The fact that Glaucoma can cause blindness requires that all the possible options to combat it should be explored. One option that offers promise is the use of components from herbs since many of them have been used by humans for centuries. Combining their known properties from previous years and current research will reveal whether a particular plant can be useful for glaucoma.
Before looking at the properties of coleus forskohlii (forskolin), it is best to understand what kind of condition glaucoma is. Glaucoma results from fluids build up in the front part of the eye which causes pressure on the optic nerve and eventually might lead to blindness. The first type of glaucoma, open angle glaucoma, is not a significant threat since the build-up of the eye fluids takes place at a slower speed. However, angle-closure glaucoma leads to eye pains, nausea, blurriness and headaches since the iris comes too close to the drainage angle. This second form of glaucoma can cause blindness if not treated immediately.
The two forms of glaucoma are related to low thyroid function. The situation implies that the body’s metabolism is not steady enough to ensure an efficient circulation of fluid in the various organs of the body. The effect is especially severe on the eyes due to its delicate features. Coleus forskohlii is an excellent tool for increasing the metabolism of an individual since it has been used for many centuries to enhance the vitality of the body. This component of the herb ensures that the body is in a position to offset the build-up of fluid in the eye thus offset glaucoma and reduce its effects in people who have already developed it.
Recent research reveals that coleus forskohlii affects the fluid flow and intraocular pressure (IOP) in human beings. When it comes to the aqueous stream, the herb reduces the production of fluids which could help decrease fluid build-up in the front part of the eye. Several studies have pointed out that the herb can reduce the IOP by 1.1-3.7mmHg after an hour of application. Therefore, coleus forskohlii is essential since it could be used to reduce the effects of the disease in its early stages as well as reduce the pain involved in the later stages by lowering the IOP.
Other studies also indicate that the herb combines well with other components such as Rutin to reduce the IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma. In one of the studies, a drug called Kronek which contains 5 mg coleus forskohlii, 200mg Rutin, 0.7mg of Vitamin B1 and 0.8 mg of Vitamin B2 indicated that the patients’ IOP dropped by 20 % after 40 days of using the drug. In a study with patients with angle-closure glaucoma, it turned out that the patients’ IOP reduced by 10% after three weeks of using coleus forskohlii and rutin supplements.
Last Updated on July 27, 2021
