Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata): what systematic reviews found for cough and sore throat, reports of allergic reactions, and what the sources we read do not say.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
What is Andrographis good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Short-term relief of cough and sore throat (acute respiratory infections)
Preliminary or mixedA 2017 review of 33 trials found andrographis improved cough and sore throat compared with placebo. The authors called the trial quality poor, so the result is promising but not firm.
Supplements: Trials were mostly of commercial products that seldom reported manufacturing or quality-control details, and many were mixtures, so results may not carry over to other products.
Shorter time to symptom resolution
Preliminary or mixedThe same review reported that andrographis, alone or added to usual care, shortened the duration of cough, sore throat and sick leave versus usual care.
Supplements: Interpreted cautiously by the authors because of poor study quality and differences between trials.
Possible reduction in antibiotic use
Not enough evidenceIt is not known whether andrographis reduces antibiotic use. The review authors said well-designed trials are needed to find out.
Supplements: No evidence to rely on.
Traditional use for cough, cold and influenza
Not enough evidenceAndrographis (Chuan Xin Lian) has traditionally been used in Indian and Chinese herbal medicine for cough, cold and influenza. Tradition is not proof of benefit.
Supplements: Tradition alone does not show a supplement works.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (2)
- Seasonal WellnessPreliminary or mixed
The main research question is short-term relief of cough and sore throat during colds. The 2017 review found a benefit but called the evidence limited by poor quality.
- Immune SupportPreliminary or mixed
Trials suggest oral andrographis may ease symptoms of acute respiratory infections, but trial quality was poor. It has not been shown to strengthen immunity in healthy people.
Body systems (4)
- Respiratory HealthPreliminary or mixed
Studied for cough and sore throat in acute respiratory infections; promising but limited evidence.
- Respiratory SystemPreliminary or mixed
Studied for cough and sore throat in acute respiratory infections; promising but limited evidence.
- Immune SupportPreliminary or mixed
Used for symptoms of infections; no source we read shows it changes immune function in healthy people.
- Immune SystemPreliminary or mixed
Allergic reactions have also been reported, so the immune system link runs both ways: possible symptom relief and a documented hypersensitivity risk.
Functional actions (1)
- Respiratory SupportPreliminary or mixed
Oral andrographis improved cough and sore throat versus placebo in a review of 33 trials of poor overall quality.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with andrographis products, and injectable derivatives caused life-threatening anaphylaxis. Tell a clinician if you take it.
Conditions & symptoms (4)
- Acute Upper Respiratory InfectionPreliminary or mixed
The review covered acute respiratory tract infections; overall symptoms and time to resolution improved, with cautious interpretation.
- AnaphylaxisDocumented risk
Anaphylactic shock and reactions were reported with andrographis products in Thailand, and with injectable derivatives.
- Sore ThroatPreliminary or mixed
Sore throat improved versus placebo in the 2017 review (poor-quality trials).
- Common ColdPreliminary or mixed
Traditionally used for colds; trials in acute respiratory infections suggest symptom relief but quality was poor.
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. A review of Thailand's national safety reports found 13 qualifying hypersensitivity reports, including anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic reaction and angioedema. Symptoms began 5 minutes to 1 day after use. Seek emergency care for facial or throat swelling or trouble breathing.
- Injectable andrographolide medicines carry a serious anaphylaxis risk. A review of 262 studies found life-threatening anaphylactic shock, including deaths, with injectable andrographolide derivative medicines. These are not herbal supplements. The same review described oral herbal preparations as essentially safe, with mostly mild to moderate stomach and skin effects.
- Common side effects in trials: mostly stomach upset. The 2017 review reported no major adverse events in the trials and minor ones mainly affecting the digestive system.
- Product quality and variability. Trials mostly used commercial products and seldom reported how they were made or checked, so different products may not behave alike.
Safety first: allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with andrographis products. A review of Thailand's national safety-reporting database (2001 to 2012) found 13 hypersensitivity case reports that met the study's criteria, including anaphylactic shock (5), anaphylactic reaction (4) and angioedema (4), with symptoms starting from 5 minutes to 1 day after use. The authors said the causal link needs further investigation but that health professionals should be aware of the risk. [1] A rash, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing after a dose needs emergency care: call 911 (US).
