Andrographis paniculata is a plant that's native to parts of Asia and is commonly used as a medicinal herb for its flowers and leaves. If you have a common cold or flu, immune system suppression, HIV, gastrointestinal problems, viral hepatitis, malaria, dysentery or certain infections, you can take andrographis to help ease your symptoms. Always consult your physician before taking andrographis or any other herbal remedy, because they can cause certain side effects and potentially interact with some medications.
Treating & Preventing Colds
Taking andrographis may help to reduce the severity of your symptoms from the common cold. Several double-blind studies have revealed that andrographis can ease cold symptoms, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Some double-blind clinical trials have also found that combining andrographis with Siberian ginseng may lessen cold symptoms. Andrographis extract has shown antiviral activities, the Mayo Clinic notes. A 2004 review of seven double-blind clinical trials involving nearly 900 participants found that andrographis extract was indeed more effective than placebo in treating the symptoms associated with acute respiratory infections, including the common cold and flu, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Another study found that a particular andrographis concoction taken at a dosage of 6 grams daily for one week was equally effective as acetaminophen in reducing fever and sore throat. Further, andrographis may also actually act to prevent the common cold. The University of Pittsburgh cites a double-blind study of 107 young adults that found taking 100 mg of andrographis daily increased the participants' resistance to catching colds. After three months, only 16 andrographis users contracted colds, compared with 33 from the placebo group.
Supporting the Immune System
Andrographis paniculata is an effective herbal remedy for boosting your immune system. Some preliminary scientific evidence indicates that andrographis may stimulate the immune response and support the immune system, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Andrographis contains constituents called andrographolides, which are responsible for this immune system stimulation, explains the University of Michigan Health System.
Treating Infections
Andrographis's immunity-boosting constituents may also help to fight certain infections. In addition to its antiviral effects, andrographis may have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory activities, the Mayo Clinic says. One uncontrolled study found that andrographolide, the important constituent of andrographis, boosted CD4 lymphocyte counts and reduced the viral load in people with HIV infections, says the University of Michigan Health System. Other evidence indicates that andrographis can help to support antibiotic medications to treat dysentery and may help to treat chronic viral hepatitis. Andrographis extract taken orally can also treat snake bites by neutralizing the venom, the Mayo Clinic notes.
Treating Gastrointestinal Ailments
The andrographolides contained in andrographis may also help to treat certain gastrointestinal problems by stimulating the secretion of bile, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Andrographis has been used in traditional herbal medicine throughout China and India to treat digestive problems, and you may find the herb helpful in easing indigestion. Andrographis may act to stimulate gallbladder contractions, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. This and other actions may help to protect the liver from harmful toxins, according to preliminary medical studies.
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