Andrographis

Supplement Forms/Alternate Names:

Andrographis paniculata, False waterwillow

Introduction

Andrographis is a plant commonly used in South Asian medicine. Its leaves are used to treat symptoms of the common cold. It can be taken as a pill or a powder.

Dosages

400-1200 milligrams once daily

What Research Shows

Likely Effective

Common colds—Likely to improve symptoms and quicken recoveryA1
Other upper respiratory infection —Likely to improve symptomsF1, F2

May Be Effective

Hypertriglyceridemia—may lower triglyceride levelsB1
Inflammatory bowel disease—May improve symptoms and ease painC1-C4
Multiple sclerosis—may ease fatigueD1
Rheumatoid Arthritis—May ease symptomsE1

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to take small amounts of andrographis over a short period of time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Andrographis can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:

People who have problems with their immune system should talk to their doctors before taking andrographis. It may interact with their medicines.

References►

A. Common Cold

A1. Wagner L, Cramer H, et al. Herbal Medicine for Cough: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Forsch Komplementmed. 2015;22(6):359-368.

B. Hypertriglyceridemia

B1. Phunikhom K, Khampitak K, et al. J. Effect of Andrographis paniculata Extract on Triglyceride Levels of the Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Assoc Thai. 2015 Jul;98 Suppl 6:S41-S47.

C. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

C1. Tang T, Targan SR, et al. Randomized clinical trial: herbal extract HMPL-004 in active ulcerative colitis – a double-blind comparison with sustained release mesalazine. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011;33(2):194-202.

C2. Ng SC, Lam YT, et al. Systematic review: the efficacy of herbal therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Oct;38(8):854-863.

C3. Sandborn WJ, Targan SR, et al. Andrographis paniculate extract (HMPL-004) for active ulcerative colitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(1):90-98.

C4. Langhorst J, Wulfert H, et al. Systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine treatments in inflammatory bowel diseases. J Crohns Colitis. 2015 Jan;9(1):86-106. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jju007. Epub 2014 Nov 28. Review.

D. Multiple Sclerosis

D1. Bertoglio JC, Baumgartner M, et al. Andrographis paniculata decreases fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 12-month double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. BMC Neurol. 2016 May 23;16:77.

E. Rheumatoid Arthritis

E1. Burgos RA, Hancke JL, et al. Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial. Clin Rheumatol. 2009;28(8):931-946.

F. Rheumatoid Arthritis

F1. Saxena RC, Singh R, et al. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis paniculata (KalmCold) in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(3-4):178-185.

F2. Hu XY, Wu RH, et al. Andrographis paniculate (Chuān Xīn Lián) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2017;12(8).

Last reviewed March 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 3/2/2019