Andrographis
Andrographis paniculata
Andrographis is a branched, erect annual plant that grows
in forests and wastelands in China, India, Pakistan, and
Thailand. Its leaves and stems are harvested in late
summer for medicinal use. It is cultivated extensively in China
and Thailand, and in the East and West Indies.
Other names
- Chuan Xin Liang
- Fah Tolai
- Kalmegh
- King Of Bitters
- Kiryat
Uses
Andrographis is an ancient medicinal herb with an
extensive history in Asia. It has been used for centuries to treat
upper respiratory infections, fever,
herpes,
sore throat, and
a variety of other chronic and infectious diseases. In
Scandinavian countries, it is commonly used to prevent and
treat the common cold. There have been conclusive studies
of its use against cancer, AIDS, and a variety of bacterial
and viral diseases.
Benefits of andrographis for specific health conditions
include the following:
- Atherosclerosis and
heart attack. Clinical studies in China
have found that andrographis prevents the formation of
blood clots and that use of the herb prevents restenosis, or
"reclogging," of arteries after angioplasty. The herb changes
the way the linings of blood vessels respond to
calcium,
helping them to stay open.
- Cancer. It has been shown that if a cancer cell can be made
to mature (or differentiate), it will not have the ability to
grow out of control. Results of a study have demonstrated
that andrographis has potent cell-differentiation-inducing
activity on leukemia cells. Moreover, extracts from andrographis leaves are cytotoxic (cell-killing) against cancer
cells. Japanese researchers have reported that andrographis
stops stomach cancer cells from multiplying. Other studies
have found positive results with skin cancer,
prostate and
breast cancer cells, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
- Cold, fever, and flu. Andrographis prevents
infections with
rhinoviruses, the type of viruses most often responsible for
the common cold. Taking 200 milligrams a day of an andrographis preparation (marketed as Kan Jang) throughout the
cold season reduces the risk of catching a cold by over
50 percent. Andrographis also relieves runny nose,
headache,
sore muscles, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and
fatigue, although a dose of 1,200 milligrams or more a day
may be needed for this effect. Andrographis has also been
used to reduce fever and pain, and for disorders of the
intestinal tract.
- Diarrhea and other intestinal disorders. Extracts of andrographis have been shown to have significant effects against
the diarrhea associated with E. coli bacterial infections. In
one study, chronic inflammation of the colon was treated
with a combination of 60 grams of andrographis and 30
grams of rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa), with a cure rate
of 72 percent. Twenty-six percent experienced symptomatic relief.
- Hepatitis;
liver and gallbladder problems. The primary active
ingredient in andrographis, andrographolide, increases bile
flow and the levels of bile salts and bile acids. It was found
to be more potent than silymarin (an active ingredient in
milk thistle), which is used clinically as a hepatoprotective
agent. Also, the andrographolides present in andrographis
are potent stimulators of gallbladder function, therefore
reducing the probability of gallstone formation.
- HIV/AIDS. Andrographis counteracts the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in at least four different ways. Studies
at the University of California have shown that a
combination of chemicals in the herb keeps the virus from attaching
to healthy T cells. This keeps the celIs from becoming
infected. Manufacturer-reported studies found the herb also
fights HIV in cells once they have become infected. Also a
natural protease inhibitor, andrographis is currently being
studied for this property. Compounds in the herb make it
more difficult for HIV to take over a "control enzyme" in
certain T celIs that force the cells to make copies of the virus.
This action is the same as the action of the AIDS drug
zidovudine (Retrovir, better known as AZT), and taking
andrographis makes it possible for doctors to treat AIDS
with lower doses of AZT and fewer side effects. Finally,
andrographis keeps HIV from activating an "off-switch"
that causes uninfected T cells to die. The use of this herb
reduces viral load while helping maintain T-cell counts.
Considerations
Andrographis should be used in the form of tablets made
from a standardized extract. The brand Androtech
(produced by BioTherapies), which combines andrographis
with Echinacea and
zinc, is useful for preventing and
treating colds, while other standardized preparations of the herb
are useful for other applications. Andrographis reduces
fertility in both men and women, and should be avoided
during pregnancy and nursing.
Formal toxicological studies have confirmed that
andrographolide and other andrographis compounds have very
low toxicity. In rare cases, some people who use
andrographis experience dizziness and
heart palpitations. Some
may have an allergic reaction ranging from minor skin
rash
to more serious anaphylaxis.
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