Andrographis paniculata Nees

Andrographis paniculata Nees

A. vasaka

Local name: Kalmegh, Green chirayta

Family:  Acanthaceae

Habitat: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia

Plant type: Herb

Plant parts used: Leaves, Entire aerial part

                                               

Chemical constituents:

Leaves contain_

                                                                  i.            Homoandrographolide

                                                                ii.            Andrographosterol

                                                              iii.            Andrographane

                                                             iv.            Andrographone                                              

Root contains_

                                                                  i.            Andrographin

                                                                ii.            Dihydroxy-dimethoxyflavone

                                                              iii.            5-hydroxy tetramethoxyflavone

                                                              iv.            Panicolin

Medicinal and Traditional Uses:

       i.            Used traditionally in cholera, diabetes, swelling, itches, consumption, piles, gonerrhea, bronchitis, dysentry, dyspepsia, fever and in weakness.

     ii.            Used as a blood purifier

  iii.            Used in various liver disorders like jaundice, torbid liver and febrifuge.

Reported Activity: 

          Anthelmintic, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Anticancer.