INTRODUCTION

Andrographis has a long historical record as an ancient medicinal herb, used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.Historically, the herb has been widely used as a treatment for the common cold, flu, upper respiratory infections, and a variety of infectious diseases.

It’s a traditional herbal treatment for diseases and ailments such as diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, pneumonia, swollen lymph nodes, leprosy, bronchitis, sore throats, tuberculosis, chicken pox, coughs, headaches, ear infection, inflammation, burns and mumps.Andrographis was used as a treatment for malaria, as a replacement for quinine.

USES

 Andrographis has been found to be an effective anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and immune system stimulant. It is used in viral hepatitis, children's bowel complaints, gastric acidity, liver congestion, flatulence. It is being increasingly used as treatment for colds. Reasonably good evidence tells us that it can reduce the severity of cold symptoms. It may also help prevent colds. Preliminary evidence suggests that it stimulate immunity, potentially making it useful for general immune support. Interestingly, the ingredient of Andrographis used for standardization purposes, andrographolide, does not appear to affect the immune system as much as the whole plant extract.