Colds: Ayurvedic herb speeds up recovery from cold symptoms

On the heels of the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the East was rocked again in 1919 with the Indian flu epidemic that spread as far as Europe. Although largely forgotten in the wake of the famously deadly flu of the year before, the Indian flu is unique in that a herbal remedy - andrographis paniculata - is credited with halting its spread.

Extract of andrographis has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) therapies and Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat common colds and influenza. Last year, researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth conducted a review of seven different andrographis trials with very promising results.

Ancient herb more effective than medication
The research teams conducted a survey of medical databases, herbal manufacturer information and World Health Organisation reports to select seven studies that met the criteria for double-blind, controlled trials. The combined studies tested the use of andrographis as a treatment for respiratory tract infection in nearly 900 subjects.

As reported in the journal Planta Medica, researchers analysed three studies that tested doses of 48 to 60 mg of andrographis per day against placebo. Three other studies examined 60 mg of andrographis per day along with a daily dose of Siberian ginseng versus placebo. The seventh trial had subjects taking 180 and 360 mg of crude andrographis (as opposed to standardised extracts in the other six studies), measured against a medication for common colds.

In all seven of these studies, subjects who took andrographis after the onset of cold symptoms reported faster recovery, compared to subjects who took placebo or medication.

Researchers concluded that andrographis may be effective in treating 'uncomplicated' infection in the upper respiratory tract (throat, sinuses and ears). Adverse effects were described as 'mild and infrequent.' They also noted that preliminary evidence indicated a possible preventive effect, but further studies will be needed to confirm that.

Andrographis may offer many health benefits
In addition to the seven studies mentioned in the research, previous laboratory trials have shown that andrographis extract doesn't actually kill the organisms that make you sick - at least not directly. Instead, it boosts your immune system and stimulates natural antibodies.

Your body creates some very powerful disease-fighting enzymes. But if you become ill easily or don't recover quickly from colds and the flu, the production of these antioxidant enzymes may be compromised. Andrographis protects enzymes, enhancing natural disease-fighting abilities.

But andrographis may eventually prove to do more than just bolster disease-fighting enzymes. Here are some results from trials with lab animals:

* Research with dogs showed that andrographis may help prevent myocardial ischaemia (inadequate blood circulation in the heart caused by coronary artery disease)
* A similar study found that andrographis may inhibit the formation of blood clots
* Diabetic animals treated with andrographis developed lower blood sugar levels
* Andrographis lowered systolic blood pressure in lab rats bred to be spontaneously hypertensive
* Andrographis preserved liver function in mice that were given drugs to impair liver function The potential of andrographis to influence these conditions in humans isn't yet known. Of course I will report any new findings in your e-alerts.

Herb out-sells cold medications
Kan Jang is a brand of standardised extract of andrographis that has outsold all other cold medications in Scandinavia for well over a decade. It is formulated by scientists at the Swedish Herbal Institute. They recommend one tablet four times daily to fight colds or the flu. Extracts are standardised to 11.2 mg andrographolides per 200 mg of extract.

Extensive human trials of Kan Jang have only measured the product's impact on cold symptoms and occurrences. And even though those trials didn't identify any adverse side effects, you should consult with your doctor or health care practitioner before supplementing with Kan Jang, especially if you suffer from high or low blood pressure, a blood-sugar disorder, or vascular problems. Women that are pregnant or nursing should avoid using Kan Jang.

Andrographis supplements are available from Internet sources.