Coleus forskohlii is an herb historically used in Ayurveda (Ayurvedic medicine).
Today, Coleus forskohlii is used as a fat burning supplement.
The main bioactive ingredient in Coleus forskohlii is called forskolin. Through forskolin, Coleus forskohlii supplementation may increase testosterone, and protect against cancer and inflammation. Further research is needed to confirm these effects, since forskolin is most often used as a research tool in vitro, or outside the body, like in a test tube or petri dish. Forskolin may act differently inside the body.
Forskolin increases cellular levels of a molecule called cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Elevated cAMP levels are associated with increased rates of fat loss, and can improve the effects of other fat burning compounds.
Forskolin is still being researched for its effects on testosterone and fat loss, but preliminary evidence is promising.