Herb Profile
Andrographis Paniculata
Andrographis paniculata
Andrographis Paniculata (Andrographis paniculata) carries a Grade C rating — limited evidence.
Last reviewed: •3 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited
Use extra caution — Immune modulating activity is plausible; use caution with autoimmune disease, transplant medicines, or immunosuppressants. Details
- Evidence
- Limited Evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- High caution
- Best for
- Respiratory, Inflammatory signaling
- Avoid / review if
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Without Clinician Supervision, Known Allergy To The Plant/Family, Potential Interaction Concern With Immunosuppressants
Safety
Safety & Cautions
Immune modulating activity is plausible; use caution with autoimmune disease, transplant medicines, or immunosuppressants.
High caution
Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.
- Interaction-AwareMedication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding CautionPregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Without Clinician Supervision
- Known Allergy To The Plant/Family
- Potential Interaction Concern With Immunosuppressants
- Use Clinician Review For High Dose Extracts Or Chronic Use.
Safety classifications
- Interaction-Aware: Medication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution: Pregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Full safety note
- Immune modulating activity is plausible; use caution with autoimmune disease, transplant medicines, or immunosuppressants.
Safety labels
- Interaction-Aware
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution
Evidence
Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.
LimitedLimited Evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Inflammatory Signaling Modulation · Immune Signaling Modulation · NF KB Modulation
Research maturity: Emerging research — Long Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Immune modulating activity is plausible; use caution with autoimmune disease, transplant medicines, or immunosuppressants.
This profile cites 3 human studies.
Study design details
Evidence Grade
Grade C: Limited Evidence
Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.
- Design Match
- Meta-analysis
- Risk of Bias
- Low
- Consistency
- Consistent
Strongest recorded design is a meta-analysis, drawn from 7 recorded studies, 4 in people. No disagreement is recorded across them.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (10)4 human evidence sources · 2 human trials · ~60 participants across 1 human evidence source with reported N · Consistency not yet classifiable
Filter by study class
Showing 10 of 10 studies.
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 10 structured sources, including 4 human evidence sources; 2 are human trials. Across 1 human evidence source with a reported sample size, the approximate participant total is 60; overlapping publications may include some of the same people.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | Pooled evidence did not show consistent clinically important improvement across fever, cough, CRP, or IL-6 outcomes. | PubMed → |
Background | Systematic review Uses a predefined method to find and evaluate relevant studies, but may or may not pool their results statistically. | — | — | — | — | — | Within the broader herbal evidence base, Andrographis did not show a clearly significant clinical response/remission signal. | PubMed → |
Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata spray in acute pharyngitis: A randomized controlled trial Okonogi R et al. · Drug Discov Ther · 2023 Background | Randomized controlled trial Randomly assigns participants to interventions or controls, reducing many sources of bias when the trial is conducted well. | n=60 | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Background | Randomized controlled trial Randomly assigns participants to interventions or controls, reducing many sources of bias when the trial is conducted well. | — | — | — | — | — | No meaningful difference in disease progression versus placebo; only limited symptom-specific differences were reported. | PubMed → |
Zeng B et al. · Phytother Res · 2022 Background | Narrative review Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Dai Y et al. · Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr · 2019 Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Show 4 more studies
Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | — | Source → |
TGA: Andrographis and anaphylaxis — updated safety review and supplementary report Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | — | Source → |
Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | Adds human pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and tolerability data for a standardized Andrographis preparation. | PubMed → |
Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | Human exposure was non-linear at high oral doses, adding important dose-context information. | PubMed → |
Dosing & Timing
- No standardized dose
- Preparation specific; use standardized product label for Preparation varies by tradition and product form and require source backed dosage review before therapeutic claims.
How Andrographis Paniculata works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Andrographis Paniculata Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
- Inflammatory Signaling Modulation
- Immune Signaling Modulation
- NF KB Modulation
Active Compounds
Key constituents studied in Andrographis Paniculata, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.
Compare related active botanicals
Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Sourcing options
Andrographis product picks
Recommendation status
Product recommendations are not shown for this profile because the current site safety and monetization policy does not permit them.
Product form & quality guidelines
When sourcing Andrographis Paniculata, verify the label for:
- Standardized extract: Confirm active content percentages on the supplement facts panel (e.g. standardized to specific marker compounds) rather than simple raw herb weights.
- Third-party testing: Look for independent purity labels (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab, or Eurofins) to ensure the product is free from heavy metals, solvents, and contaminants.
- Form bioavailability: Ensure the form matches evidence-supported configurations (e.g. standardized active extracts like bacosides, withanolides, or curcuminoids) for optimal onset and digestion tolerance.
Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Founder & Head Researcher · Oak Ridge, TN · Last reviewed August 2026
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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