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ANDROGRAPHIS Product No. P01159


Also known as Andrographis Paniculta, Indian Echinacea and Kalmegh.
Andrographis is a member of the Acanthaceae family, and is a native shrub from the Indian subcontinent, where its common name is Kalmegh. It has been used for centuries in Asia to treat GI tract and upper respiratory infections, fevers and chronic and infectious diseases. Andrographis is also commonly used in the practice of Ayurveda (the traditional medicine system of India dating back more than 4,000 years; translated, it means knowledge, or science ‘ayur’ of life ‘veda’), primarily for sluggish liver and to protect the liver against toxins. More recent studies suggest that it may also be of benefit in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

The major active components of Andrographis are a group of diterpenoid lactones called andrographolides. The major lactone is andrographolide which is very bitter (the common name for Andrographis in English is Chiretta, which means ‘the King of bitters’). While the andrographolides have no antibacterial activity, andrographolide has been shown to inhibit aggregation of blood platelets, which helps to explain its anti-inflammatory effect on colds and other inflammatory conditions.

The major application in Western herbal medicine stems from its effects on immune function, and a number of studies have shown it benefits upper-respiratory tract infections, particularly the common cold - it has been used in Sweden for the treatment of colds for almost two decades. The herb is also credited with stopping the spread of influenza in India during the 1919 epidemic, and was used to treat many epidemics throughout history. However, it is now thought that the action of Andrographis is due to its effect on the immune response (mediated via the adrenal glands) rather than specific antimicrobial activity. Studies have suggested that Andrographis may be useful in preventing heart disease and help protect the liver from toxic injury. It is also used to treat a wide range of parasites and microbial infections.

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