Kingdom Plantae Family Lamiaceae Scientific name Plectranthus barbatus Rank Species | Order Lamiales Genus Plectranthus Higher classification Plectranthus | |
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Similar Plectranthus, Lamiaceae, Boldo, Solenostemon, Garcinia gummi‑gutta |
Plectranthus barbatus, also known by the synonym Coleus forskohlii and vernacular names forskohlii and Indian coleus, is a tropical perennial plant related to the typical coleus species. It is interesting from a scientific and medicinal standpoint because it produces forskolin.
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In Marathi the plant roots are known as mainmula (माइनमुळा) and especially used for pickles. The pickle is supposed to help strengthen the heart muscles. In Kenya it is also referred to as Kikuyu toilet paper, as in rural areas its leaves are used as such.

Ayurveda
In Ayurvedic medicine Coleus species have been used to treat heart disease, convulsions, spasmodic pain and painful urination.
Home remedy

It is widely used as a home remedy in South America among both urban and rural developments, sometimes confused with the native plant with similar properties but different uses, boldo. Much of this success is because the boldo's planting is very simple: a single clean part of it's "trunk" sticked on dirt can produce a full grown bush in weeks.

The Brazilian name is boldo brasileiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈbowdu bɾɐziˈlejɾu], as opposed to the Chilean true boldo), boldo-da-terra ([ˈbowdu dɐ ˈtɛʁɐ]), boldo-de-jardim ([ˈbowdu dʒi ʒaʁˈdʒĩ]) or tapete-de-Oxalá ([tɐˈpetʃi dʒ oʃaˈla]) (Oxalá's carpet, because it's velvety texture), and it is used to alleviate digestive problems, particularly liver-related ones, such as headaches caused by hangovers and other consumption of alcohol, as well as excessive fat content in food.
Chemistry

Herbal teas made from Plectranthus barbatus contains rosmarinic acid and also flavonoid glucuronides and diterpenoids. The chemical constituents of Plectranthus barbatus showed activities in vitro, such as antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
Forskolin, which derives its name from the former binomial name Coleus forskohlii, is a constituent of Plectranthus barbatus.
