Natural Herb Library

All-Grass of Common Andrographis

Chinese
穿心莲
Pinyin
Chuan Xin Lian
Latin
Herba Andrographitis
Botanical illustration of All-Grass of Common Androgrphis, Andrographis paniculata, showing habit, leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Chuan Xin Lian (穿心莲), this bitter, cold herb enters the Heart, Lung, Large Intestine, and Urinary Bladder. Traditionally, it clears heat and relieves toxicity, most often applied for upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis, and dysentery. Modern research has identified Andrographolide among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Andrographitis

Latin: Herba Andrographitis | Pinyin: Chuan Xin Lian | Chinese: 穿心莲

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cold
Channels
Heart, Lung, Large Intestine, Urinary Bladder

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears heat and relieves toxicity … used for acute respiratory infections (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia), febrile diseases, dysentery, and inflammatory heat toxicity patterns
  • Cools the blood and reduces swelling … used for skin infections, abscesses, furuncles, and snake bites from heat toxin in the blood level

Secondary Actions

  • Dries dampness and clears heat in the Lower Jiao … used for urinary tract infections, damp-heat diarrhea, and dysuria
  • Clears heat from Heart and Lung … used for mouth ulcers and wheezing from Lung heat

Classic Formulas

  • Chuan Xin Lian Pian (穿心莲片) … single-herb patent tablet for acute respiratory infections and inflammatory heat toxicity conditions

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Andrographolide … principal labdane diterpenoid (up to 4% in leaves); potent NF-κB inhibitor, antiviral, immunostimulatory, antipyretic, and antitumor
  • Neoandrographolide and 14-deoxyandrographolide … diterpene derivatives with anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity
  • 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide … potent NF-κB signaling inhibitor
  • Andrographiside and andrographolactone … glycoside and lactone derivative forms
  • Flavonoids (5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone, wogonin, amentoflavone) … anti-inflammatory and antioxidant secondary metabolites

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory … andrographolide suppresses NF-κB, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6; pharmacological review confirms anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-fibrosis, anti-obesity, and hypoglycemic activities (PMID 34430627)
  • Upper respiratory tract infections … systematic review and meta-analysis: Andrographis paniculata significantly reduces severity and duration of uncomplicated ARTIs in adults and children; superior to placebo and comparable to standard comparators (PMID 28783743)
  • Andrographolide pharmacology … comprehensive review of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and clinical trials; multiple validated therapeutic targets across preclinical and clinical studies (PMID 34818697)

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy … animal studies demonstrate antifertility effects and uterine stimulant activity; absolute contraindication
  • Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold … extremely bitter-cold nature; contraindicated in Yang deficiency and cold-type conditions
  • Wind-Cold type respiratory infections … cold nature will exacerbate Wind-Cold patterns; use only for Wind-Heat or toxic heat patterns

Cautions

  • May elevate liver enzymes with high-dose or prolonged use … monitor liver function with extended courses
  • Allergic reactions reported including anaphylaxis and lymphadenopathy at very high doses … discontinue if rash or hypersensitivity develops

Drug Interactions

  • Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) … andrographolide inhibits platelet aggregation; increased bleeding risk (MSK)
  • Blood pressure medications (antihypertensives) … additive hypotensive effect reported; monitor blood pressure (MSK)
  • Aminophylline … may increase risk of side effects from this drug (MSK)
  • CYP450 substrate drugs … andrographolide modulates CYP450 enzymes; may alter drug metabolism and increase adverse effects; consult physician (MSK)
  • UGT 2B7 substrate drugs … may increase side effect risk (MSK)
  • Chemotherapy drugs … antioxidant effects could interfere with medication actions (MSK)

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is All-Grass of Common Andrographis used for?

All-Grass of Common Andrographis is traditionally used to Clears heat and relieves toxicity … used for acute respiratory infections (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia), febrile diseases, dysentery, and inflammatory heat toxicity patterns, Cools the blood and reduces swelling … used for skin infections, abscesses, furuncles, and snake bites from heat toxin in the blood level. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory … andrographolide suppresses NF-κB, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6; pharmacological review confirms anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-fibrosis, anti-obesity, and hypoglycemic activities (PMID 34430627); Upper respiratory tract infections … systematic review and meta-analysis: Andrographis paniculata significantly reduces severity and duration of uncomplicated ARTIs in adults and children; superior to placebo and comparable to standard comparators (PMID 28783743).

What are other names for All-Grass of Common Andrographis?

All-Grass of Common Andrographis is also known as Andrographitis. In TCM: 穿心莲 (Chuan Xin Lian); Herba Andrographitis.

Is All-Grass of Common Andrographis safe during pregnancy?

All-Grass of Common Andrographis is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Common Andrographis?

All-Grass of Common Andrographis should not be used in: Pregnancy … animal studies demonstrate antifertility effects and uterine stimulant activity; absolute contraindication; Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold … extremely bitter-cold nature; contraindicated in Yang deficiency and cold-type conditions; Wind-Cold type respiratory infections … cold nature will exacerbate Wind-Cold patterns; use only for Wind-Heat or toxic heat patterns. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does All-Grass of Common Andrographis interact with any medications?

All-Grass of Common Andrographis may interact with: Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) … andrographolide inhibits platelet aggregation; increased bleeding risk (MSK); Blood pressure medications (antihypertensives) … additive hypotensive effect reported; monitor blood pressure (MSK); Aminophylline … may increase risk of side effects from this drug (MSK); CYP450 substrate drugs … andrographolide modulates CYP450 enzymes; may alter drug metabolism and increase adverse effects; consult physician (MSK). Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.