Coleus forskohlii belongs to Lamiaceae, the mint family, which also includes basil, sage, rosemary and lavender. Family members share square stems, opposite leaves and aromatic oils. Coleus is grown for its tuberous root, and Coleus Forskohlii is one of eight highlighted ingredients in Glyco Barrier drops.
A family of fragrant kitchen plants
Lamiaceae is one of the most useful plant families on Earth. Open any spice rack and you will find several members: basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage and, of course, mint. Lavender and catnip belong too.
Gardeners spot the family by touch. Rub a leaf between your fingers and a scent usually bursts out, thanks to oils held in tiny glands on the surface.
How to recognize a mint-family plant
Botanists use a few easy clues, and you can try them in a garden or at a farmers market.
- Square stems. Roll a stem between your fingers and you can feel four edges.
- Opposite leaves. Leaves grow in pairs, one on each side of the stem.
- Lipped flowers. Blooms often have an upper and lower petal shaped like lips.
- A distinct aroma. Crushed leaves smell sharp, sweet or earthy.
Coleus fits these clues nicely.
The ornamental cousin versus the root herb
Many people know coleus as a colorful houseplant with leaves splashed in burgundy, lime and pink. That garden favorite is a close relative, but the plant used for its root in supplements is Coleus forskohlii, which has plainer green leaves and a thick underground tuber.
If you are curious about the compound tied to that root, our guide to coleus forskohlii and forskolin explains the naming.
Where and how it grows
Coleus forskohlii is a perennial that thrives in warm, dry, well-drained conditions. It is cultivated in parts of India and Nepal, and it grows wild in other tropical and subtropical regions. It tends to prefer sandy or gravelly soil and plenty of sun.
Because the useful part sits underground, farmers harvest by digging up the roots once the plants have matured, then washing and drying them before further processing.
What the root looks like
The root is a cluster of fleshy, spindle-shaped tubers with a brownish skin and a paler interior. When dried, it turns firm and fibrous. Suppliers may slice it, mill it into a powder or run it through an extraction step that concentrates certain compounds.
That is why one label might say root powder while another says root extract. Our botanical glossary of herbal label terms unpacks those words.
Why the aroma matters in the family
The scent that makes mint-family plants so appealing comes from volatile oils, and those oils are why cooks have reached for the family for thousands of years. Think of pesto, rosemary potatoes, mint tea and sage butter. Coleus roots are less about fragrance and more about their natural plant compounds, but they share the same family habit of making interesting chemistry.
It is a good reminder that plants in one family can be wildly different in use. A leaf for the kitchen, a flower for a sachet and a root for a supplement can all trace back to the same lineage.
A long history in traditional practice
Coleus roots have a long history in Ayurvedic practice, and related coleus species have turned up in home kitchens in parts of South Asia and Africa. As with many plants, people learned the preparations by watching what worked in their own regions and passing it on.
We keep claims modest here. The honest summary is that coleus has been used traditionally, and today it is studied and sold as a botanical ingredient.
How coleus fits in Glyco Barrier
Glyco Barrier is a fast-absorbing liquid dietary supplement made to support healthy glucose metabolism and blood sugar balance as part of a daily routine. Coleus Forskohlii appears among its eight highlighted ingredients, alongside Chromium Picolinate, Gymnema Sylvestre, Ginseng Root, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Maca Root, Astragalus Root and Cayenne Pepper Fruit Extract.
You can explore each one on the ingredients page. The Supplement Facts panel on the bottle lists the formula in full, and the how to take Glyco Barrier page covers the simple morning and evening routine.
A simple takeaway
Next time you pass the herb aisle, remember that coleus is a cousin of the mint on your tea tray. Same family, very different part of the plant.
If you would like to try drops built around that root and seven other highlighted ingredients, you can Order Glyco Barrier. Shipping is free and a 60-day money-back guarantee comes with every order.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Coleus belongs to Lamiaceae, the mint family, which also includes basil, sage, thyme, rosemary and lavender. Look for square stems and paired leaves as clues.
They are close relatives but different plants. The supplement ingredient is Coleus forskohlii, grown for its tuberous root, while the colorful houseplant is grown for its decorative leaves.
The root. It is harvested, washed, dried and then milled into powder or processed into an extract for use in dietary supplements.
Yes, it is one of eight highlighted ingredients in the drops. You can check the full formula on the Supplement Facts panel printed on the bottle label.