Benefits of Andrographis

Evidence-Based Benefits

• Upper respiratory infection treatment [2] — 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 is a herbal remedy supported by a substantial body of evidence. A Cochrane review by Hu et al. (2017) analyzed 33 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 7,175 participants and found that Andrographis, either alone or in combination, was more effective than placebo for alleviating cold symptoms. The standardized extract Kan Jang has been extensively studied in double-blind RCTs conducted in Sweden and other countries, demonstrating consistent reductions in sore throat, nasal congestion, and cough. Coon and Ernst (2004) also conducted an earlier systematic review that reached similar conclusions regarding its efficacy.

The safety profile of Andrographis has been examined in a systematic review and meta-analysis by Worakunphanich et al. (2021), which included 10 RCTs and 3 intensive monitoring studies. The findings indicated that serious adverse events were rare, occurring at a rate of 0.02 per 1000 patients, while nonserious side effects were more common, affecting approximately 102.6 per 1000 individuals.

Additionally, Andrographis has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Andrographolide, a key constituent, inhibits the NF-kB pathway, providing a pharmacological basis for its clinical effects. This mechanism is well-characterized and supports its use in treating respiratory tract infections.

However, recent research by Prabhakornritta et al. (2025) suggests that Andrographis-derived compounds may not significantly improve outcomes compared to antiviral treatments or supportive care in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases. Their systematic review and meta-analysis of 6 RCTs involving 660 adults found no significant differences in fever resolution, cough improvement, or reductions in CRP or IL-6 levels between Andrographis and control groups.

Overall, Andrographis remains a widely studied herb with demonstrated efficacy in treating upper respiratory infections, supported by multiple high-quality studies.

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