Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae): Benefits, Uses, Contraindications, and Is It the Same as Aptenia cordifolia?

When it comes to Andrographis paniculata, some people may not be very familiar with it. It is mainly produced in the Fujian and Guangdong regions, belongs to the herbaceous plants, and Andrographis paniculata has many benefits and values, which is why it has also been applied in medicine. So what are the benefits and uses of Andrographis paniculata? Is it the same plant as Aptenia cordifolia?

I. Andrographis paniculata

1. Introduction

Andrographis paniculata is an annual herbaceous plant of the Acanthaceae family, also known as Chuanlian Qiuliu, Yijianxi, Lanhe Lian, Kudan Cao, Jinxiang Cao, Jin'er Gou, Yindu Cao, Kucao, and others; it is native to India, and is cultivated in China in Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places; the stems and leaves are harvested when they are lush in early autumn, and dried in the sun.

2. Morphological characteristics

The Andrographis paniculata plant is upright and multi-branched, with branches of a square shape and obvious angles; the leaves are opposite, lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate, about 2 to 8 cm long and 5 to 25 mm wide; it blooms in summer and autumn, with white or light purple flowers arranged in terminal or axillary racemes; the capsule is linear-oblong, flat, about 1.5 cm long; the odor is slight and the taste is extremely bitter -- hence the name Chuanxin Lian (piercing-heart lotus).

II. Benefits and uses of Andrographis paniculata

According to modern medical research, the roots and leaves of Andrographis paniculata contain different components, as shown in the table below:

Andrographis paniculata is cold in nature and bitter in taste, and enters the heart and lung meridians. It is a food that is also used as medicine. It is understood that Andrographis paniculata has the following four major benefits and uses:

1. Benefit one: clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain

According to traditional Chinese medicine records, Andrographis paniculata is bitter in taste, cold in nature, and enters the heart, lung, large intestine, and bladder meridians. It has the benefits of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain, and is used for acute bacillary dysentery, gastroenteritis, cold and fever, influenza, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, lung abscess and other diseases.

2. Benefit two: reducing inflammation and detoxifying

Andrographis paniculata has a very good anti-inflammatory effect. It has been clinically applied to a variety of infectious diseases, including trauma infection, boils, carbuncles, erysipelas, upper respiratory tract infection, acute and chronic tonsillitis, acute and chronic pharyngitis, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute bacillary dysentery, acute gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, otitis media, periodontitis, etc., all with varying degrees of therapeutic effect.

3. Benefit three: antibacterial

Andrographis paniculata is rich in neoandrographolide, and clinical tests have shown that this substance is very helpful for the treatment of bacillary dysentery.

4. Benefit four: treating venomous snake bites

Andrographis paniculata has a certain therapeutic effect on venomous snake bites. Many Indians choose to use it to detoxify after being bitten by a snake. Fresh Andrographis paniculata is pounded and mixed with the tobacco oil from a dry tobacco pipe and applied externally to the wound, and separately 3 to 5 qian of fresh Andrographis paniculata leaves are decocted in water for oral administration.

Note: (Remember that using Andrographis paniculata to treat illness must follow medical advice; this article is for sharing and reference only)

III. Usage, dosage and contraindications of Andrographis paniculata

1. Usage and dosage of Andrographis paniculata

(1) Oral administration: decocted in water, 9-15 g, a single large dose can be up to 30-60 g;

(2) Ground into powder: 0.6-3 g each time, taken in capsules or with boiled water;

(3) External use: an appropriate amount, pounded into a paste or made into an ointment and applied to the affected area, or decocted in water and dropped into the eyes or ears.

2. Dietary contraindications of Andrographis paniculata

(1) Andrographis paniculata should not be taken in large amounts or over a long period;

(2) Those with yang deficiency syndrome and weak spleen and stomach should take Andrographis paniculata with caution;

(3) Oral administration of larger doses of Andrographis paniculata and its various preparations can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and loss of appetite. Clinical use should pay attention to the dosage, and symptomatic treatment should be given promptly if adverse reactions occur.

IV. Are Andrographis paniculata and Aptenia cordifolia the same plant?

Andrographis paniculata and Aptenia cordifolia are not the same plant. Aptenia cordifolia is also what everyone usually eats as the “vegetable Andrographis paniculata.” Aptenia cordifolia, also known as heartleaf ice plant, dew plant, flowering vine grass, sun rose, lamb's horns hanging orchid, cherry blossom hanging orchid, etc., is a perennial evergreen trailing succulent plant of the Aizoaceae family. For many years it has been cultivated as an ornamental flower, and only in the past two years has it begun to be eaten. The tender stems and leaves of Aptenia cordifolia are edible, but it cannot be used as the medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata.

Conclusion: Through the introduction in this article, I believe everyone has gained an understanding of the medicinal value of Andrographis paniculata. There are also many Andrographis paniculata preparations on the market. Everyone must consult a doctor's advice before taking them. Secondly, everyone should note that what can be eaten directly as a vegetable is Aptenia cordifolia, not the medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata.