Foskolin is a well-known active ingredient found in its roots, which is responsible for making the herb a wonder drug. The therapeutic effects of this alkaloid ‘forskolin’ are well-documented as being a hypotensive, antispasmodic, positive inotropic, vasodilator, smooth muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, with anti-platelet aggregation, a bronchodilator, anti-glaucoma agent, anti-metastatic, and the benefits goes on.

The primary mode of action of forskolin is by increasing the cellular concentrations of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cAMP-mediated functions, via activation of the enzyme adenylate cyclase.

Consuming forskolin can cause cellular changes, which leads to blood vessel dilation. Eye drops containing forskolin could help protect your eyesight against glaucoma, a disease caused by high inner eye pressure. A 2013 study from Italy reported that a supplement containing forskolin and the flavonoid called rutin reduced inner eye pressure by 10% in people with glaucoma after 30 days. Higher doses even corresponded to greater decrease in eye pressure.

Forskolin works in a similar way in certain asthma drugs by boosting the level of a compound known as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). This relaxes the air passages and reduces the risk of respiratory spasms, such as asthma. As per ayurveda, It is stated to have Agnidipana, Pachana, Pandu, Pliha, Shothhara, and other such properties.