Andrographis paniculata is a commonly used herb in India and China, but not as well known here in the West. It is best known for its antimicrobial and immune-enhancing properties and is often called “Indian Echinacea,” but its benefits are wide-ranging for a much larger number of conditions. It has many benefits for general immunity during cold and flu season, and may have applications for people with chronic infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease or AIDS. It may also be beneficial for people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. These last two conditions can also be triggered by infectious processes.

Stephen Harrod Buhner, who is a well known and respected herbalist, uses andrographis as the cornerstone of his Lyme Healing Protocol. Lyme disease is a spirochetal bacterial infection, which is extremely difficult to eliminate from the body in its tertiary stage. Because diagnosis and testing for this condition are sorely lacking at present, many people never realize they have this debilitating disease until years have passed since they were infected and the bacteria is well entrenched in their system. The bacteria also form cysts that allow them to hide from the body’s own immune system. It also creates an overproduction of fibrin, which basically means that a person with this disease produces an abnormal amount of scar tissue, and that their blood will thicken and their blood circulation will be reduced. All of these things make this bacterial disease difficult to treat. Research in other countries has shown that this herb can stimulate fibrinolysis, preventing the formation of unhealthy blood clots. Andrographis may help Lyme sufferers, as a result of its possible antimicrobial and immune-enhancing activity, and also as a result of its potential ability to break down excess fibrin in the blood.

For those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, there may be underlying infectious processes that trigger the symptoms of their condition. The Epstein-Barr virus has been implicated in chronic fatigue syndrome, and mycoplasma infections have been implicated in fibromyalgia. Dr. Garth Nicholsen, a practitioner of orthomolecular medicine, has successfully treated many illnesses such as CFS, fibromyalgia, and Gulf War Syndrome using therapies similar to those used to treat Lyme disease, which primarily involved the use long-term treatment of a combination of antibiotics. Some of the bacteria involved in these conditions include mycoplasma pneumoniae, mycoplasma fermentans, and mycoplasma genitalis.
Andrographis may also have activity against these potential pathogens.

Recent research has shown that the herb improves gallbladder function by increasing bile flow, while being as effective as milk thistle in protecting the liver.

Several studies have shown that andrographis can increase the body’s resistance to infection by stimulating the production of antibodies and macrophages.

Andrographis extracts have also been shown to kill cancer cells in vitro, and some studies have suggested that they may be as effective as tamoxifen, the drug commonly used to prevent breast cancer cells from regenerating.

Andrographis has been shown to be active against the HIV virus. It appears to prevent the virus from infecting healthy T cells and also appears to fight the HIV virus in cells that have already been absorbed. It seems to prevent the multiplication of the virus.

As you can see, andrographis is an amazing herb that can have a wide range of applications in all sorts of chronic conditions that often don’t have many simple solutions.