“Andrographis”

King of the Bitters.
Latin Botanical: Andrographis paniculata
Common Name(s): Andrographis
Family: Acanthaceae
Part(s) Used: Aerial parts
Qualities: Bitter, cold, dry (very cold – pair with ginger/cinnamon)
Ayurveda – Bitter, cold, dry
TCM – clear heat from blood and detoxify fire poison (Holmes) Hot (inflammatory)/Damp (toxic) combination.
Very cold – can maybe combine with a diaphoretic tea to counteract/balance cooling property
Constituents:
- Bitter diterpenoid lactones (andrographolides) – ‘Danger Receptors’
- Diterpene glucosides
- Diterpene dimers
- Flavonoids
Actions:
- Bitter tonic/Digestive
- Immune enhancing (Traditionally linked with infections of respiratory system)
- Anti-pyretic
- Choleretic/Cholagogue – increases bile flow & gallbladder function
- Hepatoprotective – liver tonic
- Diaphoretic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Anthelmintic (esp. pin worm)
- Adaptogen (Thomsen)
- Antiplatelet
- Cardioprotective (Thomsen)
- Febrifuge
Indications:
- URTIs and the common cold + fever (acute)
- Immune Deficiency – support immune system in both acute and chronic bacterial infections (especially topically – e.g. acne and cellulitis combined with gotu kola and echinacea)
- Sore Throat
- Pneumonia and URTI
- Infections of Skin
- Acute immunological herb – can be quick working
- Enteric infections
- Infective hepatitis (acute forms especially)
- Liver congestion – intolerance to fats, poor bowel motions, poor bile flow
- Sluggish Liver – as above
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Infestation with intestinal worms – esp. pin worms – ACUTE DOSES
- Gastroenteritis – with a liver component
- Ulcerative colitis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Flatulence
- Diarrhoea
- Preventing UTI’s (following shock wave lithotripsy)
- Loss of appetite
- Dyspepsia/ Digestive weakness/ GIT Infestation
- Recovery from convalescence
- Diabetes type 2 (Thomsen)
- Mould illness – help brain-fo
- Improve cognition – stimulates neurogenesis in hippocampus – important for long & short term memory
- Troubles with fat digestion
NOTE: Use for Borrelia, Babesia & Bartonella infections. Good for Sx of brain fog in these chronic infections.
Contraindications/Cautions:
- Pregnancy – Traditionally not used – Anti-fertility effects in female mice
- Preconception – Oral leaf powder in male rats > anti-fertility effect & biochemical changes in testes – Not duplicated in standardised ethanolic dried leaf extract
- Pregnancy was prevented with andrographis powder in female mice (Bone)
- Antiplatelet drugs – Theoretical additive antiplatelet – observe the patient.
- Hypoglycaemic agents –Additive effects are theoretically possible (has hypoglycaemic activity comparable to metformin in vivo) – monitor blood glucose, interaction may be beneficial.
- Immunosuppressants – Reduced drug activity is theoretically possible (immunostimulant activity has been demonstrated in vivo) – use caution in the immunosuppressed.
- Sensitive digestion – high doses can cause gastric discomfort, anorexia and vomiting. Beware in reflux cases
- FEW CASES OF EXTREME ALLERGIC REACTION – Due to andrographalide (tablet). Warn patient.
Dosage:
Liquid Extract 20-40mL of 1:2 LE per week
4.0 – 6.0 grams day
Combination: Aromatics or warming herbs – such as Ginger or cinnamon
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