Andrographis Paniculata Conventional Uses

Andrographis paniculata is one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs in traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda, and also in Chinese herbalism. The plant is an annual in India and grows to between 1 and 3 feet tall. This versatile herb has been used to treat a wide variety of health conditions, some of which have been substantiated by scientific research. Check with your doctor before using Andrographis paniculata to treat a medical condition.

Skin Conditions

Andrographis paniculata is recognized for its purported blood-purifying properties and has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat conditions believed to be related to impurities in the blood, such as boils, scabies and chronic fevers, according to Shahid Akbar, M.D., Ph.D, writing for the 2011 issue of the journal "Alternative Medical Review." Andrographis has also been used to treat upper-respiratory infections. Chinese medicine uses Andrographis to treat laryngitis, dysentery and coughs. Anti-clotting effects of the herb indicate that it may have a place in management of cardiovascular disease.

Antiviral

Andrographolide and two related compounds showed antiviral properties against herpes virus in a study conducted by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. All three were less than 50 percent effective at preventing infection with the virus. However, one of the compounds totally inhibited the virus after infection was established and another was moderately effective at inhibiting the virus post-infection. The compound that exerted complete inhibition of the virus stopped the virus in its early phases of replication. The study was published in the May 2011 issue of the journal "Medicinal Chemistry."

Antibacterial

Researchers at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Khon Kaen University, Thailand reported on antibacterial properties of Andrographis paniculata in a laboratory study published in the January 2011 issue of the journal "Archives of Pharmaceutical Research." Andrographolide and its derivitive molecules were tested against several bacteria and Candida albicans, the organism responsible for many yeast infections. The bacteria Bacillus subtilis -- a soil-dwelling bacteria that can contaminate food -- was most effectively inhibited. Researchers noted that their experiment was the first to document antibacterial properties of Andrographis paniculata.

Asthma Treatment

Andrographis paniculata may be useful for treatment of asthma, according to a study conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore. In the tissue culture and laboratory animal study, a derivative of andrographolide decreased levels of eosinophils -- a type of white blood cell that is triggered in asthma -- and antibodies. Andrographolide is an active constituent of Andrographis. Mucus production, histamine levels, proinflammatory molecules and airway irritation were all reduced. The derivative compound was safer than andrographolide, itself, which is known to have toxic effects. The study appeared in the May 2011 issue of the "Journal of Natural Products."