Often called "Indian echinacea," andrographis is a plant that practitioners of herbal medicine use primarily for treating colds. But andrographis can offer you many other important health benefits as well. Andrographis contains diterpene lactones called andrographolides, which are the bitter constituents of the herb that are responsible for its many beneficial properties.
Please consult your physician before attempting herbal remedies at home.
Antioxidant
Andrographis has antioxidant properties that help to protect your body's cells from oxidation damage due to free radicals, Drug Digest says. Free radicals can cause cell death and harm your immune system. Andrographis's antioxidant properties are closely related to its other important actions, particularly its immune system stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties.
Anti-Inflammatory
Andrographis contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help to relieve your symptoms if you have a respiratory ailment such as the common cold or flu, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A double-blind study of 158 people with the common cold found that over the course of four days andrographis helped to relieve sore throat, earache and nasal congestion symptoms, compared to placebo, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The study participants took a daily dosage of 1,200 mg of andrographis extract containing 5 percent andrographolides. Andrographis has the same actions as many anti-inflammatory medications, Drug Digest explains.
Antiviral & Immune-Stimulating
Andrographis can stimulate your immune system, potentially preventing or eradicating colds, flu and infections. When combined with andrographis's immunity-stimulating effects, its antiviral properties can effectively fight certain viruses and infections. This is why the herb's primary medicinal use is for treating common viral infections, Drug Digest notes. Numerous scientific studies have investigated andrographis's effects on preventing and treating colds and flu. A 2004 review of seven double-blind clinical trials involving 896 people found that andrographis extract was substantially more effective in treating acute respiratory infection symptoms than placebo, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Andrographis's antiviral and immunity-stimulating properties may also help to treat HIV infection. An uncontrolled preliminary study found that andrographolide helped to kill HIV by boosting CD4 lymphocyte counts and reducing viral load in people with the virus, says the University of Michigan Health System. The herb's effects on the immune system have also been studied in the laboratory for treating herpes simplex virus, influenza, dysentery and malaria.
Antihypertensive
If you have high blood pressure, or "hypertension," or heart disease, andrographis may offer antihypertensive and anticoagulation properties. Andrographis can reduce high blood pressure and heart rate by inhibiting the body's production of enzymes that raise blood pressure and by relaxing blood vessel muscles, Drug Digest explains. Andrographis's anticoagulant properties also help to prevent blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots, which can lead to stroke or heart attack in people with heart disease.
Liver-Protective & Bile-Stimulating
Andrographis may offer liver-protective properties that may prevent toxin-related injury, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Andrographis may help to prevent the natural increase in enzymes in the liver when organ damage occurs, helping to protect the liver from injury caused by disease and toxins such as chemicals, drugs and alcohol, Drug Digest says. Andrographis may also prevent the liver cells from dying after exposure to toxins and promote enzyme production to regenerate liver tissue. The herb also seems to stimulate the gallbladder to contract, stimulating bile flow.
Member Comments