Andrographis
Andrographis paniculata
Use this herb for:
Actions
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Immune boosting
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Increase bile production
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Liver protecting
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Antioxidant
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Bitter
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Antimicrobial (antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic)
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Acute infections (viral, bacterial, parasites)
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Hepatitis (infective)
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Intestinal worms
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Fevers
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Collitis
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Herpes simplex virus
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Urinary tract infections
Uses
Constituents
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Andrographolide
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Neoandrographolide
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Bitter compounds
Energetics
Bitter, Grounding, Spicy, Drying
For the excited and constricted tissue states.
An herb of the Ayurveda tradition known by many different names including “King of Bitters”, Kalmegh (Dark Cloud) and Bhui-neem (neem of the ground) and “bile of the earth”. These names all apply properly to this plant.
This plant is connected with the King of Pentacles or Air of Earth in the tarot. Air being a moving force that is dry and Earth being cold and motionless. Andrographis has a drying aspect to its taste and is used to cool down hot conditions. This plant is used to cool down hot conditions like fevers, inflammation in the joints and the digestive tract. Wind in Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with the nervous system. When tension exists, the nervous system is constricted and the air of this plant relaxes. The moving aspect in air of earth can also be applied to the movement of bile from the liver and parasites of the intestine.
Growing
Native to India, Andrographis grows well in damp partly shady places. Though it prefers a damp climate it also likes well drained soils. It will grow well in warmer climates but does not prefer pure heat. Andrographis also will not tolerate waterlogged soils. The plant grows from 1 – 3 feet tall and is harvested when in flowering stage when the Andrographolides are suspected to be in their highest concentration.
Cautions
High stomach acid
Stomach and intestinal ulcers
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