Andrographis

Also Known As: Creat, Green Chireta, King of Bitters, and Indian Echinacea

Botanical Name: Andrographis Paniculata

Family Name: Acanthaceae

Native To: India and Sri Lanka

Parts To Use: Mostly Leaves & Roots, Whole Plant Can Be Harvested

How It’s Used: Most widely used to treat cold and flu symptoms. Also acts as a natural immune-booster used to treat conditions such as: cancer, allergies, arthritis, sinus infections, and skin diseases.

Harvesting: Plant is mature 120 days after sowing. It is harvested when most plants are in bloom by uprooting. First it should be dried in the sun for two days and afterwards in the shade. Dry material should be stored in dark, airy and moisture-free places.

Andrographis is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world for the treatment of common cold. It is a bitter-tasting herb, rich in compounds known as andrographolides long used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. It can be found in a variety of habitats, such as plains, hillsides, coastlines, and disturbed and cultivated areas such as roadsides, farms, and wastelands.

This plant does best in sunny locations when the seeds are sown during May and June. Andrographis grows as an erect herb to a height of 12–43 inches. The stem is dark green and the lance-shaped leaves have hairless blades measuring up to 3 inches long by 1 inch wide. The small flowers are pink and the fruit is a capsule about 1 inch long and a few millimeters wide. It contains many yellow-brown seeds. The flowering time is September to December.

The leaf and underground stem are used to make medicine. Andrographis works by stimulating the immune system and preventing viruses from binding to cells in the body. Taking Andrographis seems to improve cough and sore throat in people with the common cold or to reduce fever and pain from tonsillitis and other conditions. This herb is available in capsule and tincture form, and can be found at most health food stores. 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.