Andrographis
Andrographis paniculata
1:4 Ethanol/Distilled H2O Spagyric tincture of Andrographis aerial parts - with salt principle added.
Planetary Ruler: Mars
Physical Properties*:
Known as the king of bitters, this plant is very cooling but not moistening – it is considered a ‘draining astringent’, denoting usefulness where there is excess fluid build-up such as edema, mucous build-up, phlegm from toxins or illness, and it is particularly effective at preventing and reducing hayfever symptoms for certain individuals. Some things that Andrographis is considered curative for include: Viral and respiratory infections, fever, coughs, laryngitis, tonsilitis, pneumonia, chickenpox, ear infections, mumps, staph infections, tuberculosis, hepatitis, herpes, jaundice, encephalitis, meningitis, malaria, and it can potentially down-regulate HIV. This plant has been proven to increase T-Cell count 26-47%, showing the ability to counter breast, stomach and prostate cancer, neoplasms, tumors, hytidaform moles, choriocarcinoma and leukemia. It has been used to treat pelvis infections, cervical ectropion, and vaginitis. In the heart it eases hypertension and relaxes smooth muscles. This herb has potent action in the digestive system, improving the function of the liver and gallbladder, it also aids digestion, increases appetite, heals ulcers, and may be curative for diarrhea. If you are not hungry, have some Andrographis, then you will be. It is also a valuable ally for those who feel weak generally or are in a period of convalescence. It has been found to inhibit pregnancy/reduce fertility. In human males an anti-spermatogenic effect has been observed after dosing for more than 60 days, though in another human trial no reduction in fertility was observed. In one animal study it caused a reduced sperm production in male rats dosing at a human equivalent of 3g per day, whilst in another dosing at equivalents of 1.4, 14 and 60grams a day showed no reduction in fertility. It is suggested that any anti-fertility effects could be reversed or ameliorated with Progesterone and LHRH, which can be enabled by supplementing with Chaste Berry, Black Cohosh, Tribulus terrestris, manganese, nettle root, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. Noting that for most men, use of this plant for brief periods of 1-2 weeks will likely be acceptable in terms of fertility.
*Before purchase please see full disclaimer at bottom of page - statements and products not approved by TGA.
Emotional/Spiritual Properties*:
Andrographis is a herb that musters one’s self. There is a healthy level of individualism, identity and ego that we can hold and maintain in this life, by coalescing our ‘self’ like so, we can walk through this world with greater freedom and discernment. By having a refined and strengthened sense of self, -as transient as that may be from moment to moment- we can from there make decisions that optimize our existence. This process can become an ascending spiral, it has a momentum unto it’s own… when we choose ‘things’ or ‘ways’ that align strongly with our nature and fundamental truth, this bolsters our physical being, and anchors our soul therein, our capacity to sense, feel and know for ourselves is increased and thus we make choices that are even more aligned with who we are…and so on and so forth!
With that said, there are times when people become overly controlling or rigid in their interactions with all of life, and this usually occours when their sense of self has been eroded to a point of timidness, anxiety, worry, fear or paranoia. These people are attempting to control their outer reality because there is something inside them that is untethered, a rampant set of truth-denying thought-forms. Andrographis seizes those thought forms where they are, and drains them for all their excess emotions to find the truth beneath it all. What has the trauma shown you about your reality? If this certain part of you or your reality is truly ‘not right’ (no longer worth allowing to continue), how are you going to change it? This plant will look at you and ask, who are you? What do you want? And what do you need to change to make that happen? The existence of all of existence is based on a flow of energy and matter… Andrographis pairs down all the parts of our psyche that do not align deeply and truly with that most benevolent and righteous flow.
Recommended dose: 8-12 drops 1-3 times per day (generally before 8pm).
Cautions/Condtraindications:
-Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet drugs (medicines that slow blood clotting): Andrographis may slow blood clotting, in conjunction with antiplatelet drugs the chances of severe bleeding or bruising may be increased. Some antiplatelet medications include: clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
-Medications for high blood pressure: Andrographis may lower blood pressure, taking it in combinations with medications designed to lower blood pressure may cause blood pressure to drop too low. Some of these medications include: Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
-Immunosuppresants: Andrographis increases immune system activity and strength, this will be contrary to the following immunosuppressant medications: Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.
