Benefits of Andrographis

Evidence-Based Benefits

• Upper respiratory infection treatment — a Cochrane review by Hu et al. (2017) of 33 RCTs (n=7,175) found andrographis significantly reduced cough, sore throat, and overall cold symptoms compared to placebo, with effects comparable to or better than some conventional treatments
• Anti-inflammatory — andrographolide is a potent inhibitor of NF-kB, the master inflammatory transcription factor, reducing production of pro-inflammatory mediators including COX-2, iNOS, and inflammatory cytokines
• Antiviral activity — andrographolide demonstrates in vitro activity against multiple respiratory viruses by inhibiting viral protease activity and viral RNA replication
• Immune stimulation — andrographis enhances phagocytic activity of macrophages and increases production of IL-2, a key cytokine for T-cell proliferation and immune coordination
• Fever reduction — traditional use for fever is supported by andrographolide's ability to modulate prostaglandin synthesis via COX-2 inhibition, a mechanism shared with NSAIDs

What the Research Says

Andrographis has an unusually strong evidence base for a herbal remedy. The Cochrane review by Hu et al. (2017) analyzed 33 RCTs with 7,175 participants, concluding that andrographis (alone or in combination) was superior to placebo for relieving cold symptoms. The standardized extract Kan Jang has been tested in multiple double-blind RCTs conducted in Sweden and other countries, showing consistent reductions in sore throat, nasal symptoms, and cough. Coon and Ernst (2004) conducted an earlier systematic review reaching similar conclusions. Andrographolide's anti-inflammatory mechanism via NF-kB inhibition is well-characterized and provides a pharmacological basis for its clinical effects.

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