Andrographis belongs to the Plantae kingdom and falls under the Andrographis paniculata species. It has common names such as green chiretta or creat. The plant is native to India and Sri Lanka and cultivated in major parts of South and Southeast Asia. It is also known as Indian Echinacea.
It is also very good at treating bacterial infections and many other diseases. Its leaves and roots are usually the parts that are used for medicinal purposes. The plant has seen many uses in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Andrographis extracts have a lot of benefits, such as preventing the common cold, boosting immunity, antioxidant richness and many more.
We will guide you through the various uses of the Andrographis plant and the situations where its use is not advisable.
Benefits Of Andrographis Extract
It is rarely the case when the plant has direct consumption. The extract form of Andrographis has a wide range of uses. There are plenty of known benefits of the plant. The most common uses are prevention from the common cold and influenza. People even make claims about its effectiveness in stopping the 1919 flu epidemic in India. Although, it is yet to be proven.
Its usage also extends to stomach-related issues such as diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. There is also treatment for many infections, such as
Pneumonia
Leprosy
Tuberculosis
Rabies
Consuming it can also be good for treating various health problems like jaundice, fatty liver, etc.
There are numerous other uses, but due to insufficient human trials to prove its effects, there are still doubts about its consumption. At the same time, the already present studies are not enough to make any conclusive statements.
The next section will cover some of the trials that were conducted to test the efficiency of Andrographis and their results.
Studies To Test The Efficiency Of Andrographis
To check the efficiency of Andrographis, check some of the trials and studies that have been done on it.
Animal Trials
Let’s first look at some of the animal trials and the results of those trials.
A study was conducted on alcohol-seeking behavior in rats. It was seen that the rats that were genetically prone to alcohol were showing fewer signs of alcohol-seeking behavior. There was also a reduction in cue-induced alcohol-seeking, but the effects on yohimbine-induced alcohol-seeking did not see any change. The results were in favor of a reduction in alcohol-seeking behavior in those who had taken Andrographis. However, there is a need for more conclusive human trials.
Another study tested the anti-inflammatory effects of the plant, and the results were again in favor. There was a reduction in inflammation cytokines and a reduction in levels of uric acid.
The study on diabetic rats also showed improvement in diabetic behavior, and on top of that, there was an improvement in body weight, blood glucose, and many other useful chemicals.
Several other studies indicate an improvement in sexual performance, and the investigation of its anticancer effects could also see beneficial effects.
Human Trials
Human trials have also been taking place to check the efficiency of different doses of Andrographis. We will mention some of those trials to show their effects on the particular phenomenon of those experiments.
The study on human patients was conducted to test the effects of Andrographis on ulcerative colitis. A dosage of 400 mg or 600 mg Andrographis paniculata extract, thrice a day for 8 weeks, was seen to have the effects of a mesalamine. It basically means that it was effective in reducing inflammation.
There was a 30 mg dosage taken 3 times a day spanning over 14 weeks in 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results favoured the drug, as there was an improvement in the symptoms.
The first phase of the study on patients with HIV saw a halt to the replication of the virus in 6 weeks, even in the presence of higher CD4+ counts.
There were studies on the effects of respiratory infections. However, experts suggest that the methodology in those studies was of poor quality. But, all of those results were in favor of the drug.
In a study on Asian patients with Osteoarthritis, they were given two daily doses. The observation was that there was a reduction in pain and stiffness. The quality of life and fatigue also had significant improvement.
Common Uses Of Andrographis Extract
There is a lack of medical evidence, but, at the same time, extracts of Andrographis have a lot of common usages. This may be because of the fact that people who use it get the intended results. Some of its commons uses are:
Prevention and curing of a common cold
Reduction in fever
Helping with a sore throat
Inflammatory bowel disease
Treatment of Influenza
Different Ways To Consume Andrographis
There are many ways to consume Andrographis, and people usually take it via its root extracts by mixing it with other food ingredients. You should avoid direct consumption because of the extremely bitter flavour it possesses. You can consume it in the following ways:
Direct consumption (if you have already done it or can handle the bitterness)
You can add its powdered form to your meal
You can also take it by adding it to tea, warm water, or soup.
Side Effects Of Andrographis And When It Should Not Be Used
The Andrographis plant has a bitter flavor that is inherent in its extract as well. This taste can sometimes lead to puking. There are certain side effects, such as allergies, rashes, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, etc. Some of the possible adverse reactions include anaphylactic reactions and lymph node enlargement (in cases of very high doses).
Pregnant women should not consume Andrographis paniculata in any form. The reason for it is the inherent ovulation-prevention effects of the plant. Patients who are on chemotherapy medication should not consume it as well due to the antioxidant effects that can hamper the activity of the drugs. While the effect of Andrographis on a study with healthy individuals was transient, it did cause a lowering of blood pressure. So, patients on medication to lower their BP should also avoid Andrographis.
Where To Buy Andrographis Extract?
There are a lot of online stores that sell the extract of this plant. But it is advisable to buy it from a trusted source and ensure the quality of the product.
You can buy it online or visit our store at 2322 Butano Drive, Suite 210, Sacramento, CA 95825. You can also purchase it from our online store at Shea’s Apothecary at reasonable prices. We will provide the best quality Andrographis extract. If you have any queries, then you can contact us by sending a mail to shea@sheashealingway.com or calling us at 916 208-9096.
Conclusion
Andrographis is a herbal plant with wide usage despite not having enough medical evidence to back it up. While there are some side effects and things that you should watch out for, the general idea is that it is a beneficial plant whose extracts can treat colds, flu, and many other common diseases.
Because of the long history of its use, there should be no doubt about the fact that people use it so much. It can also be really helpful as a dietary supplement to boost your immunity. With so much versatility, we can see it becoming even more popular in the future.
