Andrographis for Immunity

Asian herb andrographis seems to be effective at boosting immunity and warding off cold & flu infections.

• Immunostimulatory activities. Andrographis boosts immune system activity.
• Antiviral and antibacterial protection. Andrographis has been shown to fight off bacterial and viral infections, including the cold and flu.

Overview

Andrographis paniculata, also known as kalmegh in Ayurvedic medicine, is a flowering plant native to India and Sri Lanka. The leaves and stems of andrographis have been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Some of its traditional uses include helping with diabetes, dysentery, flu & cold infections, bronchitis, and digestive issues.

Clinical research confirms that andrographis has a number of beneficial properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunostimulatory activities. Today andrographis is particularly popular in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries for fighting off cold & flu infections.

How Andrographis Might Help With Immunity

The precise mechanisms behind the immunity benefits of andrographis are not yet known. However, researchers propose several effects:

Immunostimulatory activities

Andrographis has been shown to stimulate the immune system, resulting in effects such as: ¹

• Increased macrophage & natural killer cell activity
• Enhanced production of antigens to counter harmful microbes
• Improved phagocytosis

Antiviral activity

Andrographolide, the main active ingredient of andrographis, has been shown to disrupt viruses by interfering with their replication. ²

Andrographis Uses & Benefits for Immunity

Andrographis supplements are used to support overall immune function, which includes fighting off colds, influenza, and other acute respiratory infections. There is significant amount of research evidence to back these uses, so much so that andrographis extracts have become a common method for protecting against cold and flu infections in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. ³

Research

Animal & Petri Dish Research

Animal and cell culture studies demonstrate that andrographis may possess:

• Antiviral properties. Andrographis has been shown to fight off multiple viruses, including those that cause colds and herpes (type 1). ⁶
• Antimicrobial properties. Cell culture studies demonstrate that andrographis has potent antibacterial and antifungal activity that is comparable to antibiotics.⁷
• Anti-inflammatory activity. Andrographis was able to inhibit induced inflammation in mice. ⁸

Human Research

Clinical trials of andrographis as an immunity booster report overwhelmingly positive results.

Andrographis extract (1200 mg) may help with cold infections

This randomized, double blind placebo study tested the use of andrographis extract for cold infections. A total of 158 adults suffering from a cold were given placebo or Andrographis extract (1200 mg) daily for 5 days. The andrographis treatment significantly improved all cold symptoms compared to placebo.

• The researchers concluded that “…Andrographis paniculata had a high degree of effectiveness in reducing the prevalence and intensity of the symptoms in uncomplicated common cold…”⁹

Andrographis might help with inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as arthritis

This randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study tested the anti-inflammatory and autoimmunity benefits of andrographis. Sixty people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were given placebo or Andrographis extract daily for 14 weeks. The treated group  saw a decrease in joint pain, tender joints, number of swollen joints, and other related parameters.

• The researchers concluded that “A. paniculata could be a useful “natural complement” in the treatment of AR…“¹⁰

Andrographis extract seems to improve upper respiratory infections

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested the use of andrographis for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Two hundred and twenty-three people with URTIs were given placebo or an Andrographis extract (KalmCold, 200 mg) daily for 5 days. The extract treatment resulted in a significantly better improvement of symptoms, and was deemed 2.1 times as effective as placebo.

• The researchers concluded that “…KalmCold was effective in reducing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection.”¹¹

Andrographis seems to help with pharyngotonsillitis infection

This randomized, double-blind study examined the use of andrographis for pharyngotonsillitis, a throat infection. One hundred and fifty-two adults with the condition were given a standard medication (paracetamol) or 3 g or 6 g Andrographis paniculata daily for a week. The high dose (6 g) group had similar relief of fever and sore throat as the paracetamol group.

• The researchers concluded that “The efficacy of paracetamol or high dose Andrographis paniculata was significantly more than that of low dose Andrographis paniculata at day 3 in terms of the relief of fever and sore throat. The clinical effects were not different at day 7.”¹²

Andrographis extract may help with acute upper respiratory tract infections

This double blind, placebo-controlled study analyzed the use of andrographis for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). A total of 185 people were given placebo or andrographis extract (Kan Jang) for 5 days. The andrographis group saw significant improvement of URTI symptoms, including headaches, temperature, cough, muscle aches, throat, eye, and nasal issues.

• The researchers concluded that “…Kan Jang has a positive effect in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections and also relieves the inflammatory symptoms of sinusitis.”¹³

Dosage for Immunity

• There is no recommended andrographis dosage in clinical trials
• Andrographis supplements supply doses ranging from 200 – 400 mg extract taken 1-2 times daily
• Extracts are usually standardized to contain 10% andrographolides
• Andrographis is frequently combined with other immune-boosting ingredients such as eleuthero and olive leaf