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Photo of Andrographis

Andrographis

穿心莲 · Chuān Xīn Lián

Fights infections and cools inflammation fast

Properties

CoolingCooling botanicalBitter

What it does

Andrographis is for the first sign of infection: sore throat, fever, or a respiratory bug. In TCM, it's one of the strongest heat-clearing botanicals, helping your body fight what's making you hot and inflamed. It's cooling and intensely bitter, which is actually the point. It even crossed into Scandinavian cold-and-flu culture, a rare feat for a TCM botanical.

How to take it

Capsule

Take andrographis capsules (standardized extract) at the first sign of a cold. Typical dose is 400mg 3x daily for up to 7 days. Take with food.

Try a standardized andrographis extract at the first throat tickle

Safety

  • Very bitter. Can cause stomach discomfort if taken on an empty stomach
  • Skip during pregnancy. It may have anti-fertility effects
  • Short-term use only (1–2 weeks) for acute conditions
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Andrographis is sometimes called 'the king of bitters', and honestly, the name is earned. Native to South and Southeast Asia, it's been a staple of both TCM and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. In Scandinavia, it gained popularity as a cold remedy in the early 2000s under the name Kan Jang. Three clinical trials have tested it for upper respiratory infections, and it's one of the most widely used botanicals for acute immune support across Asia.