Andrographis Andrographis paniculata


  • Common Names
  • Andrographis , Creat, chuan xin lian, Kan jang, Kalmegha
  • Botanical Name
  • Andrographis paniculata
  • Family
  • Acanthaceae

Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Andrographis

Side Effects | Plant & Garden|

How to Use: Andrographis



Andrographis is a promising
immunostimulant Ayurvedic herb

Andrographis paniculata is an herb native to the Indian subcontinent and is used in Ayurveda,the ancient (before 2500 b.c.) Indian system of health care and longevity. Both the fresh and dried andrographis leaves, as well as the fresh juice of the whole andrographis plant, have been widely used in traditional remedies and folkloric medicines for liver disorders, bowel complaints of children, colic pain, cases of general debility, and convalescence after fevers. It is also used as a stomachic, anthelmintic, antiperistaltic, and antispasmodic. 1277

The plant has many promising medicinal properties, significant antimicrobial activity and shows promise as an herb that can lessen the severity and frequency of colds. Herbs such as andrographis that help in strengthening the immune system can be important tools to reduce the over-prescription of antibiotics.

Preparation Methods & Dosage :


Ayurvedic Medicine ayurvedic medicinea A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root, i.e., Siberian ginseng) was more effective than an echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptoms.1277

Andrographis Side Effects:

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Plant Description


  • Flowers:Small, white, with rose-purple spots on the petals, terminal racemes or panicle
  • Stem:Dark green, branched, erect annual growing to a height of 30 - 110 cm
  • Leaves:glabrous (smooth), broad, lanceolate, pinnate, Leaves and stems used medicinally
  • Seeds: Numerous, yellowish brown
  • Preferred Habitat:Moist shady places, forests, wastelands
  • Harvest Season:Late summer
  • Distribution: China, India, Pakistan, and Thailand.

Regional Traditions :Ayurvedic *