Green Chiryata (Andrographis paniculata): A potential blood purifier

Andrographis paniculata is a commonly used therapeutic herb in conventional systems of medicine like Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, and Folk. It is also known as 'Kalmegh', "wonder herb", "King of Bitters" and "BhuiNeem". This plant possesses therapeutic properties like anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-pyretic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, due to the presence of a variety of phytochemical constituents in it. Andrographolide is one of the main compound of Kalmegh which is associated with its therapeutic properties. It is being widely used for centuries in Asia, America and Africa continent for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcer, leprosy, bronchitis, skin diseases, flatulence, colic, influenza, dysentery, dyspepsia and malaria. The present review is mainly based upon its ayurvedic view also describing the past and present research studies on Andrographis paniculata for its therapeutic uses and pharmacological activities to fill the gap in research for the development of herbal formulations.