What are the best brands of Forskolin supplements to buy in the UK and where can you find this product for sale?
Forskolin is the active extract found in the coleus forskohlii plant. It is used as a supplement for weight loss, energy, muscle growth and more.
In Ayurvedic medicine, coleus forskohlii is referred to as “Makandi,” its Sanskrit name. It has been used as medicine in Asian traditions for hundreds of years, but it is only within the past few decades that forskolin has been researched for its physiological effects.
There are a number of forskolin supplements available to buy in the UK. You may not see this product sold at your local Boots or Holland and Barrett store, but it is readily available online from sources like Amazon.



- Boosts thyroid function & lipolysis
- Promotes energy, stamina & concentration
- Supports weight loss & appetite suppression
Where to Purchase Forskolin in the UK
Related Topics
Food supplements in the UK are regulated by the Department of Health. This organization will sometimes limit the availability of a supplement that is found to be harmful.
There are currently no restrictions on the sale of forskolin in the UK. It is available to purchase without a prescription and can be found in a number of different forms.
Forskolin is sold on its own as a single-ingredient supplement or as part of a number of bodybuilding and weight loss supplements in the UK. You can find several vendors of this product from online outlets such as Amazon.co.uk. Supplements available on Amazon include:
Swanson Full Spectrum Coleus Foskohlii. This supplement contains 400 mg whole coleus root powder and is marketed as an Ayurvedic supplement for heart and respiratory health.
Health First Forskolin for Healthy Weight Loss and Blood Super Support. This supplement contains 500 mg of a 20% forskolin extract.
Earth’s Design 100% Pure Forskolin Extract. This supplement is marketed as a weight loss supplement and contains 250 mg of 20% forskolin extract.
VitaSense Forskolin 250mg. According to the label, this supplement contains 250 mg coleus forskohlii per vegetable capsule.
Forskolin 250-Max. This is one of the best-rated products on Amazon with 250mg pure Coleus Forskohlii root extract per dose, standardised to provide 20% extract or 50mg of the active ingredient.
Ved Coleus Forskohlii 500mg. Amazon rates this as the best-selling supplement in the category with the lowest price. According to the manufacturer, this supplement can “help to burn the fat without any exercises or strict dieting plan.”
Common Uses
In traditional medicinal use, coleus is used to treat allergies, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infections, insomnia, impotence and convulsions. Clinical studies have not been performed or are preliminary for many of these uses.
The most common reason for taking this supplement today is to promote weight loss. It is widely regarded as an effective and safe fat burner by people in the UK who want to get in better shape. Forskolin is also promoted to increase lean muscle mass and boost metabolism.
Two human trials have been performed to assess the effectiveness of forskolin for weight loss. The first trial involved 30 individuals who were categorized as obese.
The trial was a double-blind trial, with half of the participants receiving forskolin extract while the other received a placebo. At the end of the 12-week study, the subjects taking the supplement had lost body fat while gaining lean muscle.
In a second trial involving overweight women, forskolin was found to be no more effective for weight loss than a placebo. This supplement may work for weight loss by increasing thyroid hormone activity.
Researchers have found some evidence that forskolin may be effective against asthma when inhaled. When given intravenously, coleus may be effective at treating idiopathic heart issues.
In one research trial, the herbal extract was found to increase bone mass in men when taken over a 12-week period. It has also been shown to increase testosterone levels and is sometimes used by bodybuilders.
Two studies have indicated that forskolin, when applied to the eyes in drop form, can reduce pressure inside the eyeballs. It has been used as an herbal remedy for glaucoma but is not approved for this use.
In animal trials, the plant extract has been shown to lower blood pressure. In human trials, forskolin was shown to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels by 8.65% to 10%.
Some research also suggests that it may have benefits for memory and cognitive performance. This supplement increases levels of an intracellular secondary messenger known as cAMP, which plays a role in a wide range of functions in the body.
How to Take Forskolin Supplements
Oral supplements are typically used in a dosage of between 25mg to 100 mg of forskolin extract per serving. Different supplements may contain different concentrations of active extract which is why it is important to measure your doses based on the standardised forskolin dosage per serving.
The following dosages were used in studies on the supplement’s effects or in natural health applications:
- For fat loss in obese men, 250 mg of 10% forskolin solution was taken two times a day for 12 weeks.
- Natural health resources recommend a dosage of 50 mg 18% forskolin extract of 250 mg of 1% forskolin extract between one and three times each day.
- A dose between 6 and 12 grams of dried root preparation was recommended per day. In another instance, a dose of 2 to 5 mg was recommended two to three times per day.
It is typically taken once or twice per day prior to food. Some sources recommend taking it early in the day to avoid potential disruptions to sleep schedules.
While you do not need a prescription to buy Forskolin in the UK, it is recommended to check with a doctor before taking this supplement to ensure it is appropriate for you.
Side Effects
There are no known significant adverse side effects recorded for forskolin or for whole coleus root. It is generally well tolerated but may cause mild negative reactions in some users.
Amazon reviewers in the UK have provided anecdotal reports of stomach discomfort when taking this herbal supplement. Some users report feeling dizzy, light-headed, or an elevated heart rate after taking a dosage.
This supplement should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing due to insufficient research available to assess safety in these populations. There is insufficient research available to determine whether it is safe for children.
When inhaled, forskolin has been associated with sore throat, mild to moderate coughing, respiratory tract irritation, tremors and restlessness. When used in eye drop form, there have been anecdotal reports of a milky film developing.
Forskolin was shown to elevate testosterone levels in the clinical obesity trial. It should not be used by men with high testosterone. It may interfere with the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers.
Coleus may interact with nitrate medicines such as nitroglycerin. It may increase the effects of anticoagulant medications and herbs. Experts warn that it may cause increased bleeding when taken less than two weeks before surgery.
Before purchasing this supplement, spend time reading user reviews to determine which is the best forskolin brand in the UK. There are several different products available for sale on Amazon with different dosages and recommended uses.
- Coleus Forskohlii - Natural Medicines Database
- http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2005.162/full
- https://examine.com/supplements/coleus-forskohlii/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WeightLoss-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/food-supplements-guidance-and-faqs
Article last updated on: July 16th, 2018 by Nootriment