Andrographis Paniculata - Green Chiretta - Benefits, Usage & Side Effects

Let’s explore the wonderful world of andrographis paniculata which is also known as Green Chiretta, which is an herbal plant and native to Indian subcontinent and Sri-Lankan Island.

What Is Andrographis?

Andrographis is a medicinal plant with a bitter taste that is native to south asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka. In herbal medicine, leaves and underground plant trunks are used for a variety of conditions, from digestive issues to infectious diseases and cardiac diseases.

Andrographis paniculata has an ancient legacy of usage in traditional medicine and ayurvedic medicine and is known as Indian equinacea.

The plant’s key components are called andrographolides, and they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. As a result, andrographis can be used to treat diseases and alleviate the symptoms of the common cold and influenza.

For a wide range of other circumstances, andrographis is also used. For digestive conditions including diarrhoea, estrophy, intestinal gas, colic or abdominal ache, for hepatic situations including enlarged liver, jaundice, and liver damage caused by the treatment; for leprosy, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, malaria, cholera, leptospirosis, rabies, sinusitis and HIV/AIDS.

Dosage:

The leaves, stem, and root of andrographis were used to make tinctures, teas, powders, juices, and pastes in traditional medicine. These formulas were taken or applied topically, from intestinal worm infestations to eczema to gonorrhea and infected wounds, to improve a number of conditions.

Popular andrographis forms today include capsules, extracts, teas and tinctures. There is no single recommended dose, but different doses have been studied. One report suggests a “reasonable dose regimen” of a 300-milligram tablet, four times daily, for the first few days of symptoms for the common cold.

A higher dose of three to six grammes daily is typically recommended for fever reduction and relief from inflammatory issues or pain.1,200–1,800 milligrammes of andrographis extract a day for eight weeks is another typical dosage for ulcerative colitis and inflammation-related issues.

Benefits of Andrographis Paniculata

Andrographis has many constituents with distinct biological properties, according to research. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and immunostimulant properties have been demonstrated in extracts and pure compounds from the plant.

The Following is a List of The Plant’s Basic Health Benefits And Applications:

• Fights the Common Cold

Andrographis is a herb that is used to relieve cold symptoms such as a sore throat and cough. Colds, influenza, and cough were traditionally treated with the plant in Indian and herbal medicine.

The extracts of the plant tend to be effective and healthy for relieving respiratory symptoms and reducing the time it takes for symptoms to resolve, according to research.

Upper respiratory infections have also been shown to be helped by using andrographis alone, according to research.

• Lowers Fever

Andrographis is known as a cold herb used for heat and fever removal. It’s also used to remove toxins from the body, according to research.

The component works to prevent infections, reduce inflammation, and improve immunity.

• Reduces Inflammation

According to studies, the main compound in the plant, andrographolide, can substantially reduce inflammation caused by histamine, adrenaline, and dimethyl benzene.

Andrographis is used to alleviate health conditions such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory effects.

• Fights Infections and Boosts Immunity

Andrographis has traditionally been used to treat respiratory infections and improve immunity. It has antimicrobial and antiviral properties that have been shown to be effective in the fight against infections.

Antibacterial activity has been found in the plant’s compounds against salmonella, shigella, e. coli, and staphylococcus aureus. According to the findings, andrographolide has antiviral properties and can inhibit virus replication as well as virus-induced pathogenesis.

• Works as an Antioxidant

Andrographis contains antioxidants that protect human body components from oxidative damage, according to studies. Antioxidant defence enzyme activity has been found to be substantially increased by andrographis paniculata.

It also has the capacity to scavenge free radicals.

• May Have Anticancer Effects

Andrographis may have anticancer properties, according to some studies. It has shown to have potent cytotoxic activity toward cancer cells, and the plant’s key compound, andrographolide, is thought to have potent anticancer activity that causes cell changes.

• Has Anti-diabetic Effects

Andrographis extract has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties in animal studies, and research published in frontiers in pharmacology suggests that andrographolide could play a role in the management of metabolic syndrome. Despite the lack of human testing, the plant has been used in folk medicine to treat diabetes and liver problems.

Aside from these well-established benefits, research suggests that compounds in andrographis can help with the following health issues:

• Diarrhea
• Cardiovascular disease
• High cholesterol
• Renal disease

Risks And Side Effects

Andrographis should not be taken by young kids or pregnant or breastfeeding women. Talk to your health care provider before using andrographis to stimulate the immune system and increase your symptoms if you suffer from autoimmune disease.

People who have bleeding problems or low blood pressure should avoid using the plant or its compounds without first consulting their doctors. It is also advised to avoid using the herb if you are taking anti-clotting medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or warfarin.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

• Infants and Children: In infants when taken orally, andrographis is a short-term, possibly safe. In conjunction with other herbs, andrographis can be used for up to 1 month.
• Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding: Andrographis, when taken orally during pregnancy, is possibly unsafe. It may lead to miscarriages. There is a major worry. There is not enough information available about the protection of andrographis during breast-feeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, stay away from andrographis.
• Fertility Problems: Andrographis has been shown to interfere with reproduction in animals, although this has not been proven in humans. However, if you are having difficulty having a child or becoming pregnant, you should avoid using andrographis.
• Auto-Immune Diseases: Andrographis can lead to increasing the activity of the immune system, and it can keep increasing autoimmune disease symptoms. It’s better to stop andrographis if you have one of the autoimmune conditions.
• Bleeding Conditions: Andrographis can help to prevent blood clots. In people with bleeding problems, this could increase the risk of bleeding or damage.
• Low Blood Pressure: It indicates that andrographis could reduce blood pressure. In human beings, this was not noticed. In theory, however, andrography may decrease too much pressure if it is taken by people with low blood pressure.

Conclusion

Andrographis is a herb used in traditional and folk medicine for thousands of years.

It’s been used to treat a variety of illnesses, including respiratory infections, fevers, digestion problems, diabetes, pain, inflammatory disorders, and cancer.

Andrographis does not have a prescribed dosage because the right level is determined by an individual’s health needs. Doses of 1,200 milligrammes to six grammes a day are the most common. Moreover, this herbal compound is also available in varied forms like Andrographis tea, capsules, tinctures, and extracts.