[Latin Name] Andrographis paniculata(Burm.f.)Nees

[Plant Source] Whole herb

[Specification] Andrographolides 10%-98% HPLC

[Appearance] White powder

Plant Part Used: Herb

[Particle size] 80Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

[What is Andrographis?]

Andrographis paniculata is a bitter tasting annual plant, referred to as the “King of Bitters.” It has white-purple flowers and it is native to Asia and India where it has been valued for centuries for its numerous medicinal benefits. Over the past decade, andrographis has become popular in America where it is often used alone and in combination with other herbs for a variety of health purposes.

[How does it work?]

According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the active ingredient in andrographis is andrographolides. Due to the andrographolides, andrographis has potent anti-inflammatory and antimalarial properties. It also has antimicrobial properties, meaning it can help to fight off and prevent infections from harmful microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. In addition, andrographis is a powerful antioxidant and it can help to prevent free radical induced damage to your cells and DNA

[Function]

Cold and Flu

Scientists have discovered that andrographis helps to boost the immune system by stimulating the body’s production of antibodies and macrophages, which are large white blood cells that scavenge harmful microorganisms. It is taken for both the prevention and treatment of the common cold, and it is often referred to as Indian echinacea. It might help lessen the severity of cold symptoms such as sleeplessness, fever, nasal drainage and sore throat.

Cancer, Viral Infections and Heart Health

Andrographis may also help to prevent and treat cancer, and preliminary studies done in test tubes found that extracts of andrographis help to treat stomach, skin, prostate and breast cancer. Due to the herb’s antiviral properties, andrographis is used to treat herpes and it is also currently being studied as a treatment for Aids and HIV as well. Andrographis also promotes heart health and can help to prevent the formation of blood clots as well as to dissolve already formed blood clots. In addition, the herb relaxes smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels and thereby helps to reduce high blood pressure.

Additional Benefits

Andrographis is used to promote gallbladder and digestive health. It also helps to support and strengthen the liver and it is used in combination with other herbs in several Ayurvedic formulations to treat liver disorders. Finally, andrographis extracts taken orally have been found to help neutralize the poisonous effects of snake venom.

Dosage and Precautions

The therapeutic dose of andrographis is 400 mg, twice daily, for up to 10 days. Although andrographis is considered safe in humans, the NYU Langone Medical Center warns that animal studies suggest that it may impair fertility. Andrographis may cause unwanted side effects such as headaches, fatigue, allergic reactions, nausea, diarrhea, altered taste and pain in the lymph nodes. It may also interact with certain medications and as with any supplement you should consult your health care practitioner before taking the herb.

Garlic (Allium sativum)
What it’s good for: The pungent and popular bulb is particularly heart-friendly: In several studies, patients with atherosclerosis who took garlic signi-ficantly reduced the plaque in their arteries, says Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the Austin, Texas-based American Botanical Council. “Garlic slightly lowers LDL, or bad cholesterol, and raises HDL, the good type,” he explains. “It also lowers blood pressure and reduces the potential for a stroke, because less plaque means there’s less possibility that pieces will break off from the artery walls and lodge in the brain or heart.”

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
What it’s good for: As a natural anti- nausea remedy, this flavorful root has few equals. Most of the research shows it to be effective against morning sickness and post-chemotherapy nausea, and in several studies it fared even better than Dramamine in preventing motion sickness.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
What it’s good for: Studies show that oregano oil works to fight infections, thanks to two powerful compounds in the plant, thymol and carvacrol. “Oregano can be helpful for traveler’s diarrhea and giardiasisis,” says David Bunting, director of botanical and regulatory affairs at Herb Pharm in Williams, Oregon, “but it’s used primarily for upper respiratory infections. It’s best for short-term, low-grade problems like coughs and colds, but if you don’t feel better after several days, or you develop a high fever, you should definitely see a physician, who may need to prescribe antibiotics.”
Best form and dosage: Oregano essential oil, the most therapeutic form of oregano, is so powerful it can burn your mouth if taken inappropriately, says Glen Nagel, a naturopath and associate professor of botan- ical medicine at Bastyr University, in Seattle. So you’re better off with a product like Herb Pharm’s Oregano Spirits, which combines the essential oil with a liquid extract of oregano.

Sage (Salvia officinalis)
What it’s good for: Sage has long been thought of in traditional herbal medicine as a brain booster wisely, it turns out, since research is adding credibility to this age-old use. In a small British study of healthy adults, participants who took Spanish sage oil capsules consistently performed better on a word-recall test than those in a control group.

Best form and dosage: Alzheimer’s patients should take 30 drops of the liquid extract two to three times a day, Bunting says, as can a healthy person who’s just looking to stay sharp. For sore throats, try some sage tea or gargle with a very diluted solution of the liquid (10 to 20 drops) dissolved in a cup of warm water.
Caveats: In normal doses and in food, there’s no risk. But if you use it long term in amounts much higher than the recommended doses, it can bring on seizures.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
What it’s good for: You’d be hard-pressed to find a better stomach-calming herb than peppermint (hence after-dinner mints). “It’s really good for any kind of digestive upset,” says Bunting. And peppermint oil, which comes in enteric-coated capsules, is one of the most effective natural treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
What it’s good for: This staple of Indian cooking is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Some studies suggests it works to ease the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also help with other inflammatory conditions, such as tendinitis, and it may even protect your heart, given what we now know about the role of inflammation in heart disease.

Christian G. Krueger – CEO of Complete Phytochemical Solutions discusses soluble and insoluble proanthocyanidins (PAC) in relation to their role in gut health. Proanthocyanidins have been shown to improve intestinal barrier function, modulate immune function and inhibit extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli from invading gut epithelial cells.

This video is part of the Cranberry Beyond UTI playlist, hosted by celebrity news anchor Jennifer Ward of the Ward Wellness Report, and brought to you by Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals with it’s line of unparalleled cranberry products and ingredients, Cran Naturelle & Cran d’Or. Visit Crannaturelle.ca for more information.