“Andrographis paniculata” is a herb that has been with Thai people for a long time. With its medicinal properties that can effectively treat diseases, Andrographis paniculata has become one of the herbs that people like to use to relieve symptoms of various diseases. It has also been processed into capsules to make it easier to consume.

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Andrographis paniculata is an herbaceous plant, about 30-60 centimeters tall, with an erect stem. The leaves are single, dark green, and shiny. It has white flowers in large clusters at the ends of branches and in the leaf axils. The fruit is a cylindrical pod with small seeds.

Andrographis paniculata has been used as a medicine to relieve symptoms of illness and treat diseases since ancient times. The part that can be used as medicine is the part above the ground.

Andrographis paniculata is currently included in the https://ufabet999.app National List of Essential Medicines for the relief of non-infectious diarrhea, such as mucus or blood in the stool, and cold symptoms, such as sore throat or muscle aches.

It can be purchased in capsule form or as a local product (OTOP) at drug stores or department stores, and people tend to use it as a substitute for common household medicine.

Benefits of Andrographis paniculata

Andrographis paniculata is a herb with many medicinal properties that can help relieve various symptoms of illness, as follows:

• Treats colds and influenza because the botanical compounds found in Andrographis paniculata, such as diterpene lactones and flavonoids, have the effect of relieving cold symptoms and stimulating the immune system.
• Treats inflammation in the body because Andrographis paniculata has properties that help inhibit the release of substances that cause inflammation in the body, fight free radicals, and blood clotting. Used to treat inflammation in the body.
• Treats symptoms of diarrhea , loose stools , and food poisoning. Andrographis paniculata helps remove toxins from the intestines, reduces irritation to the intestinal wall, and helps reduce intestinal movement, allowing the digestive system to function normally.
• Treating typhoid fever or lacunar fever: Taking Andrographis paniculata capsules 2 tablets 3 times a day before meals for 3 consecutive weeks will help destroy typhoid germs embedded in lymph node tissue or the walls of the small intestine.
• Treating Shingles Taking 2-3 capsules of Andrographis paniculata before meals, 3 times a day for 3 consecutive weeks, will help relieve shingles symptoms.
• Helps treat hemorrhoids. Take Andrographis paniculata 2-3 pills at a time before meals, 3 times a day and before going to bed. It helps reduce bleeding or pain and also improves bowel movements.

The use of Andrographis paniculata for health

How to use Andrographis paniculata to relieve or treat various symptoms, including boiling water to drink, taking capsules, and even pounding and applying as a poultice, as follows:

Treat mouth ulcers :  

Take 15 grams of mature Andrographis paniculata leaves and 15 grams of fresh pandan leaves and boil them in clean water. Leave them until boiling, then strain the water. Drink before each of the three meals (if you want to get better, drink it instead of plain water continuously).

Treat diarrhea, dysentery,  

take fresh branches and fresh leaves of Andrographis paniculata, chop into short pieces about 1 cm, 3 handfuls, boil with clean water for 15 minutes, then drink before meals 3 times a day.

To treat hair loss  ,

soak 6-7 fresh Andrographis paniculata leaves in warm water and apply to the scalp for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.

Treat fresh wounds and abscesses:

Take about 1 handful of mature Andrographis paniculata leaves, pound them finely, add a little salt, 1/2 cup of white liquor, and 1/2 teaspoon of water. Mix well, then strain and separate the pulp and apply it to the wound and abscess. Wrap it with a clean cloth and leave it for 1 night. Keep changing the pulp until the symptoms improve.

Treating colds and stuffy noses:

Take 2-3 handfuls of Andrographis paniculata leaves, wash them clean, and dry them in a shady, windy place until the leaves are dry (do not expose them to sunlight because the medicine will be lost to the heat). When the leaves are dry, grind them finely and put them in a jar. When symptoms occur, shake the jar vigorously, open the lid to inhale the smoke from the Andrographis paniculata powder, which will help improve symptoms.

Use instead of alcohol to clean wounds.

Soak Andrographis paniculata powder in 40-degree white liquor until the liquor slightly covers the powder. Close the bottle tightly and leave for 7 days. During that time, shake once a day until 7 days have passed. It can be applied to wounds to disinfect.

Precautions for using Andrographis paniculata

1. Andrographis paniculata should not be used for more than 7 consecutive days.

Andrographis paniculata is relatively safe for the body when taken in the right amounts and for the right duration. However, some people may experience some minor side effects after taking it.

Because Andrographis paniculata is quite potent, it can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and dizziness.

If you take it continuously for more than 3 days and it does not get better, you should stop taking the medicine and see a doctor immediately to diagnose the cause of the disease.

In case it is necessary to take it continuously for more than 7 days, it should be taken with ginger water to reduce the side effects mentioned above (ginger water has a hot effect, so it helps to keep the body warm).

2. Andrographis paniculata should not be used by people with low blood pressure. 

Since Andrographis paniculata has the property of lowering blood pressure, if you force yourself to use it or use it without realizing it, you may feel dizzy or feel faint or confused.

If these symptoms occur, stop using it immediately and the symptoms will gradually improve within 3-4 hours because Andrographis paniculata does not remain in the body.

3. Andrographis paniculata has a “cooling” effect, so it is suitable for patients with “hot” fevers. 

If the patient has a cold caused by the effect of “cold”, such as having a cold inside the body, having a fever without sweating, and then using Andrographis paniculata, the symptoms may become more severe than before.

4. Andrographis paniculata has severe side effects. You should observe for symptoms or abnormalities that may occur after use. 

Patients with severe allergic reactions to Andrographis paniculata may experience initial symptoms ranging from a rash, facial swelling, body swelling, difficulty breathing, and even death. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking the medication and see a doctor immediately.

5. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it. 

Because it may affect children and cause abnormalities.

Andrographis paniculata is a bitter herb that is rich in medicinal properties. When used properly, it can effectively relieve symptoms of the disease.

However, even though Andrographis paniculata has many benefits, if used incorrectly, it can also be harmful to the body. Therefore, it is important to study the precautions for use in detail to gain maximum benefit.