MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Importance and chemical composition

Coleus forskohlii Syn. Coleus barbatus, Plectranthus forskohlii, belonging to the family Lamiaceae is a well known plant through out the country and one of the most significant medicinal crops for its tuberous roots. The dried roots are found to be a rich source of forskolin and are used for treating hypertension, glaucoma, asthma, congestive heart failures and certain types of cancer. The tuberous roots, resembling a carrot in shape and brown in colour, are the commercial parts. The plant is known as ‘Pashanbhedi’ in Sanskrit and ‘Patharchur’ in Hindi. Recent discoveries have indicated that the forskolin is useful against cholesterol and also used in cosmetics.

The species came into commercial cultivation after the discovery of forskolin, a unique adenylate cyclase activating drug which is highly useful in activating the cardio vascular system. The dry roots contain forskolin with content ranging from 0.10 to 0.80 per cent. One of the Indian medicinal plants which were very little known until a few years ago has now been raised as a single medicinal crop of international importance.