| Andrographis paniculata is a commonly used herb | | | | Fibromyalgia, there may be underlying infectious |
| in India and China, but it is not that well known | | | | processes that trigger the symptoms of your |
| here in the West. It is known best for its immune | | | | condition. The Epstein-Barr Virus has been |
| enhancing and antimicrobial properties and it is | | | | implicated in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and |
| often called "Indian Echinacea," but its benefits are | | | | mycloplasma infections have been implicated in |
| wide ranging for a far greater number of | | | | Fibromyalgia. Dr. Garth Nicholsen, a practitioner of |
| conditions. It has many benefits for general | | | | orthomolecular medicine, has successfully treated |
| immunity during the cold and flu season, and it | | | | many diseases such as CFS, Fibromyalgia, and |
| may have applications for those with chronic | | | | Gulf War Syndrome using therapies similar to that |
| infectious diseases, such as Lyme Disease or | | | | used to treat Lyme Disease, which primarily |
| AIDS. It also may be beneficial for those with | | | | involved long term use of a combination of |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. | | | | antibiotics. Some of the bacteria implicated in |
| These last two conditions may also be triggered | | | | these conditions included mycoplasma pneumoniae, |
| by infectious processes. | | | | mycoplasma fermentans, and mycoplasma |
| Stephen Harrod Buhner, who is a well-known and | | | | genitalis. |
| respected herbalist, uses andrographis as a | | | | Andrographis may also have activity against these |
| cornerstone of his Healing Lyme Protocol. Lyme | | | | potential pathogens. |
| Disease is a spirochetal bacterial infection, that is | | | | Recent research has shown that the herb |
| extremely difficult to clear from the body in its | | | | improves gall bladder function, increasing bile flow, |
| tertiary stage. Because diagnosis and testing of | | | | and has been found to be as effective as milk |
| this condition is very poor at present, many | | | | thistle in protecting the liver. |
| people never realize they have this debilitating | | | | Several studies have shown that andrographis |
| illness until years have passed since they were | | | | may increase the body's resistance to infection |
| infected, and the bacteria is well entrenched in | | | | by stimulating production of antibodies and |
| their system. The bacteria also forms cysts which | | | | macrophages. |
| allow it to hide from the body's own immune | | | | Andrographis extracts have also been shown to |
| system. It also creates an overproduction of | | | | kill cancer cells, and some studies have implied |
| fibrin, which basically means a person with this | | | | that it may be as effective as tamoxifen, the |
| disease produces an abnormal amount of scar | | | | commonly used drug for preventing regrowth of |
| tissue, and that their blood will be thick, and their | | | | breast cancer cells. |
| blood circulation will be reduced. All of these things | | | | Andrographis has been shown to be active |
| make this bacterial illness challenging to treat. | | | | against the HIV virus. It appears to prevent the |
| Research in other countries has shown that the | | | | virus from infecting healthy T-cells and it also |
| herb may stimulate fibrinolysis, preventing | | | | appears to fight the HIV virus in cells that have |
| unhealthy blood clot formation. Andrographis may | | | | already been taken over. It appears to prevent |
| assist those suffering from Lyme, as a result of | | | | multiplication of the virus. |
| possible antimicrobial and immune enhancing | | | | As you can see, andrographis is an incredible herb |
| activity, and also as a result of its potential ability | | | | that may have wide ranging applications in all sorts |
| to break down excess fibrin in the blood. | | | | of chronic illnesses that often do not have many |
| For those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and | | | | simple solutions. |