Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Moderate evidenceImmunity

Andrographis

Andrographis paniculata has better trial support for acute respiratory symptoms than echinacea does — consistent cough and sore-throat reductions across ~33 trials — but most studies are small, short and conducted with one proprietary combination product. Treat the effect as real but modest.

What the science says

  • Symptom relief in acute respiratory tract infection Moderate evidence

    A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis (33 RCTs, 7,175 participants) found Andrographis improved cough (standardized mean difference -0.39) and sore throat (SMD -1.13) versus placebo, usual care or other herbs, and shortened time to symptom resolution by roughly 1-2 days. The authors rated overall evidence quality low-to-moderate because of small samples, poor blinding descriptions and heavy reliance on trials from a few centres.

  • Fixed combination with Eleutherococcus (Kan Jang) Moderate evidence

    A phase III double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 179 adults with uncomplicated upper respiratory infection reported significantly greater total symptom-score improvement with the standardized combination, with effects clearest by days 2-4. Because the combination includes Eleutherococcus senticosus, these trials cannot isolate Andrographis itself.

  • Prevention of colds Limited evidence

    Only a handful of small prophylaxis trials exist, mostly in students over 1-3 months, and the pooled prevention signal is weak and imprecise. There is no basis for taking it continuously through the winter.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrials typically used 1,200-6,000 mg/day of dried herb extract, or extracts standardized to 30-60 mg/day of andrographolide, taken in 3 divided doses for 3-7 days at symptom onset. The Kan Jang combination trials used 1,020-1,200 mg/day of the fixed combination. Effects appear dose-dependent within this range; there is no evidence supporting long-term daily use.
SafetyCommon effects are bitter taste, nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue and headache. Allergic and anaphylactic reactions have been reported, particularly with injectable andrographolide derivatives used in China — those formulations carry a substantially worse adverse-event profile than oral herb preparations and are not sold as supplements in most countries. Isolated reports of hepatotoxicity and of urticaria exist. Animal data suggest possible antifertility and abortifacient effects, so avoid in pregnancy and when trying to conceive. May add to the effect of antihypertensives and anticoagulants, and theoretically opposes immunosuppressant therapy.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Swanson Vitamins, Full Spectrum® Andrographis Paniculata, 400 mg, 60 Capsules

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