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Bulk Herbs: Andrographis Powder, Organic
Andrographis paniculata
Size: 1 oz package
Format: Powder
Plant Part: aerial parts and roots
Also Known as: Andrographis, Chirette Verte, Maha-tikta (north-eastern India), Kalmegh (Ayurveda), Nila-Vembu (Tamil), Hempedu Bumi (Malaysia), Chuan Xin Lian (Chinese)
Origin: India
Andrographis has been employed for millennia on the Indian subcontinent. Often referred to as the “King of Bitter” or “Indian echinacea”, andrographis is fast becoming a popular herb around the world. Our andrographis powder is finely ground from aerial portions of the plant which are typically harvested in bloom during the fall months.
Andrographis paniculata is a branching, herbaceous, annual that is native to India and Sri Lanka. Naturalized throughout Asia and several Caribbean islands, it is commonly cultivated in farms and backyard gardens alike. A member of the Acanthaceae family, andrographis has small pink or white flowers with purple markings and reaches up to three feet at maturity. Andrographis grows in moist, shady places and can be found thriving on hillsides, plains, and disturbed soils.
For thousands of years, andrographis has been utilized in traditional forms of healing for its beneficial properties. It can be found in pantries across Asia as a household remedy that addresses a wide range of conditions. In Ayurveda, andrographis is known as kalmegh and was used in supporting the daily functions of the immune system, as an alterative, and a digestive tonic. Andrographis and is often added to Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations with an affinity for the liver. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), andrographis is known as chuan xin lian. Energetically bitter and cooling, the aerial portions of the herb are employed as a bitter tonic to clear heat, dry dampness, and to reduce the duration and symptoms of wintertime annoyances.
Our andrographis powder is organically cultivated by our farm partners in India. High in quality, this powder can be used in a variety of botanical formulations and is sometimes used in combination with echinacea. Andrographis powder is often macerated as a liquid extract due to its bitter nature.
Active Compounds: labdane diterpenoid lactones, andrographolides, flavonoids
Actions: Anti-Venom, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immunostimulant, Cytotoxicity, Anti-diabetic, Anti-protozoan, insecticidal, anti-infective, Anti-angeogenic, Hepato-renal protective, Digestive, Atlerative
Indications: Traditionally, andrographis has been used as an immunostimulant and antipyretic.Typically used to treat infectious diseases and fevers. 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 can be used as an anti-infllammatory for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
Precautions: Andrographis interacts with many medications, so please consult your doctor before using. Andrographis can cause side effects such diarrhea, vomiting, rash, headache, runny nose, and fatigue. Side effects are more likely with higher doses. Andrographis might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using andrographis. It slows blood clotting and may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising for people with blood disorders. Because of this effect it should NOT be taken before surgery. Always contact your physician before starting any herbal treatment.