Kalmegh
Andrographis paniculata · 穿心莲
Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine and Modern nutrition.
Also called Andrographis, King of bitters, Green chiretta, Chuan xin lian
Pinyin: Chuān Xīn Lián
Sanskrit: कालमेघ (Kalmegha)
Rare liver and allergy reportsA very bitter herb from South Asia, used for fever and colds, and studied for upper breathing infections.
Did you know? It is nicknamed the King of Bitters, a folk name that reflects how bitter the leaves taste.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Colds, flu & immunity. Several small trials and reviews suggest andrographis may shorten colds or upper breathing infections. Quality is mixed.Early proof
- Infections. Early COVID-19 trials gave mixed results. It is not an approved treatment.Traditional proof
- Liver. Animal studies only so far.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Ayurveda uses kalmegh for fever, liver problems and worms. Chinese medicine uses chuan xin lian to clear heat and treat sore throat and colds.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Antiviral, Anti-inflammatory, Hepatic, Antimicrobial. Energy: cooling.
- Ayurveda
- Calms Pitta and Kapha. Taste (rasa): bitter. Energy (virya): heating. After digestion (vipaka): pungent. Jwaraghna (reduces fever).
- Chinese medicine
- 穿心莲 Clear heat. Nature: cold. Flavour: bitter. Enters the Lung and Large Intestine channels.
How people take it
Used as standardized extract capsules or tablets. Cold studies used it for a few days at the first sign of illness. Doses vary by brand.
Tea, capsule and tablet.
Where to get it
Grows wild in South Asia, China and Thailand. The aerial parts are dried for tea, capsules and tablets. Buy standardized extracts; labels often list andrographolides.
Be careful
Can cause stomach upset, nausea, loose stools and skin rashes. Rare liver and allergic reactions have been reported. Because it may stimulate immunity, people with autoimmune disease should ask a doctor first.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; autoimmune disease; children under 12.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Used together in some Ayurvedic fever and immune formulas.
- Works well together
Both are bitter Ayurvedic herbs for fever and liver complaints.
- Works well together
Both are used for colds and immune support in Western herbalism.
- Works well together
Both are bitter herbs used for fever in Ayurveda, so they are sometimes combined.
- Use cautionImmune-suppressing medicine (transplant drugs, some arthritis drugs)
May stimulate the immune system and could work against immune-suppressing drugs.
- Worth knowingBlood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
Few studies exist on blood thinners. Ask a clinician before combining.
The honest take
Andrographis has some small trials for colds and upper infections, but the studies are mixed and often low quality. Early COVID-19 trials did not give clear results. The lab work is strong, but the human evidence is modest.