[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.

In this video I will share my recipe for Christmas Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread cookies! I love to make these every year for the holidays and I’m hoping that you will enjoy them just as much as I do. This dough recipe can also be made without the cranberries and pistachios, for a simple traditional shortbread cookie. Hope you like it! Vlogidays!!!!!! Vlogmas!!!

Recipe is as follows:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
Pinch of salt

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges!

Warning: Long, science-heavy video. No funny cats or guys getting hit in the nuts.

Artificial sweeteners, or as they are usually referred to in the literature “non-caloric” sweeteners or “high-intensity” sweeteners, address the problem of sugar calorie excess in our diet. They’ve been demonstrated to support weight loss or maintenance, reduce cavities and can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Much focus has been on

CSPI report: https://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm
I disagree with CSPI on about 25% of their rankings, but I appreciate that they take a very conservative stance.

Citations:
Aspartame:
1. Comp Funct Genomics. 2010. In vivo cytogenetic studies on aspartame.
2. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2004 Aug;27(3):257-68. Genotoxicity of aspartame.
3. Am J Ind Med. 2010 Dec;53(12):1197-206. Aspartame administered in feed, beginning prenatally through life span, induces cancers of the liver and lung in male Swiss mice.
4. Toxicol In Vitro. 2011 Feb;25(1):286-93. In vitro effect of aspartame in angiogenesis induction.

Sucralose:
5. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2009 Oct;55(1):1-5. An overview of the safety of sucralose.
6. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2009 Oct;55(1):6-12. Expert panel report on a study of Splenda in male rats.
7. Food Chem Toxicol. 2000;38 Suppl 2:S53-69. Acute and subchronic toxicity of sucralose.
8. Food Chem Toxicol. 2000;38 Suppl 2:S71-89. A combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study of sucralose in Sprague-Dawley rats.
9. Food Chem Toxicol. 2000;38 Suppl 2:S91-7. A carcinogenicity study of sucralose in the CD-1 mouse.

AceK:
10. Horm Metab Res. 1987 Jun;19(6):233-8. The effect of artificial sweetener on insulin secretion. 1. The effect of acesulfame K on insulin secretion in the rat (studies in vivo).
11. Food Chem Toxicol. 1997 Dec;35(12):1177-9. In vivo cytogenetic studies on mice exposed to acesulfame-K–a non-nutritive sweetener.

General reviews:
12. Ann Oncol. 2004 Oct;15(10):1460-5. Artificial sweeteners–do they bear a carcinogenic risk?
13. Yale J Biol Med. 2010 Jun;83(2):101-8. Gain weight by “going diet?” Artificial sweeteners and the neurobiology of sugar cravings
14. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1996 Mar;20 Suppl 2:S12-7. Effect of sucrose and sweeteners on appetite and energy intake.
15. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jan;89(1):1-14. Nonnutritive sweetener consumption in humans: effects on appetite and food intake and their putative mechanisms.
16. Physiol Behav. 2010 Apr 26;100(1):55-62. High-intensity sweeteners and energy balance.
17. Physiol Behav. 2009 Dec 7;98(5):618-24. Effect of moderate intake of sweeteners on metabolic health in the rat.
18. Food Addit Contam. 2006 Apr;23(4):327-38. The intake of intense sweeteners – an update review.