Ingredient profile
Coleus Forskohlii in Olivaro: Forskolin and the Metabolism Ingredients
Coleus forskohlii is a root extract that supplies forskolin. It is ninth in Olivaro's blend, with no amount printed. Three small trials of 500 mg a day of a 10% forskolin extract found no effect on body weight (NIH ODS, Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss). Forskolin can lower blood pressure and may raise bleeding risk with blood thinners (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)). Capsicum, grapefruit, raspberry ketones and licorice round out the metabolism group.
Written by the Olivaro editorial teamUpdated
The plant
What is Coleus forskohlii?
Coleus forskohlii is a plant in the mint family, now often named Plectranthus barbatus. Its root is the source of forskolin, the compound most supplements are built around.
Forskolin is sold mainly for weight loss. Memorial Sloan Kettering notes that clinical studies showing it is safe and effective are lacking (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)).
Olivaro lists "Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract" ninth in its 22-item blend. The label does not state how much forskolin the extract holds. Many single-ingredient products print a percentage, often 10%, which is the strength used in weight studies.
Profile
Coleus forskohlii in Olivaro at a glance
The table sets label facts beside research. Olivaro itself has no published trial.
| Label name | Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Plectranthus barbatus root (forskolin) |
| Place in the label list | 9 of 22 in the blend (listed from most to least by weight) |
| Amount per dropper | Not disclosed. Part of the 200 mg proprietary blend. |
| Dose used in studies | 500 mg a day of 10% forskolin extract |
| Strength of evidence | No weight effect in small trials |
| Marketed or traditional use | Sold for weight loss |
| Watch for | Can lower blood pressure; bleeding risk with blood thinners. |
Research
Does forskolin help with weight loss?
The evidence says no. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements reviewed three small trials that gave 500 mg a day of a coleus extract standardized to 10% forskolin. None found an effect on body weight (NIH ODS, Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss).
That matters for Olivaro in two ways. First, the sales page positions the product partly for weight management. Second, even the studied dose did not work, and Olivaro cannot reach it.
- Studied amount: 500 mg a day of a 10% extract, about 50 mg of forskolin.
- Whole Olivaro blend: 200 mg per dropper, 400 mg at most per day, for 22 ingredients.
- Coleus sits ninth, behind eight heavier items, so its share is likely small.
Blood sugar was not the focus of these trials. We found no reliable human evidence that forskolin helps glucose or A1C.
Safety
Is forskolin safe? Blood pressure and blood thinners
Forskolin has real effects on blood vessels, and that is where its cautions come from. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists low blood pressure, slow heart rate and diarrhea as side effects (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)).
Can push pressure lower
Forskolin may add to the effect of blood pressure medicines (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)). If you take one, watch for dizziness when you stand up and tell your doctor.
Blood thinners
It may raise bleeding risk with warfarin and other blood thinners (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)). Mention it before any surgery or dental work.
The dose in a dropper is unknown and likely small. These cautions still apply, because the label gives no way to rule out a meaningful amount.
The metabolism group
What about capsicum, raspberry ketones, grapefruit and licorice?
Coleus belongs to a cluster of "metabolism" names in the middle of the blend. None has its own page, so the main facts are summarized below with sources.
| Ingredient (label order) | What research shows | Main caution |
|---|---|---|
| Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract (10th) | Capsaicin at 2-4 mg a day did not change weight much over 12 weeks (NIH ODS, Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss). Effects on appetite are small (MSKCC, Cayenne (Capsicum)). | Stomach irritation; more cough with ACE inhibitors; may affect other blood pressure drugs (MSKCC, Cayenne (Capsicum)) |
| Grapefruit Fruit Extract (11th) | No studied dose for metabolism found. | Grapefruit can raise blood levels of some statins, blood pressure, heart-rhythm and transplant drugs (FDA, Grapefruit juice and drugs) |
| Raspberry Ketones (13th) | Studied only in mixed products; no human evidence for raspberry ketone alone (OPSS (DoD), Raspberry Ketone) | Safety not established (OPSS (DoD), Raspberry Ketone) |
| Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate (18th) | A licorice compound used as a sweetener and flavor; no studied dose for metabolism found | Irregular heartbeat with large or long-term use; risky for people with high blood pressure even in small amounts (NCCIH, Licorice Root) |
Full details for every blend item, with anchors such as grapefruit and licorice, are on the Olivaro ingredients overview.
