History and Uses
Andrographis is a flowering
plant that grows abundantly in southeast China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia,
and Thailand. Most of its uses are backed by scientific studies.
It has been used in ayurvedic medicine (treating the
body as a whole by restoring the balance and harmony of
the individual) for approximately 5,000 years. Uses include:
-
May abort pregnancies [warning for those who are
pregnant] (2,3)
-
Helps reduce fever (4,5,6)
-
Blood clot support (7,8,9)
-
Aids the pain threshold
-
Helps protect the liver and gall
bladder (10,11)
-
Support issues associated with common
colds (1,12)
-
Interferes with key
enzymes that result in viral reproduction showing possible benefits to AIDS / HIV sufferers
along with those who have herpes/cold sores (13).
Andrographolides (the primary
medicinal component of Andrographis) enhances the immune system by increasing white blood cell count. In addition, it
releases interferon and increases activity of the lymph system.
Interferon is a protein made by cells in response to viruses which, may in
turn, make it an antiviral agent (14,15).
Andrographolides have a short
half-life -- approximately two hours. "Half-life" refers to
how long the compound is in the body before it becomes half strength of what
it was before it entered the body. It is then broken down into other
forms (metabolites) and excreted by urine, feces, respiration, and
sweat. Short half-life compounds have to be consumed often since they
leave the body rather quickly. Some studies (16) show andrographolide is
removed from the body within eight hours. As a result, it is recommended
that you consume andrographis every 5-6 hours for whatever health issue is being addressed.
Side Effects:
Some may develop intestinal
upset. If so, reduce the amount or take it with meals. In
addition, the possibility of a headache or fatigue may occur. Classified
as a bitter herb, andrographis
may aggravate ulcers and/or
heartburn.
As a result, a bitter or metallic taste has been reported when taking the herb
by some people. HIV-infected people taking high doses showed an increase in liver enzymes in
one trial. This has not been reported in people using whole andrographis
or standardized extracts at the
amounts recommended on the previous page. The safety of using
andrographis during
pregnancy or breast-feeding is unknown.
We are not aware if there
are drug interactions with andrographis.
None have been reported as we know, however, keep in mind that prescription
drug interactions with the human body in general, are commonplace.
Note: Kan-Jang
ins another name for Andrographis paniculata.
References:
(1) Burgos R.A., and D.D. Caceres. A double-blind study with a new mono drug:
Kan-Jang: Common colds. Research performed at
the University of Chile, Departments of Pharmacology and School of Public
Health, Santiago, Chile and funded by the Swedish Herbal Institute. August
1994.
[Patients were divided into two
groups with one group taking 1,200 mg/day (standardized to 4 percent
andrographolides -- 48 mg.) of Kan Jang. The researchers concluded that treatment with Kang
Jang supported patients with the common cold.]
(2) Yin, J., and L. Guo.
1993. Contemporary traditional Chinese medicine. Beijing: Xie Yuan.
(3) Zoha, M.S., A.H. Hussain,
and S.A. Choudhury. 1989. Antifertility effects of Andrographis paniculata in
mice. Bangladesh Med. Res. Council Bull. 15:34-37.
(4) Deng, W.L. 1978. Preliminary studies on the pharmacology of the
Andrographis product dihydroandrographolide sodium succinate. Newsletters
of Chinese Herbal Med. 8:26-28.
(5) Madav. H.C., T. Tripathi,
and S.K. Mishra. 1995. Analgesic, antipyretic, and antiulcerogenic effects of
andrographolide. Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 57 [3]:121-25.
(6) Vedavathy, S. and K.N.
Rao. 1991. Antipyretic activity of six indigenous medicinal plants of Tirumala
Hills, Andhra Pradesh, India. Ethnopharmacology 33:193-96.
(7) Huang, L.Y. 1987. The
effects of andrographolides on experimental blood deficiency of cardiac
muscle. Chinese Herbal Med. 18(7): 26-28.
(8) Wang, D., and H. Zhao.
1993. Experimental studies on atherosclerotic arterial
stenosis and restenosis after angioplasty with Andrographis paniculata Nees
and fish oil. J. of Tongji Medical University 13(4):193-98.
(9) Zhao, H., and W. Fang.
1990. Protective effects of Andrographis paniculata Nees on
post-infarction myocardium in experimental dogs. J. of Tongji Medical
University 10(4):212-17.
(10) Kapil, A., I.B. Koul,
S.K. Banerjee, and B.D. Gupta. 1993. Antihepatotoxic effects of major
diterpenoid constituents of Andrographis paniculata. Biochemical
Pharmacology 46(1):182-85.
(11) Shukla, B., P.K.S.
Visen, G.K. Patnaik, and B.N. Dhawan. 1992. Choleretic effect of
andrographolide in rats and guinea pigs. Planta Med. 58:146-48.
(12) Caceres D.D., J.L.
Hancke, R.A. Burgos, and G.K. Wikman. 1997. Common colds
with Andrographis paniculata dried extract: A pilot double-blind
trial. Phytomedicine. 4(2): 101-4.
(13) Holt, Stephen M.D.,
Linda Comac, Miracle Herbs: How Herbs Combine with Modern Medicine to Treat
Cancer, Heart Disease, AIDS, and More, Caro Publishing Group, 1998.
(14) Signal Transduction
Companies (editorial). Genetic Engineering News 16(1), 1 January 1996.
(15) Tang, W., and G.
Eisenbrandt. 1992. Chinese drugs of plant origin: Chemistry, pharmacology,
and use in traditional and modern medicine. New York: Springer-Verlag.
(16) Jean Barilla, M.S.,
1999. Andrographis paniculata: Can herbs fight common ailments, cancer, and
chronic viral infections? A Keats Good Health Guide, p. 17-20.
