Wendy's Healing Compendium 69.42: This Damn Root Does Shit

Forskolin root, scientifically known as Coleus forskohlii, is one badass little herb that's been flying under the radar while pharmaceutical companies rake in the cash. This ancient Ayurvedic powerhouse has been used for centuries by people who were smart enough to recognize its benefits long before modern medicine got its head out of its ass. The root contains forskolin, a compound that activates an enzyme called adenylate cyclase, which increases cellular levels of cyclic AMP – fancy science talk for "this shit makes your cells work better." Forskolin has exploded in popularity recently because it can do everything from helping you lose weight to improving your damn asthma, and people are finally waking up to what traditional healers have known forever. Unlike those sketchy supplements that promise everything and deliver nothing, forskolin actually has some legitimate research backing up the crazy claims you hear about it.

Description

Forskolin comes from a perennial herb in the mint family that looks like a regular-ass plant you might walk past without noticing. The plant grows about 1-2 feet tall with bright green leaves and pretty blue-violet flowers that wouldn't look out of place in your grandma's garden. What matters most is the tuberous root, which contains the highest concentration of the active compound that makes this herb worth a damn. The plant is native to the warm subtropical regions of India, Nepal, and Thailand, where it thrives in the kind of heat that makes you sweat your balls off. When harvested, the roots look like knobby little potatoes – unimpressive as hell until you understand the medicinal punch they pack.

Cultivation Section

Growing Coleus forskohlii is a pain in the ass unless you live somewhere with tropical or subtropical conditions and well-draining soil. The plant thrives in warm temperatures between 55°F and 80°F and will straight-up die if exposed to frost, so don't even think about growing this outdoors in colder climates. You'll need to plant this bitch in full to partial sun, making sure the soil drains well because root rot will kill it faster than you can say "waste of money." Propagation is usually done from cuttings or by dividing the rootstock, since growing from seeds is slow as fuck and not worth the effort. The roots are typically harvested after one year when the forskolin content is at its highest, and you'll know it's ready when the leaves start to yellow and the plant begins to chill out for the season.

Medicinal Uses

Weight Management

Research suggests forskolin might help your fat ass lose weight by increasing the breakdown of stored fat and preventing the formation of new fat. Several studies show that it can increase lean body mass and decrease fat mass without changing your diet, which sounds too damn good to be true but might actually have some merit.

Asthma Relief

Forskolin can open up your airways better than that inhaler you forgot at home, making it effective for asthma sufferers who need to breathe without feeling like they're sucking air through a coffee stirrer. Traditional Ayurvedic practitioners have been using this root for respiratory conditions for centuries, and modern research confirms it can reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks by relaxing bronchial muscles.

Blood Pressure Regulation

This powerful root can lower your blood pressure by relaxing the muscles surrounding blood vessels, allowing those bad boys to dilate and improve circulation throughout your body. The vasodilating effects happen quickly and can be a lifesaver for people whose blood pressure shoots through the roof at the slightest provocation.

Glaucoma Treatment

Forskolin reduces intraocular pressure like nobody's business, making it useful for treating or preventing glaucoma before you go blind as a bat. Studies show that eye drops containing forskolin can significantly reduce pressure within the eye with fewer side effects than many prescription medications used for the same damn purpose.

Heart Health

Forskolin improves heart function by increasing the contractility of heart muscles, basically making your ticker work more efficiently without wearing itself out. It also helps prevent blood platelets from sticking together, reducing your chance of developing those nasty blood clots that can stop your heart or brain faster than you can call 911.

How to Use