Kalmegh (King of Bitters)
Andrographis paniculata
Other names: Bhunimba (भूनिम्ब), Kalmegh, kirata, king of bitters, Kalmegh (King of Bitters)
Photo credit: J.M.Garg
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Mild; GI upset, fatigue, headache, rash; rare allergic/anaphylactic reactions; isolated andrographolide-derivative injectables have caused adverse events.
Contraindications: Pregnancy (abortifacient/antifertility activity reported — avoid); autoimmune disease (immunostimulant); before surgery (possible bleeding/glucose); gallbladder disease.
Interactions: Anticoagulants/antiplatelets, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, immunosuppressants.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid — antifertility/abortifacient activity reported.
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
standardized extract (andrographolide) · whole plant / leaf
Part used: whole plant / leaf
Traditional use: immune/respiratory support (common cold, sore throat), antipyretic, hepatoprotective, 'bitter tonic'
Proposed mechanism: Andrographolide (diterpenoid lactone) — anti-inflammatory (NF-κB inhibition), immunomodulatory, antiviral; ARTI trials show symptom-duration/severity reduction
Dosage note (descriptive only): Respiratory trials used standardized extracts ~tens of mg andrographolide/day over 5-7 days; avoid in pregnancy
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
N/A; bioactive is andrographolide (diterpenoid lactone).
Healing traditions
Sources (4)
- Hu 2017, PLoS One (PMID 28783743)
- Worakunphanich 2021, Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf (PMID 33372366)
- Shang 2022, Front Pharmacol (PMID 35153776)
- Hossain 2021, Life (Basel) (PMID 33923529)