Andrographis, Chuan Xin Lian 穿心莲Indian GentianKalmegha (Ayurveda) Kiryat (Unani) Rgya Tig རྒྱ་ཏིག (Tibetan) Chuan Xin Lian (TCM) |
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(Photo by H. Zell) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Andrographis paniculata
Parts used:
Herb
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Bitter
Uses:
1. Clears Liver Heat, Resolves Damp:
-Liver Fever; Bile Fever
-Hepatitis, Jaundice
-hot, painful, dribbling urine
-Diarrhea; Dysentery; Ulcerative Colitis
-Gout; Inflammation
2. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-various acute bacterial and viral infections
-in Ayurveda it is used for complex Fever involving all 3 Dosas (Wind/Bile/Phlegm)
-Sore Throat; Colds, Influenza; acute Cough from Lung heat
-Upper Respiratory tract infection, Sinusitis, Bronchitis, Pneumonia
-Itchiness, skin diseases, Sores, Eczema, Leprosy
3. Stimulates Digestion:
-like other Bitters, small doses stimulate appetite, digestion, gastric motility and Liver function
-indigestion, nausea, loss of appetite
4. Kills Worms:
-adjunct for Worms
5. Externally:
-applied to hot and painful inflammations
-as a wash for hot, inflamed and itchy skin conditions
-burns, scalds
-venomous bites including Snake Bite
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams (up to 6 grams)
Correctives
… available in PRO version
Substitutes:
… available in PRO version

Main Combinations:
1. Fever:
i. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
ii. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
2. Heat of the Blood, Andrographis with … available in PRO version
3. Cough from Lung heat:
i. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
ii. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
4. Lung Abscess:
i. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
ii. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
5. Dysentery, Amoebic Dysentery, Enteritis:
i. decoct 10–15 fresh leaves of Andrographis, then add Honey just before drinking (TCM)
ii. acute Dysentery, Gastroenteritis, … available in PRO version
iii. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
iv. Andrographis, … available in PRO version
6. Urinary tract Infections:
i. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
ii. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
7. Skin diseases from Heat/Bile:
i. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
ii. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
8. Weakness of the Immune system:
i. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
ii. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
9. Liver Heat and Toxin, Hepatoprotective:
i. Andrographis with … available in PRO version
ii. Andrographis, … available in PRO version
iii. Andrographis, … available in PRO version
Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Not used in bleeding disorders.
3. Avoid in Hypotension.
4. It has demonstrated Anti-Fertility activity; avoid in Sterility or in those trying to conceive.
5. Large doses aggravate gastrointestinal tract and may induce vomiting.
Main Preparations used:
Powder, Tincture, Extract
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Extra Info
- Research