What andrographis is
Andrographis is a plant whose accepted scientific name in GBIF is Andrographis paniculata (Burm.fil.) Nees, in the family Acanthaceae. [2] It is known in Chinese medicine as Chuan Xin Lian. [3] The sources we read for this page do not state which plant part is used in each product, and trials in a 2017 review mostly used commercial products that seldom reported manufacturing or quality-control details. [3] NCCIH and MedlinePlus pages for andrographis could not be found when we looked, so this page relies on systematic reviews and a pharmacovigilance study.Traditional use
This is tradition, not proof. A 2017 systematic review says andrographis has traditionally been used in Indian and Chinese herbal medicine for cough, cold and influenza. [3] We did not read a source that describes the traditions in more detail, so we do not add any.What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Who and what was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms of acute respiratory infections (cough, sore throat, overall symptoms) | A 2017 review of 33 randomized trials (7,175 patients) found improvement in cough and sore throat versus placebo, and shorter time to symptom resolution versus usual care. [3] | Promising but limited: the authors called the trials' methodological quality "overall poor" and asked for better-designed trials | Oral andrographis, alone or in herbal mixtures, adults and children |
| Reducing antibiotic use | The review said well-designed trials evaluating this are warranted. [3] | Insufficient evidence | Not established |
| Arthritis, other conditions | Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for this page; we searched PubMed, NCCIH, MedlinePlus and EMA herbal pages. | Not assessed | Not applicable |
Note the limits. Many trials tested mixtures, so a result may not belong to andrographis alone, and a result for one commercial extract does not transfer to another product, tea or tincture.
Safety
- Allergy: see the warning at the top. A separate systematic review (262 studies) reported anaphylactic shock, with deaths, for injectable andrographolide derivative medicines, which are not herbal supplements. It described herbal preparations as "essentially safe", with mostly mild to moderate stomach, skin and subcutaneous reactions. [4] That is the authors' reading of the studies found, and it sits beside the Thai reports of allergic reactions to oral products above.
- Common effects in trials: the 2017 review reported no major adverse events and minor ones mainly gastrointestinal. [3]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding, children, older adults: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read. Not knowing is not the same as being safe. Ask a clinician, and see Pregnancy and Breastfeeding and Children and Teens.
- Medicines, liver and kidney conditions, bleeding and surgery: interactions were not described in the sources we read. Because evidence is thin, ask a pharmacist and read How Interactions Work and Supplements Before Surgery.
- Quality: the poor reporting of manufacturing details noted above is a reason to be careful with labels. See Quality Testing and Certifications.
We give no amounts. For overall guidance on colds and coughs see Colds, Flu and Respiratory Infections, and for other herbs in this collection see Echinacea and Pelargonium.
Frequently asked questions
Does andrographis work for colds?
It is promising but limited. A 2017 review of 33 trials found improvement in cough and sore throat, but called the trial quality poor. [3]
Can andrographis cause allergic reactions?
Yes. Thailand's national reporting database includes anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic reaction and angioedema reports linked to andrographis products. [1]
Is andrographis the same as andrographolide injections?
No. A systematic review separated oral herbal preparations from injectable andrographolide derivatives, which were linked to life-threatening anaphylaxis. [4]
Is andrographis safe in pregnancy?
Proper evidence not found in the sources we read. Ask a clinician before use.
What is andrographis called in Chinese medicine?
Chuan Xin Lian. [3]
References
- Characterization of hypersensitivity reactions reported among Andrographis paniculata users in Thailand using Health Product Vigilance Center (HPVC) database. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014. Read 2026-10-22.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Andrographis paniculata match record. Read 2026-10-22.
- Andrographis paniculata ((Chuan Xin Lian)) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2017. Read 2026-10-22.
- Adverse effects of andrographolide derivative medications compared to the safe use of herbal preparations of Andrographis paniculata: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies. Front Pharmacol. 2022. Read 2026-10-22.