[Fucoxanthin] Coleus forskohlii
Coleus forskohlii is part of the mint family of plants and has long been used in India, Thailand and parts of SE Asia as a spice as well as an ingredient in various medicine concoctions for the treatment of heart ailments and stomach cramps. The roots of the plant are a natural source of a compound that can increase cellular levels of metabolism. As recorded in ancient Sanskrit texts, coleus has been used as a medical herb to treat heart and lung diseases, intestinal spasms, insomnia, and convulsions. Stimulation that is caused by forskolin supposedly leads to blood vessel dilation, inhibition of allergic reactions, and possibly an increased secretion of thyroid hormone. Forskolin has other reported uses as well, including inhibition of the spread of cancer cells. It has been reported that forskolin may also assist in dilating blood vessels and improving the forcefulness with which the heart pumps blood. One study did find evidence that inhaling forskolin could decrease lung spasms for people with asthma.