Andrographis (also known as King of Bitters or Indian Echinacea) is a traditional herbal ingredient that is used for its digestive and immunity benefits. It has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine for thousands of years to treat everything from skin infections to diarrhoea.
Andrographis may be effective in stimulating the immune system. It is thought to have an array of beneficial properties, including:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- Antioxidant
The immune system is a complex physiological network incorporating many different elements of your system ranging from your blood cells, antibodies, tonsils, lymph glands and many more. These elements of your immune system all work together to maintain a healthy balance in the body, recognising and targeting harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, toxins (which are chemicals generated by microbes), and abnormal cells, and working to eliminate them.
There are several ways to boost your immune system, from maintaining a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables to choosing not to smoke, moderating alcohol, drinking plenty of water, cooking meat properly, getting enough sleep, washing your hands frequently, minimising stress, and being vaccinated.
Several supplements are also used to help boost the immune system. Andrographis is one of these.
Andrographis Benefits
The main benefits of Andrographis include:
- Providing relief of the symptoms of a common cold, including a fever and sore throat
- Reducing the severity & duration of cold and flu symptoms
- May help prevent infection by influenza viruses
- Helping treat sinusitis
- Supporting a healthy immune system
- Strengthening and improving the function of the digestive system
- Supporting liver function
It may also help to:
- Enhance the function of the gallbladder
- Reduce inflammation and alleviate allergies
- Promote healthier respiratory function
The average adult suffers 2-4 colds per year and the average child suffers 5-101. Andrographis may be used in place of or in conjunction with vitamin C.