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Order nowDrug interactions
Why does grapefruit extract matter if you take medicine?
Grapefruit blocks CYP3A4, an enzyme in the gut. With some drugs, that lets the drug build up to higher levels than intended (FDA, Grapefruit juice and drugs). FDA names some statins, blood pressure drugs, transplant drugs, anti-anxiety drugs and heart-rhythm drugs.
FDA's warning is about grapefruit juice. Olivaro contains an extract in an unknown amount, likely small. Nobody can say from the label whether it is enough to matter.
If you take a statin, a blood pressure drug, a heart-rhythm drug or a transplant drug, show the Olivaro label to your pharmacist before the first dropper. Not every drug in these groups is affected, and a pharmacist can check yours in minutes (FDA, Grapefruit juice and drugs).
Blood pressure
Coleus, licorice, capsicum: why blood pressure comes up three times
Three items in this group touch blood pressure, and they pull in different directions. Forskolin can lower it (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)). Glycyrrhizin, the compound in licorice, is a concern for people who already have high blood pressure (NCCIH, Licorice Root). Capsicum may affect some blood pressure drugs (MSKCC, Cayenne (Capsicum)).
The doses here are unknown and probably small. Still, the mix makes one habit sensible: if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, check your readings for the first few weeks and share them with your doctor.
Never change a diabetes medicine without talking to your doctor first. Many people with blood sugar concerns also take blood pressure pills, and the guide to supplements and diabetes medicine explains how to bring a supplement up at a visit.
Bottom line
Do the metabolism ingredients make Olivaro work for weight?
Forskolin showed no weight effect at 500 mg a day. Capsaicin did not change weight much in 12 weeks. Raspberry ketone has no human evidence alone. Grapefruit and licorice add interaction questions. In Olivaro, all five sit in an undisclosed slice of a 200 mg blend.
Proven weight steps are less exciting but better studied. Losing about 7% of body weight and moving 150 minutes a week cut type 2 diabetes risk by 58% in the Diabetes Prevention Program (NIDDK, Diabetes Prevention Program).
All 23
Which other Olivaro ingredients have their own page?
The other weight-marketed ingredient with a full page is African mango. The eight amino acids at the end of the label share one page.
FAQ
Coleus forskohlii FAQ
Does forskolin work for weight loss?
The evidence says no. Three small trials of 500 mg a day of a 10% forskolin extract found no effect on body weight, according to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH ODS, Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss). Olivaro's amount of coleus is not printed and sits within a 200 mg blend of 22 ingredients.
Can forskolin lower blood pressure?
Yes. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists low blood pressure and slow heart rate as forskolin side effects and says it may add to blood pressure medicines (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)). If you take one, check your readings after starting Olivaro and tell your doctor about any dizziness.
Is forskolin safe with blood thinners?
Use caution. Forskolin may increase bleeding risk with warfarin and other blood thinners (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)). Olivaro's coleus dose is unknown, so tell the doctor who manages your blood thinner before you start, and mention the supplement before any surgery or dental work.
Does Olivaro contain grapefruit?
Yes. Grapefruit Fruit Extract is eleventh in the blend, amount not printed. Grapefruit can raise blood levels of some statins, blood pressure, heart-rhythm and transplant drugs (FDA, Grapefruit juice and drugs). Ask a pharmacist to check your prescriptions against the label before taking it.
Do raspberry ketones help burn fat?
There is no human evidence that raspberry ketone alone helps. Studies in people used multi-ingredient products, and its safety is not established, according to the Department of Defense's Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS (DoD), Raspberry Ketone). Olivaro lists it thirteenth, with no amount printed.
Is the licorice in Olivaro a problem for high blood pressure?
It could be worth asking about. Glycyrrhizin, the licorice compound, can cause irregular heartbeat with large or long-term use, and people with high blood pressure may be at risk even from small amounts (NCCIH, Licorice Root). Olivaro's amount is not printed, so share the label with your doctor.
Does capsicum boost metabolism?
Not by much. Capsaicin at 2-4 mg a day did not significantly change weight over 12 weeks (NIH ODS, Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss), and its effects on appetite are small (MSKCC, Cayenne (Capsicum)). It can irritate the stomach and may increase cough with ACE-inhibitor blood pressure drugs.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Plain-language pages built from the label, the sales page and linked public health sources.
Page updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. stocking partner, not by the manufacturer. Purchases through our order links earn us money.
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