Andrographis

Andrographis paniculata

AcanthaceaeIndian subcontinent and Southeast Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, China); naturalized in parts of Central America and Africa

Description

overall appearance

Erect, annual or short-lived perennial herb 40–110 cm tall; highly branched with quadrangular stems; intensely bitter taste in all parts — the most bitter herb in Ayurvedic pharmacopeia. Called 'King of Bitters' and 'Kalmegh' in India.

roots

Fibrous, yellowish taproot; bitter throughout; contains andrographolide in small concentrations

stem

Quadrangular (four-angled), glabrous, dark green; internodes 2–8 cm; branching opposite; becomes woody at base with age

leaves

Simple, opposite, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate; 2–12 cm long and 1–4 cm wide; entire to slightly serrate margins; glabrous; dark green above, pale below; petiole very short (2–5 mm)

flowers

Small white, 2-lipped tubular flowers 8–12 mm; pale purple veins on lower lip; arranged in terminal and axillary panicles; corolla tube 3–4 mm; 2 stamens

fruits/seeds

Linear capsule 1.5–2.5 cm long and 3–4 mm wide; pubescent; splitting to release 12+ small, yellow-brown, hard, oblong seeds 1–2 mm

Active Compounds

Diterpenoid lactones: andrographolide (primary bioactive, 1–3% by dry weight), 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (DDAG), neoandrographolideAndrographolide derivatives: andrographiside, andropaniculosideFlavonoids: 5-hydroxy-7,8,2′,3′-tetramethoxyflavone, andrographin, panicolin, mono-O-methylwightinEnt-labdane diterpenoids: isoandrographolide, 14-deoxyandrographolideXanthones: andrographinPolyphenols: 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acidEssential oils: sesquiterpenes, β-gurjunenePhytosterols: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol

Traditional Uses

Ayurveda: Kalmegh — liver tonic, bitter digestive, antimalarial, and anti-infective; used in Kalmegh asava and other classical formulas
TCM: Chuan Xin Lian — clears heat and toxins; used for upper respiratory infections, sore throat, and dysentery
Thai traditional medicine: Fah Talai Jon — treatment of fever, cold, flu, and infections; widely sold as OTC herbal supplement in Thailand
Indian folk medicine: treatment of snakebite and insect bites; internal and topical application
Ayurvedic treatment for malaria, dengue fever, and typhoid
Traditional hepatoprotective and anti-jaundice herb in South and Southeast Asian medicine
Sri Lankan traditional medicine for eczema, skin infections, and psoriasis
Scandinavian herbal medicine (modern adoption): Kan Jang formula — evidence-based use for cold and flu

Modern Applications

Respiratory infections: multiple RCTs (Kan Jang, proprietary andrographis-eleutherococcus combination): significantly reduces duration and severity of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections; Cochrane review (2004) supports use
Influenza: RCT showing andrographolide significantly reduces fever, sore throat, and fatigue scores vs. paracetamol
Anti-inflammatory: andrographolide inhibits NF-κB p65 translocation, COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α at nanomolar concentrations
Antiviral: andrographolide inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro; also active against HIV-1, influenza, dengue, EBV
Hepatoprotection: andrographolide and neoandrographolide protect against paracetamol, ethanol, and CCl4-induced liver damage; multiple animal studies
Anticancer: DDAG and andrographolide induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines via Bcl-2 inhibition, cell cycle arrest; anti-angiogenic activity
Immunomodulation: stimulates antibody production, macrophage phagocytosis, and NK cell activity in vitro
Antidiabetic: andrographolide reduces blood glucose via AMPK activation and PPAR-γ upregulation in fat and liver cells

⚠️ Safety Information

Contraindications

Pregnancy: antifertility effects demonstrated in animal studies; andrographolide inhibits implantation in rats; strictly contraindicated
Autoimmune conditions: immunostimulant activity may exacerbate autoimmune disease
Hypersensitivity: anaphylactic reactions reported with parenteral administration; caution with oral administration in atopic individuals
Surgery: discontinue 2 weeks pre-operatively; antiplatelet and anticoagulant activity

Side Effects

Significant nausea, vomiting, and anorexia — the intense bitterness is dose-limiting for many patients
Headache and fatigue at high doses (>2 g/day andrographolide equivalent)
Anaphylaxis/severe allergic reactions (rare) — primarily with injectable forms
Elevated liver enzymes with prolonged high-dose use (rare)

Drug Interactions

Anticoagulants/antiplatelets (warfarin, heparin, aspirin): andrographolide inhibits platelet aggregation and thromboxane B2 production; significant bleeding risk
Antihypertensives: additive hypotensive effect; andrographolide dilates vascular smooth muscle
Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus): immunostimulant activity directly antagonizes
Antidiabetics: additive hypoglycemic risk; monitor blood glucose