Kalmegh

Acanthaceae Andrographis Used Over the last decade, andrographis (often combined with eleutherococcus) has become popular in Scandinavia as a treatment for colds. It is beginning to become available in the United States as well. Reasonably good evidence tells us that it can reduce the severity of cold symptoms. It may also help prevent colds. Although we don't know how andrographis might work for colds, preliminary evidence suggests that it might stimulate immunity,2 potentially making it useful for general immune support. Interestingly, the ingredient of andrographis used for standardization purposes, andrographolide, does not appear to affect the immune system as much as the whole plant extract. Andrographis combined with eleutherococcus, licorice, and schizandra has shown promise for a genetic disease called familial Mediterranean fever.24,25 Preliminary studies in animals weakly suggest that andrographis may offer benefits for preventing heart disease.3,4,5 In addition, highly preliminary studies suggest that andrographis may help protect the liver from toxic injury, perhaps more successfully than the more famous liver-protective herb milk thistle.6,7,8 It also appears to stimulate gallbladder contraction.9 Andrographis does not appear to have any antibacterial effects Scientific Evidence for Andrographis Reducing Cold Symptoms A meta-analysis (statistically rigorous review of studies) published in 2004 found seven reasonable quality double-blind, controlled trials, enrolling a total of 896 participants, evaluating the use of andrographis for the treatment of acute respiratory infections.11,12,13,26 The combined results indicate that andrographis is more effective than placebo for reducing symptoms. For example, a 4-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 158 adults with colds found that treatment with andrographis significantly reduced cold symptoms.14 Participants were given either placebo or 1,200 mg daily of an andrographis extract standardized to contain 5% andrographolide. The results showed that by day 2 of treatment, and even more by day 4, individuals who were given the actual treatment experienced significant improvements in symptoms compared to participants in the placebo group. The greatest response was seen in earache, sleeplessness, nasal drainage, and sore throat, but other cold symptoms improved as well. Three other double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, enrolling a total of about 400 people, evaluated an herbal combination treatment containing both andrographis and Eleutherococcus senticosus.15,22 Another study found this combination more effective than echinacea for colds in children.27 Andrographis has also been compared to acetaminophen (Tylenol). In a double-blind study of 152 adults with sore throat and fever, participants received andrographis (in doses of 3 g per day or 6 g per day, for 7 days) or acetaminophen.16 The higher dose of andrographis (6 g) decreased symptoms of fever and throat pain to about the same extent as acetaminophen, but the lower dose of andrographis (3 g) was not as effective. There were no significant side effects in either group. A Russian study of questionable quality apparently found andrographis approximately as effective as the drug amanditine for influenza infections.28 Preventing Colds According to one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, andrographis may increase resistance to colds.17 A total of 107 students, all 18 years old, participated in this 3-month-long trial that used a dried extract of andrographis. Fifty-four of the participants took two 100-mg tablets standardized to 5.6% andrographolide daily—considerably less than the 1,200 to 6,000 mg per day that has been used in studies on treatment of colds. The other 53 students were given placebo tablets with a coating identical to the treatment. Then, once a week throughout the study, a clinician evaluated all the participants for cold symptoms. By the end of the trial, only 16 people in the group using andrographis had experienced colds, compared to 33 of the placebo-group participants. This difference was statistically significant, indicating that andrographis reduces the risk of catching a cold by a factor of two as compared to placebo. Remedies For Digestive: Promotes digestion Hepatoprotective: Protects the liver and gall bladder. Vermicidal: Kills intestinal worms & support intestine Anti-acne: Protect skin from pimples Analgesic: Pain killer Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and cuts down exudation from capillaries Antibacterial: Fights bacterial activity. Although Andrographis appears to have weak direct antibacterial action, it has remarkably beneficial effect in reducing diarrhea and symptoms arising from bacterial infections. Expectorant: Promotes mucus discharge from the respiratory system. Hypoglycemic: Blood sugar reducer. Immune Enhancement. Laxative: Aids bowel elimination Sedative: A relaxing herb, though not with the same effect as the accepted herbal sedatives, valerian roots, hops, skullcap, etc. Medicinal Properties: According to Ayurveda the plant is bitter, acrid, cooling, laxative, vulnerary, antipyretic, antiperiodic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, depurative, soporific, anthelmintic, digestive and useful in hyperdispsia, buring sensation, wounds, ulcers, chronic fever, malarial and intermittent fevers, inflammations, cough, bronchitis, skin diseases, leprosy, colic, flatulence, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids etc. Kalmegh is also a reputed Homoeopathic drug. In Bengal (India), household medicine known as "Alui" is prepared from fresh leaves and is given to children suffering from stomach complaints. Recent experimental finding indicated that Kalmegh is having antityphoid and antibiotic properties. It has been proved to be hepatopratective drug. The extract is derived form the plant of Andrographis paniculata belonging to family Acanthaceae. This ancient Indian medicinal herb known as Kalmegh is historically been used as a Hepatoprotective and for common cold. It is used as a bitter ingredient in the Indian indigenous system of medicine. Traditionally the decoction of Andrographis rootstalks and leaves is commonly used as a bitter tonic, alterative, anthelmintic and antiperiodic, and is useful in intermittent fevers. The major phytoconstituent is Andrographolides. The most common therapeutic potential of Andrographis paniculata is its liver protective property. The clinical and preclinical studies demonstrates its liver protective effects by enhancing activity of antioxidant enzymes along with the level of glutathione and decreasing the activity of lipid peroxidase which leads to generation of free radicals damaging the liver cells thus exerting a Hepatoprotective activity. Andrographolides present in Andrographis paniculata are observed to be potential enhancers of immune system functions such as production of white blood cells which are the defense cells of our body, release of an antiviral factor called interferon, and also activity of the lymphatic system which is the seat of our defense system. Andrographis paniculata extracts are cytotoxic (cell-killing) against cancer cells. This cancer cell-killing ability was demonstrated against human epidermoid carcinoma of the skin lining of the nasopharynx and against lymphocytic leukemia cells involved in leukemia. It was also discovered during this study that the andrographolide present in Andrographis paniculata was found to have the cancer cell-killing potential. Scientific studies have also reported its use as Immunostimulant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, contraceptive, biliary stimulator, tranquilizer and more Andrographis promotes a healthy heart by preventing blocked arteries and blood clots Scientists today, however, are focusing on the herb's application in treating the 'killer' diseases that blight modern life, such as heart disease, cancer and even AIDS. The main active constituent in andrographis is andrographolide, which in herbal medicine is referred to as a 'bitter' principle - so called because of its bitter taste. Indeed, andrographis is known as the 'King of Bitters'. Bitter herbs generally have an affinity with the heart, liver and gall bladder and most have a cooling effect on the body and can bring down a temperature. According to studies in China, andrographis is effective in preventing the formation of blood clots and preventing the re-clogging of arteries after angioplasty - a technique used to treat blocked arteries by inserting a balloon into the blood vessels which is then inflated to widen the artery 5. Further research shows that the herb activates fibrinolysis, a natural process in the body in which blood clots are dissolved. It also relaxes the smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels and has a blood pressure-lowering effect 6.