Andrographis Paniculata: Benefits, Side Effects and What the Evidence Shows

Andrographis paniculata is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in Asia. In Malaysia it is hempedu bumi; elsewhere it is called king of bitters, creat or green chiretta. This guide explains what andrographis is, what human trials show, where the evidence stops, its side effects, and what to check when buying andrographis extract. There is also a Malay version of this guide.

What is Andrographis paniculata?

Andrographis is an annual herb in the Acanthaceae family, native to India and Sri Lanka and widely cultivated across South and Southeast Asia. Its leaves are intensely bitter, which gives it the name king of bitters. Common names include:

• Malaysia: hempedu bumi, hempedu tanah, akar cerita
• Indonesia: sambiloto
• China: chuan xin lian
• India: kalmegh

So hempedu bumi in English is andrographis, or king of bitters. The aerial parts (leaf and stem) are used in traditional medicine and to make extracts.

Andrographolide: the active compound

The bitterness comes from diterpene lactones, led by andrographolide, with related compounds such as neoandrographolide. Andrographolide is the marker most often measured in andrographis extract. Its level varies with plant part, harvest time and drying, so two products labelled “andrographis” can differ a lot in strength.

Andrographis benefits: what human trials show

Colds, cough and sore throat

This is the best-studied use. A meta-analysis of 33 randomised trials (7,175 patients) found that andrographis improved cough and sore throat compared with placebo, and improved overall symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections compared with placebo, usual care and other herbal treatments. It also shortened symptom duration compared with usual care. The authors rated the overall quality of the trials as poor and advise caution. [1]

Mild to moderate COVID-19

A 2026 network meta-analysis of traditional and integrative treatments found that andrographis extract probably reduced hospital admission for patients at moderate risk of hospitalisation (moderate-certainty evidence). It found no reduction for patients at low or high risk, and no effect on mortality. [2]

Ulcerative colitis

A 2024 meta-analysis of herbal treatments for active ulcerative colitis found that andrographis was not better than placebo for clinical response or remission. [3]

Blood pressure and diabetes

These uses are widely claimed online, especially in Malaysia. We found no meta-analysis of human trials that supports them. Andrographis should not replace blood-pressure or diabetes medicine.

Andrographis side effects

A safety meta-analysis of 10 randomised trials and 3 monitoring studies found serious adverse events very rare, at 0.02 per 1,000 patients. Non-serious side effects were common: 102.6 per 1,000 patients in the trials. The most frequent were gastrointestinal (such as nausea and stomach discomfort) and skin reactions (such as rash). The authors advise that users be informed and monitored, and call for larger studies of its safety. [4]

Can you take andrographis daily?

Most of the trials above studied short courses for acute infections. Long-term daily use has not been well studied, so long-term safety is not established. [1][4]

Who should be careful?

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: safety data are not sufficient, so avoid unless a doctor advises it.
• Children: ask a doctor first.
• Anyone who has had a rash or allergic reaction to andrographis.
• Anyone taking other medicines or with a chronic illness: check with a doctor or pharmacist.

Buying andrographis extract

For supplement and herbal-product manufacturers, the specification matters more than the name. Ask the supplier for:

• botanical name and plant part (Andrographis paniculata aerial parts);
• andrographolide content with its method (HPLC), not only an extraction ratio such as 10:1;
• extraction solvent and any carrier, with its percentage;
• identity test (TLC or HPLC fingerprint), heavy metals, pesticide residues and microbiology.

Andrographolide is less stable in alkaline conditions and at high temperatures, so check it in your finished product during stability testing. The extract is very bitter, so it is mostly used in capsules and coated tablets. It is sometimes formulated alongside echinacea extract in seasonal products.

FC Materials supplies Andrographis Extract 10:1 to manufacturers in Malaysia. For specification questions, WhatsApp us.

What the research says

• A meta-analysis of 33 randomised trials (7,175 patients) found improved cough, sore throat and overall respiratory-infection symptoms versus placebo; trial quality was poor. [1]
• A 2026 network meta-analysis found andrographis extract probably reduced hospital admission in moderate-risk patients with mild/moderate COVID-19. [2]
• A 2024 meta-analysis found no benefit over placebo in active ulcerative colitis. [3]
• Serious adverse events were very rare (0.02 per 1,000); non-serious events, mainly gastrointestinal and skin, were common (102.6 per 1,000). [4]

These summaries describe published research on the ingredient. They are not claims for any finished product; claims on finished products must meet the rules of the market where they are sold.

References

1. Hu XY, et al. Andrographis paniculata (Chuān Xīn Lián) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2017;12(8):e0181780. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181780
2. Li A, et al. Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine therapies for mild/moderate acute COVID-19: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Phytomedicine. 2026;161:158764. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158764
3. Iyengar P, et al. Herbal medicines for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2024;16(7):934. doi:10.3390/nu16070934
4. Worakunphanich W, et al. Safety of Andrographis paniculata: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2021;30(6):727-739. doi:10.1002/pds.5190