Andrographis

Also known as: Andrographis paniculata, Kalmegh, King of Bitters, andrographolide, AP extract

Evidence under review. — Not yet rated

Herbal immune herb with clinical evidence for reducing cold symptoms and sore throat duration.

What it does

Andrographis is a bitter medicinal herb used in traditional Asian medicine, best known for its active compound andrographolide. Clinical trials show it can meaningfully reduce upper respiratory...
Evidence quality

Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
Clinical dose

180-400 mg/day based on study doses

What the Science Says

Andrographis is a bitter medicinal herb used in traditional Asian medicine, best known for its active compound andrographolide. Clinical trials show it can meaningfully reduce upper respiratory infection symptoms — like sore throat, congestion, and coughing — faster than placebo, with benefits appearing within 3 days at doses of 200–400 mg daily. It also shows anti-inflammatory effects, lowering markers like IL-6, TNF-α, and hs-CRP in people with cardiovascular inflammation.

What It Doesn't Do

Won't cure COVID-19 or prevent it from getting worse — a clinical trial showed no added benefit over standard antiviral treatment. No proven benefit for cancer treatment on its own. Not a replacement for antibiotics or antiviral drugs. The cancer research is very early-stage and not ready for clinical use.

Evidence-Based Benefits

Reduces upper respiratory infection symptoms significantly faster than placebo within 3 days.

Moderate Evidence

Effective at: 200-400 mg/day

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

PMID 36842634

Andrographis throat spray reduces sore throat and pharyngitis symptoms faster than chamomile spray.

Moderate Evidence

Effective at: Topical spray (dose not specified in mg)

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

PMID 37821383

Reduces inflammatory markers like CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in unstable angina patients when added to standard care.

Moderate Evidence

Effective at: 0.6 g/day (200 mg three times daily)

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

PMID 34532749

Lowers IL-1β levels in mild COVID-19 patients, which may help limit excessive immune responses.

Weak Evidence

Effective at: 180 mg/day

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

PMID 37625206

Absorption & Bioavailability

Poor to Moderate — andrographolide has low natural oral bioavailability due to poor solubility; animal studies show a novel self-microemulsifying delivery system (SMEDDS) can improve absorption 4.3-fold, but standard supplements use conventional extracts with limited absorption

Red Flags to Watch For

Eosinophilia (elevated white blood cells) was observed in some participants in a clinical trial, though it was not statistically significant compared to placebo
Most cancer-related research is preclinical (animal/cell studies) — do not use as a cancer treatment
Bioavailability of standard oral forms is poor; product quality and standardization vary widely across the 510+ registered supplement products
COVID-19 trial showed no clinical benefit when added to standard antiviral therapy — marketing claims around viral illness may be overstated

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Andrographis do?

Herbal immune herb with clinical evidence for reducing cold symptoms and sore throat duration.

What is the effective dose of Andrographis?

180-400 mg/day based on study doses

Is Andrographis safe?

Eosinophilia (elevated white blood cells) was observed in some participants in a clinical trial, though it was not statistically significant compared to placebo

What doesn't Andrographis do?

Won't cure COVID-19 or prevent it from getting worse — a clinical trial showed no added benefit over standard antiviral treatment.

Research Sources

PubMed
NIH DSLD

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25