Even though it tastes really disgusting (hence it’s nickname “King of Bitters”), Andrographis Paniculata is one of my favorite medicinal plants. It has a huge array of scientifically-backed health benefits. Traditionally, these benefits were so important that Andrographis Paniculata is often used for the festival of Diwali in India to decorate homes.
Andrographis Paniculata also happens to be a very resilient plant. It can thrive in a variety of conditions and climates – which in turn means most Andrographis Paniculata supplements are actually affordable.
You definitely don’t want to buy just any Andrographis Paniculata supplement though. While growing conditions might not matter as much as with other medicinal plants, the supplement form definitely does. Here are my picks for the best Andrographis Paniculata supplements and how to choose the right one.
Quick Answer:
The key compounds in Andrographis Paniculata aren’t absorbed in the digestive tract very well and doesn’t dissolve in glycerine. Because of this, it is best to take Andrographis Paniculata as an alcohol tincture. The tincture by Herb Pharm is good quality. If you can’t stand the taste of Andrographis Paniculata tinctures, then choose a standardized powder extract like the one by Carlyle or NOW. Take Andrographis Paniculata with fat to increase absorption.
Health Benefits of Andrographis Paniculata
Traditionally, Andrographis Paniculata has been used to treat dozens of diseases and ailments. Modern research has backed up many of these health benefits, especially the ones below.
1. Boosts Immune Function
One of the most celebrated properties of Andrographis Paniculata is its ability to supercharge the immune system. Packed with potent bioactive compounds like andrographolides, this herb has been shown to stimulate the production of white blood cells, which play a pivotal role in defending the body against harmful pathogens. By fortifying your immune system, Andrographis Paniculata can help ward off common infections and keep you feeling vibrant and healthy.
2. Fights Inflammation
Inflammation lies at the root of numerous chronic diseases, ranging from arthritis to heart disease. Andrographis Paniculata possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help tame inflammation throughout the body. Studies have shown that its bioactive compounds inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory markers, providing relief and reducing the risk of chronic inflammation-related ailments.
3. Supports Respiratory Health
Are you tired of constantly battling respiratory infections? Andrographis Paniculata has long been used in traditional medicine systems for its ability to promote healthy lung function. It can help alleviate symptoms of respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and even the common cold. By reducing inflammation in the respiratory tract and supporting mucus clearance, Andrographis Paniculata can keep your airways clear and enhance your breathing.
4. Liver Protection
In our modern world, the liver faces an onslaught of toxins from our environment and diet. Andrographis Paniculata comes to the rescue once again by offering powerful liver protection. Its antioxidant properties shield the liver from oxidative stress, while its detoxifying effects help support the body’s natural cleansing processes. By supporting liver health, this herb plays a vital role in overall wellness and longevity.
5. Boosts Mental Well-being
In addition to its physical health benefits, Andrographis Paniculata also exhibits remarkable effects on mental well-being. Studies have found that this herb can enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and even reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. By modulating neurotransmitters and reducing oxidative stress in the brain, Andrographis Paniculata helps you maintain a sharp mind and a positive mood. Also see these adaptogen plants which are good for mental health.
Types of Andrographis Paniculata Supplements
1. Alcohol Tinctures (Recommended)
Alcohol extracts are the best type of Andrographis Paniculata supplement for most people. All of the main health-promoting compounds in the plant are soluble in alcohol. You end up getting a very potent tincture, so don’t have to take a lot of the tincture to get benefits.
On top of this, alcohol tinctures have a long shelf life. The compounds are also more stable in alcohol for longer periods of time, especially in warmer temperatures.
2. Powdered Supplements and Extracts (Not Recommended)
The most common type of Andrographis Paniculata supplement you’ll find is powders. These are made by grinding dried plant matter into a fine powder. The powder is often put into a capsule so it is easier to consume. These supplements tend to be the cheapest. Sometimes the powders are further processed into “extracts” to increase potency and improve absorption.
There are two main problems with Andrographis Paniculata powders and extracts. The first is that the digestive tract doesn’t absorb compounds from the plant very well. You need to take a higher amount of the supplement to get the same benefits.
The second problem is that potency can vary drastically. You have no idea how much active compound you are getting.
