs more scientific research. There are numerous side effects that have been reported, though. These include:

• Increased heart rate
• Flushing
• Low blood pressure
• Cough
• Tremor
• Upper respiratory tract irritation
• Restlessness
• Stinging of the eyes
• Enlarged blood vessels in the eyes
• Headache

12. Forskolin Product Warnings

People who are using certain medications should avoid taking forskolin. People who use blood thinners or certain high blood pressure drugs should avoid it because of the risk of interactions. Those with polycystic kidney disease, women who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant, and children, should also avoid this product. It’s always best to speak with your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough for a supplement before you add it to your daily routine. 

Forskolin may interact with:

• Calcium channel blockers
• Clonidine
• Hydralazine
• Beta-blockers

13. Any Forskolin Lawsuits?

At this time, there does not appear to be any lawsuits against any forskolin supplement manufacturers.

14. Customer Reviews on the Web: What Users Are Saying

“I am still evaluating the effectiveness of this product. It has been one week, and so far I am led to believe the hype over forskolin. I have lost 1″ of my waist and 8 lbs of weights. This is with a combination of diet and exercise, but this product appears to have jump-started the weight loss after a brief stall. I have 50 more lbs to go to get to my optimum weight.” – Michael 

After I lost 15lbs I decided to stop taking this product. Why? I wanted to see if I would gain back those 15lbs instantly, or if I could keep it off without changing much. It is now the end of March and I still am 12lbs down from the beginning of January (I had health issues and stress, which is what I am guessing those 3 lbs are attributed to)! I am convinced that this product helped me get the weight off and that it is something I can maintain as well! I just ordered 2 more bottles and am excited to see what I will be able to lose in that time.” – Sheila W.

“I read the reviews and tried very hard to ‘give it a chance’, but the pain, bloating, and noxious gas were just too much to bear. Sorry, I couldn’t continue with this product.” – Bernadette B.

15. Forskolin Competitors

There are several competitors, or alternatives available on the market today including:

• Chromium picolinate
• Glucomannan
• Chitosan
• Garcinia Cambogia

16. Would Forskolin Work with Your Diet?

Because it is a natural, plant-based ingredient, it should work with all diet types. That said, look at other ingredients in the formula if you don’t purchase a pure forskolin supplement. Other ingredients may affect whether or not it is safe for your diet.

17. Verdict: Would I Recommend Forskolin?

As much as I’d love to recommend every product I try, I can’t this time around.

Why not?

I just don’t think something like this is ready for the mass market. Without a standardized dose, it’s hard to say whether or not it really works. I think you’re better off trying something that has a bit more science behind it. But, if you’re dead set on trying forskolin, at least save yourself some money by using coupons to get a discount.

My advice? Just be realistic about your expectations and get as much information as you can before taking a supplement or food product.

Forskolin can be purchased through Amazon.