Andrographis east meets west
23 May 2011

Andrographis: east meets west

1 mins to read
Andrographis is a centuries old Eastern herb now commonly used in Western herbal medicine, writes naturopath Kate Ferguson.


Andrographis, or andrographis paniculata, has a long history of use in many Eastern traditional medicine systems.

Countries where andrographis is commonly used include Korea, China, Thailand and India – where it is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.  Andrographis is also gaining popularity in western herbal medicine today.

What’s it for?

Used for centuries in India, andrographis is known as kalmegh in Hindi. In Ayruvedic medicine, andrographis is used for complaints affecting digestion and liver health. It is also used for relief from influenza symptoms.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where herbal medicines are viewed as being hot or cold, andrographis is considered a cold herb used to cool the body from hot conditions such as fever and acute infections.

In Western herbal medicine, andrographis is being used to help relieve upper respiratory infections such as sinusitis and the common cold. Symptoms of the common cold that may be relieved with andrographis include sore throat and fever.

Andrographis may also help to relieve bouts of acute diarrhoea.

How is it thought to work?

The main active constituent found in andrographis responsible for its therapeutic actions is called andrographolide. Andrographis is also called the “king of bitters” and it is the andrographolide that provides this herb with its bitter properties.

Andrographis is thought to be immunomodulating, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory which may be responsible for its benefits in helping to provide relief from cold symptoms and to help prevent the onset of the common cold.

When should you take it?

When taken at the first sign of cold symptoms, andrographis may help to prevent a cold from developing with full force. It can also be used as protection in the winter months, when the common cold is most prevalent.

References available on request



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