King of Bitters (穿心莲)

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wallich ex Nees

 

Synonyms: Justicia paniculata

Bitterweed, King of Bitters, Creat, Chiretta, Indian Echinachea, 穿心莲, 四方蓮

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Annual
Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Shrubby
Maximum Height	0.5 m

 

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting

 

• Used to treat colds, sinusitis and other upper-respiratory ailments.
• A 'cooling' herb in TCM used as fever remedy and to eliminate heat and toxins from body.
• Also used as stomachache remedy.
• Leaf poultice applied to skin to relieve itch from insect bites and rash.
• Recent research shows plant has antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties, and may be useful in formulating treatments for cancer and HIV infection.

 

 

 

• https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/6/1665
• https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/.../plant-detail.aspx...%20See%20Less
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33610706/
• http://natureloveyou.sg/Andrographis%20paniculata/Main.html

The information in this website is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.