What is Andrographis?
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculate) is a plant native to South Asian countries. It is commonly used in the traditional Indian medicine system, Ayurveda. Andrographis leaf and stem might work by stimulating the immune system. It might also prevent flu viruses from binding to cells in the body.
People commonly use andrographis for the common cold, osteoarthritis, infection of the throat and tonsils, and a type of bowel disease called ulcerative colitis. It is also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its other uses.
Overview:
Andrographis paniculata is a versatile tropical plant that is considered to have many essential medicinal properties. Plants can combine an open scope of the natural active compound that carries out significant organic roles and are used as pharmaceuticals. Herbal plants have therapeutic and prophylactic properties, so scientists are concentrating on developing crude drugs to make people’s lives easier. Medicinal plants are the primary sources of therapeutic remedies for various ailments. These potential medicinal effects are primarily attributed to their active phytoconstituents. The importance of plants has been well understood by society and is well documented by scientists who have attached medicinal values to plants since ancient times. A. paniculata has been used as a herbal remedy for treating the upper gastrointestinal tract and upper respiratory tract, fever, herpes, diabetes, and other chronic illness. The A. paniculata treats a wide range of diseases in traditional medicinal systems, and its intended benefits must be evaluated. Depending on different plant studies, this review aims to discuss the medicinal values, pharmacological activity, and toxicity profile of A. paniculata like antibacterial, antioxidative, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity for successful plant usage.
Health Benefits:
Respiratory health: The most effective use of andrographis may be to relieve symptoms of the common cold and other respiratory infections, such as coughing and a sore throat — andrographis was used as a treatment during the flu epidemic of 1919 in India. Researchers have found that taking a high dose of andrographis for 3 days was just as effective at relieving signs of tonsilitis as paracetamol (acetaminophen).
Anti-inflammation: Andrographis has anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers think it works by reducing the number of cytokines in your body. (Cytokines are chemicals that trigger inflammation around the affected area.) ResearchersTrusted Source think that this may be able to help reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, a condition caused by inflammation in the joints.
Osteoarthritis: A study from 2019 confirmed that after 28 days of taking a supplement containing andrographolide, men and women with mild to moderate osteoarthritis in their knee joints saw significant reductions in pain. The presence of a placebo group in this finding means the result is reliable, and suggests the supplement is an effective therapy for the condition.
Ulcerative colitis: The anti-inflammatory properties of andrographis have been shown to significantly limit the inflammatory proteins responsible for the condition. However, these findings were in-lab experiments, and its use as a medicinal therapy requires more research.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune condition. The anti-inflammatory properties of andrographis help to get rid of the immune cells that attack your joints, in laboratory conditions. More research could show the supplement as being a possible therapy for RA.
Protection from hepatitis C infection: Andrographis may help protect your liver during infection of hepatitis C. The active part of andrographis, andrographolide, helps to limit the growth of a virus, reducing the rate at which the infection develops. This helps to prevent damage to your liver that can be seen as an effect of hepatitis C infections.