In vitro, this essential oil was found to effectively inhibit the growth of skin pathogens including: 1) Propionbacterium acnes - a microorganism associated with acne and other skin infections, 2) Staphylococcus aureus - a bacterial strain found in infected wounds and skin eruptions including acne, 3) Staphylococcus epidermidis - a bacterial strain occurring in a variety of opportunistic bacterial skin infections and in acne, and 4) Streptococcus mutans - a bacterial strain associated with the progression of dental caries.

Coleus forskohlii is a member of the mint and lavender family (Lamiaceae) that has seen centuries of use in Ayurvedic Medicine. Synonyms include C. barbatus Benth., Plectranthus forskohlii Willd., P. barbatus Andr. and P. comosus Willemse. This species is a perennial herb with fleshy, fibrous roots that grows wild in the warm sub-tropical temperate areas of India, Burma and Thailand. In India, the plant is even cultivated for use as a condiment. The essential oil is obtained from the fresh root material by hydrodistillation. One of its many components, sesquiphellandrene, provides a pleasant, woody aroma and is valued for its diverse biological benefits including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Each bottle (1 oz / 30 mL)  is enough for about 64 oz of cream, lotion, or serum at approximately 1.5% concentration, so we recommend using 0.06 oz / 1.8 mL in 4 oz of cream. Use in your favorite cream or add to our Canvas Base Cream, European Cream, or our Sea Kelp Ultramarine. Coleus Forskholii Essential Oil can be combined with our other actives.

Note: Do not use directly on skin.

Coleus forskohlii in Pharmacognosy: Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Lavoisier Publishing Company, 2nd edition, 1119 pp

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