Remedy · herb
Andrographis
Also: Andrographis paniculata, Chuan Xin Lian, king of bitters
A bitter herb with reasonable trial support for easing common-cold symptoms.
Evidence by condition
Each grade reflects the research for Andrographis and that condition specifically.
- BCommon cold
Reduces cold and sore-throat symptom severity and duration versus placebo across systematic reviews, though the underlying trials are of low quality.
2 citation s
- Andrographis paniculata for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis Meta-analysis 2017 · n=7,175 · PLoS One · PMID 28783743 · DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0181780
- Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials Systematic review 2004 · n=433 · Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics · PMID 14748896 · DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2710.2003.00534.x
- Andrographis paniculata for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Andrographis (“king of bitters”) has more trial support for the common cold than most herbal options, reducing symptom severity and duration — though the primary studies are small and low-quality. Avoid in pregnancy.