3. Standardized Extracts (Recommended)
Standardized Andrographis Paniculata extracts have gone through testing to ensure that a set, consistent amount of andrographolide compounds are present. You know exactly how much active ingredient you are getting.
The only real downside to standardized extracts is that they tend to be more expensive. However, in my opinion, it is worth it to pay more for a supplement which you actually know is potent.
4. Oil Extracts (Recommended, but Only If You Can Get It Fresh)
If you are lucky enough to live somewhere that Andrographis Paniculata grows, then you can make your own supplements by soaking the dried leaves in oil and then straining. Because the andrographolides compounds in Andrographis Paniculata are fat-soluble, you end up with a very potent liquid extract.
Unfortunately though, oil extracts have a very short shelf life. The health-promoting compounds quickly deteriorate in the oil. Because of this, Andrographis Paniculata oil extracts are usually NOT a good option to buy.
5. Glycerine Extract (Not Recommended)
The andrographolides in Andrographis Paniculata do NOT dissolve in glycerine. Some of the other health-promoting compounds in the plant are dissolved in glycerine (such as the diterpenes and flavonoids). However, since andrographolides are mostly responsible for the unique health benefits of King of Bitters, you want to avoid glycerine extracts for this herbal plant.
How to Take Andrographis Paniculata
You can take Andrographis Paniculata supplements as a tincture, powder or liquid extract. While there is no established dosage for the plant, these dosages are common:
- Tincture: 2-4mL per day (approx.. 40 to 80 drops), taken 2-3 times per day
- Powder: 300-500mg per day, taken 2-3 times per day
- Liquid Extract: 1-2mL per day, taken 2-3 times per day
Increase Bioavailability of Andrographis Paniculata
Bioavailability refers to how much active substance is absorbed into the body. To increase the bioavailability of Andrographis Paniculata, you will want to take it with:
- Fat: The Andrographolides in King of Bitters are fat-soluble. By taking the supplement with some fat, you can increase absorption in the digestive tract.
- Black Pepper: Like with turmeric, there is some evidence that the piperine in black pepper increases the bioavailability of andrographolides.
Best Andrographis Paniculata Supplements
For best results, choose either a Andrographis Paniculata alcohol tincture or standardized extract. The alcohol tincture form is usually more potent and affordable per dose. However, alcohol tinctures can taste very bad, so you may prefer to take a standardized extract in a capsule form.
1. Herb Pharm Andrographis Liquid Extract
This is a very high-quality alcohol tincture and from a reputable brand. The bottle is fairly pricy but it is actually cheap when you consider how many servings are in one bottle.
Specs:
- Alcohol tincture
- 168 servings per bottle
- Certified organic
- Tested for potency with HPTLC analysis
- Buy Here
2. Carlyle Andrographis Paniculata Capsules
Specs:
- Standardized extract
- 120 capsules per bottle
- 400mg extract per capsule
- Standardized to 40mg Andrographolides per capsule
- Gelatin capsule
- Buy here
3. NOW Andrographis Extract
The standardized Andrographis Paniculata extract by NOW is very similar to the one by Carlyle above. The main difference is that the NOW one is veg-friendly. It doesn’t have as many capsules per container though. Depending on the current price, one may be a better deal per serving than the other.
Specs:
- Standardized extract
- 90 capsules per bottle
- 400mg per capsule
- Standardized to 10% andrographolides (40mg) per capsule
- Vegan capsule
- Buy here
4. Banyan Botanicals Immune Strong
The Ayurvedic supplement brand Banyan Botanicals makes an Andrographis Paniculata tincture that also contains numerous other immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory herbs. The formulation is great, but do note that there aren’t many servings per bottle since so many herbs are packed into it.
Specs:
- Alcohol tincture
- 15 servings per 30ml bottle
- Also contains turmeric, licorice, holy basil, amalaki, Echinacea, ashwagandha, ginger and pippali fruit
- Certified organic
- Buy here Top of Form
Sources:
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https://www.proquest.com/openview/ac24b326e9c4c362e7353629ffd1aae9/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=506329,
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/13880209.2011.641021,
https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:rjpt&volume=10&issue=5&article=001,
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/67c7/6e83ccf7a176a765dc05307ac748bddc01b9.pdf,
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/fcp.12757,
https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:rjppd&volume=10&issue=4&article=005
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