Andrographis - Health Benefits and Side Effects

Botanical Name of Andrographis: Andrographis paniculata.

Other Common Names: Chuan xin liang, fah tolai, India echinacea, kalmegh, king of bitters, kiryat, sambiloto.

Habitat: Andrographis is native to southern India and Sri Lanka, and is found in China, Thailand, India, Pakistan and is also introduced and cultivated in the East and West Indies. It is found in a variety of habitats, such as plains, hillsides, coastlines. It is also found in disturbed and cultivated areas such as roadsides, farms, and wastelands.

Description: Andrographis is easily grown and considered an annual or biennial bush. It will grow in sun or partial shade to a height of 18-inches to over four-feet. An erect shrub, Andrographis is green with sparse lanceolate leaves up to five-inches long on green stems. The leaves are scentless. The shrub’s small flowers are tubular shaped, white in colour with pale violet streaks. Seeds are known to drop quickly if not harvested. The whole plant has a bitter taste due to the pungent diterpenoid lactones, hence the name “King of Bitters” in some places.

Plant Parts Used: Leaves and stems.

Andrographis Plant
(Andrographis paniculata)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:J.M.Garg

Therapeutic and Traditional Uses, Benefits and Claims of Andrographis

• Andrographis has a long historical record as an ancient medicinal herb, used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Medicinal Herb Andrographis
(Andrographis paniculata)
• Historically, andrographis has been widely used as a treatment for the common cold, flu, upper respiratory infections, and a variety of infectious diseases.
• It is a traditional herbal treatment for diseases and ailmens such as diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, pneumonia, swollen lymph nodes, leprosy, bronchitis, sore throats, tuberculosis, chicken pox, coughs, headaches, ear infection, inflammation, burns and mumps.
• Andrographis has been used as a treatment for malaria, as a replacement for quinine.
• This bitter shrub has shown immunity fighting capabilities by stimulating the body’s natural immune systems. Japanese researchers have reported that andrographis is effective in preventing the multiplication of cancer cells. Andrographolides in the plant are thought to enhance immune function such as production of white blood cells, to support the release of interferon, and to promote healthy activity of the lymphatic system.
• Some scientists believe that the herb may help in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
• Traditional herbalists use andrographis for many conditions for its anti-inflammatory action; it is used as an herbal treatment for pain associated with conditions such as muscular pain, arthritis, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis.
• Andrographis is believed to be effective in the treatment of liver and gall bladder conditions such as viral hepatitis, jaundice, drug induced liver damage, liver congestion, and sluggish liver.
• It has been found to be as effective as silymarin (active component in milk thistle) in protecting the liver.
• Clinical studies in China have shown that andrographis helps to prevent blood clot formation. There it has been used as an herbal treatment of atherosclerosis and heart attack. Some studies have shown that andrographis may be helpful in preventing the condition known as restenosis, or “reclogging” of arteries following angioplasty.
• Andrographis has anti-oxidant properties that may aid in sugar regulation in people with diabetes by reducing blood sugar concentration.

Dosage and Administration

An infusion may be made by placing one teaspoon dried andrographis leaf in a teapot or infuser and adding one cup of boiling water; steep for 5-10 minutes. This is most effective when sipped on an empty stomach. For fresh herb, use 10 to 12 grams of leaves. Up to six grams of dried herb per day may be used, but the bitter taste may challenge that amount for most users. To take the edge off some of the bitter taste, tea may be followed by fresh fruit or dried cranberries. A piece of licorice root may also be effectively used as a flavor additive.

Extracts of andrographis may be used in amounts of up to 400 mg twice a day for up to 10 days with standardized extracts of 5- to 6- percent andrographolide.

Potential Side Effects of Andrographis

As with all herbal remedies, andrographis should be used with caution. Few side effects have been reported, making it safe for many users; some cases of itchy skin have been noted. People with known gallbladder diseases should not use andrographis, nor should preparations containing licorice be used in people suffering from myasthenia gravis or those with high blood pressure, cardiac or kidney conditions. Bitter herbs may also exacerbate existing ulcers or contribute to heartburn. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or anticipating becoming pregnant should not use andrographis as it can act as an abortive.

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"They that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils."
Francis Bacon