Andrographis

October 3, 2020

Overview

Andrographis is a plant that is native to South Asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka. The leaf and underground stem are used to make medicine.

Andrographis is used for the common cold, osteoarthritis, infection of the throat and tonsils (tonsillopharyngitis), a type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Plant

Primary Functions:

Common cold, osteoarthritis

Also Known As:

Andrographis paniculata, Andrographolide, Bhunimba

How Does It Work?

Andrographis might work by stimulating the immune system. It might also prevent influenza viruses from binding to cells in the body.

Uses

Common cold. Taking andrographis alone or as part of an herbal combination product seems to improve cough and sore throat in some people with the common cold. Some research also shows that taking a combination product (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) containing andrographis and eleuthero improves symptoms of the common cold when started within 72 hours of feeling sick. Some symptoms can improve after 2 days of treatment, but it usually takes 4-5 days of treatment before most symptoms go away. Some research shows that this combination product relieves cold symptoms in children better than echinacea. Also, early research shows that taking an andrographis extract (KalmCold) alone might help treat colds. Other research shows that taking andrographis alone for 2 months might help prevent colds.
Osteoarthritis. Some research shows that taking andrographis extract daily seems to reduce pain and stiffness in people with mild or moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.
Infection of the throat and tonsils (tonsillopharyngitis). Some research shows that andrographis 6 grams daily works about as well as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce fever and pain from tonsillitis.
A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). Early research shows that taking andrographis extract daily for 8 weeks reduces symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease about as well as the drug mesalamine.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

For common cold: A specific combination product (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) containing andrographis extract, standardized to contain 4-5.6 mg andrographolide, and 400 mg eleuthero has been taken three times daily. A specific andrographis extract (KalmCold) 200 mg daily has been used for 5 days.
For osteoarthritis: Andrographis extract 300 or 600 mg daily for 12 weeks.
For infection of the throat and tonsils (tonsillopharyngitis): Andrographis 3-6 grams daily.
For a type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis): Andrographis extract 1200-1800 mg daily for 8 weeks.

Andrographis Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is Andrographis used for?

Andrographis paniculata Wall (family Acanthaceae) is one of the most popular medicinal plants used traditionally for the treatment of array of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcer, leprosy, bronchitis, skin diseases, flatulence, colic, influenza, dysentery, dyspepsia and malaria for centuries .

Does Andrographis really work?

Some research shows that this combination product relieves cold symptoms in children better than echinacea. Also, early research shows that taking an andrographis extract (KalmCold) alone might help treat colds. Other research shows that taking andrographis alone for 2 months might help prevent colds.

How do you take Andrographis?

For treating the common cold: a combination of a specific andrographis extract, standardized to contain 4-5.6 mg andrographolide, plus 400 mg Siberian ginseng (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) three times daily. For relieving fever and sore throat in tonsillitis: 3-6 grams daily.

Can you take Andrographis daily?

Dosage and Preparation

There is no single recommended dose of Andrographis. Various doses have been studied in research. ... For the relief of sore throat, a dose of 3-6 grams Andrographis was used daily. And for ulcerative colitis Andrographis extract, 1200-1800 mg was used daily for eight weeks.

Is Andrographis a blood thinner?

Andrographis has been used in combination with other herbs for up to one month. ... Bleeding conditions: Andrographis might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in people with bleeding disorders. Low blood pressure: Research suggests that andrographis might lower blood pressure.

Is Andrographis antiviral?

Also known as "Indian echinacea," andrographis is a bitter-tasting herb rich in compounds known as andrographolides. These compounds are thought to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.

How long can I take Andrographis?

Andrographis is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately, short-term. It also appears to be safe when taken as a specific combination product containing andrographis extract and Siberian ginseng (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) for up to 3 months

What are the side effects of Andrographis?

Andrographis can cause side effects such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, headache, runny nose, and fatigue. When used in high doses, andrographis might cause swollen lymph glands, serious allergic reactions, elevations of liver enzymes, and other side effects.

How much Andrographis should I take?

There is no single recommended dose of Andrographis. Various doses have been studied in research. For example, in studies examining the effect of the herb on the common cold, a combination product (4-5.6 mg andrographolide, and 400 mg Siberian ginseng) was taken three times daily.

Does Andrographis kill Candida?

Andrographis: “The King of Bitters” is a perfect herb for Candida as it has strong antifungal properties, protects the liver, while also being great for boosting the immune system. This herb is used in the Sanctuary Candida and Parasite Detox designed by me, or is also available online here.

Does Andrographis lower blood pressure?

Low blood pressure: Research suggests that andrographis might lower blood pressure. This has not been seen in humans. In theory, however, andrographis might lower pressure too much if taken by people who already have low blood pressure.

What are the health benefits of Andrographis?

Andrographis is most widely used to treat cold and flu symptoms. Andrographis is also said to act as a natural immune-booster. The herb is also used to treat certain other conditions.
...
These include:

Cancer1
Rheumatoid Arthritis2
Anorexia3
Heart disease.
HIV/AIDS.
Liver problems.

Is Andrographis an adaptogen?

Critical analysis of available preclinical and clinical information on Andrographis paniculata extracts and pure andrographolide strongly suggest that they are pharmacologically polyvalent and that they possess adaptogenic properties.

What is the common name of Andrographis paniculata?

Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as creat or green chireta, is an annual herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to India and Sri Lanka.

What is the herb Andrographis?

Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) is an herb long used in traditional Chinese medicine and ayurveda. Also known as "Indian echinacea," andrographis is a bitter-tasting herb rich in compounds known as andrographolides. These compounds are thought to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.

Is Andrographis good for cold and flu?

Take andrographis at the first sign of a cold or flu to help fight symptoms including runny nose, coughs, sore throat, headache, earache, fever & fatigue. For immune support, andrographis can be taken at a lower dose before any signs of cold or flu symptoms.

Does Andrographis kill parasites?

In addition to being an anti-spirochetal herb, andrographis also has anti-parasitic properties, enhances immune function, protects the heart, is anti-inflammatory and crosses the blood brain barrier, which enables it to access pathogens in the brain.

Clinical Studies

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^ a b c Gabrielian ES, et al. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis. Phytomedicine. (2002)
^ a b Mkrtchyan A, et al. A phase I clinical study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang versus ginseng and valerian on the semen quality of healthy male subjects. Phytomedicine. (2005)
^ a b Spasov AA, et al. Comparative controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination, Kan Jang and an Echinacea preparation as adjuvant, in the treatment of uncomplicated respiratory disease in children. Phytother Res. (2004)
^ a b Amaryan G, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, pilot clinical trial of ImmunoGuard--a standardized fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata Nees, with Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim, Schizandra chinensis Bail. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extracts in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever. Phytomedicine. (2003)
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^ a b c d e f Saxena RC, et al. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis paniculata (KalmCold) in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. Phytomedicine. (2010)
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^QUANTITATIVE HPLC ANALYSIS OF ANDROGRAPHOLIDE IN ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA AT TWO DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE CYCLE OF PLANT.
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^ a b c Anti-inflammatory Activity of New Compounds from Andrographis paniculata by NF-κB Transactivation Inhibition.
^Flavonoids of andrographis paniculata.
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^[Studies on the structure of the adduct of andrographolide with sodium hydrogen sulfite (author's transl).
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