Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as "king of bitters," has a long history of use in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for treating respiratory tract infections, including cough. Recent scientific studies have evaluated its efficacy in treating upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), which often present with cough as a symptom. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that standardized Andrographis extracts may reduce the severity and duration of cough associated with URTIs, possibly due to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects attributed to its main active compound, andrographolide. For example, a 2017 meta-analysis (Hu et al., PLoS One) found that Andrographis extracts provided significant symptomatic relief in acute respiratory tract infections compared to placebo, with cough improvement among the most frequently reported benefits.

However, it is important to note that most of the available studies focus on cough as a symptom of infections such as the common cold, rather than specifically on "spastic cough" (a term sometimes used for paroxysmal or dry cough). While there is some evidence of effectiveness in cough associated with respiratory infections, direct evidence for "spastic cough" is limited. The quality of studies varies, and more high-quality, targeted research is needed to fully establish its efficacy for this specific cough type. Therefore, while there is scientific support for its use in cough related to respiratory infections, evidence for spastic cough specifically is moderate.

More about Andrographis paniculata
More about Cough (spastic)

Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)

Other health conditions supported by Andrographis paniculata

Products containing Andrographis paniculata