Botanical Name : Andrographis paniculata
Sanskrit name : Bhunimba, Yavatikta
English Name : The Creat
Family : Acanthaceae

Plant Parts Used : Whole Plant

Description of Andrographis paniculata :
It grows throughout India from Assam and Himachal Pradesh to all over south India. Grows well in moist and shaded places, but it prefers sunny situations. It is cultivated all over India.

Chemical composition /key active constituents

•  Bitter diterpenoid lactones, especially deoxy-andrographolide, andrographolide and

• ncoandrographolide have been isolated from the whole plant and leaves.

• Diterpene dimers

• Flavonoids available in the roots.

• The main active constituents and marker compounds are considered to be the andrographolides and andrographis extracts are often standardized to these compounds.

Pharmacology
It increases biliary flow and liver weight in rat. Andrographolide produces a significant dose dependent choleretic effect, as evidence by increase in bile flow, bile salt and bile acids in conscious rats and anaesthetised guinea pigs.
It shows hepatoprotective action.
It improves non-specific immune response. Although both andrographis and beta glucan effective immune enhancers, Extracts of andrographis,have been shown to stimulate powerful immune responses in living creatures. The immune response may be specific directed at a microbial invader already present in the body, or generally, strengthening the immune system in preparation against future infections. Andrographis strongly stimulates phagocytosis and the production of specific antibodies.

Medicinal Uses:
Digestive: Promotes digestion
Hepatoprotective: Protects the liver and gall bladder.
Vermicidal: Kills intestinal worms & support intestine
Anti-acne: Protect skin from pimples
Analgesic: Pain killer
Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and cuts down exudation from capillaries
Antibacterial: Fights bacterial activity. Although Andrographis appears to have weak direct antibacterial action, it has remarkably beneficial effect in reducing diarrhea and symptoms arising from bacterial infections.
Expectorant: Promotes mucus discharge from the respiratory system.
Hypoglycemic: Blood sugar reducer.
Immune Enhancement.
Laxative: Aids bowel elimination
Sedative: A relaxing herb, though not with the same effect as the accepted herbal sedatives, valerian roots, hops, skullcap, etc.

Disclaimer:
The authenticity of the above information are not verified and established by us. You are requested to get it verified. The above given information are collected from various sources may be used for academic purpose.