What it is
Andrographis paniculata is an Indian and SE Asian bitter herb known as kalmegh in Ayurveda. Its main active is andrographolide, a diterpene lactone with anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity.
Supplement · Adaptogen & Immune Support
Andrographis (Andrographolide)
Kalmegh, "king of bitters"
400 mg of 10% andrographolide · vegan · gluten-free · 60 caps
frequent-respiratory-infectionssore-throatliver-dysfunction lungsliverthroat
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How it works
Andrographolide inhibits NF-κB activation, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and reducing symptom severity of viral URIs. It also has hepatoprotective evidence.
Who should take it
Adults at the first signs of cold, flu, or sore throat. Best used for 5–7 days at onset rather than chronic.
Avoid / careful
Pregnancy (uterine stimulation). Anticoagulants (mild platelet effect). Don’t use long-term.
When to take it
Morning
Noon
Evening
Night
How to take it
With food
Empty stomach
Before food
FAQs
Frequently asked
Can Andrographis be taken long-term?
Andrographis is best used for short durations (5-7 days) at the onset of acute symptoms. Long-term use is not advised due to a lack of data on chronic safety.
What is the main active compound in Andrographis?
The primary active compound is andrographolide, a diterpene lactone responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects.
Is Andrographis safe during pregnancy?
No, Andrographis should be avoided during pregnancy as it may stimulate uterine contractions.
Research summary
A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.
European meta-analyses (Coon and Ernst 2004; Hu et al. 2017) confirm symptom-duration and severity benefits at 60+ mg of andrographolide daily.
From the blog
Editorial notes
SacredBod's longer take on Andrographis (Andrographolide) — context the structured blocks above don't capture.
Andrographis (Andrographolide) is a adaptogen & immune support supplement. Andrographis paniculata is an Indian and SE Asian bitter herb known as kalmegh in Ayurveda. Its main active is andrographolide, a diterpene lactone with anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity.
How it works
Andrographolide inhibits NF-κB activation, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and reducing symptom severity of viral URIs. It also has hepatoprotective evidence.
Who it’s for
Adults at the first signs of cold, flu, or sore throat. Best used for 5–7 days at onset rather than chronic.
Dosage & timing
- Typical dose: 400 mg of 10% andrographolide
- Best time: noon
- With food: with-food
- Expected onset: Acute relief within 48 hours of URI onset.
India context
Availability on Amazon India is currently limited or import-only for this form. International brands (iHerb, NOW Foods, Doctor’s Best) ship to India with variable customs handling. Local Ayurvedic equivalents may offer overlapping benefits.
Safety
Pregnancy (uterine stimulation). Anticoagulants (mild platelet effect). Don’t use long-term.
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