Introduction of Chuan Xin Lian: Common Andrographis Herb

 ✵This article documents the herb Common Andrographis Herb—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely one plant species: (1) Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees., with a detailed description of its botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, herb characteristics, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.

Herba Andrographitis (Common Andrographis Herb).

 Pinyin Name: Chuān Xīn Lián
 English Name: Common Andrographis Herb
 Latin Name: Herba Andrographitis
 Properties and Flavor: Cold, bitter

 Brief Introduction: Herba Andrographis is the dried aerial part of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees., used to clear heat, resolve toxins, dry dampness, and reduce swelling. It treats wind-heat exterior syndromes, early-stage warm diseases, lung-heat cough and dyspnea, lung abscess, damp-heat dysentery, and painful pharyngeal swelling. It is commonly known as Herba Andrographis, Common Andrographis Herb, or Chuān Xīn Lián.

 Botanical Source: Herba Andrographis (Common Andrographis Herb) is the dried aerial part of (1) Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees., a plant of the genus Andrographis, family Acanthaceae (acanthus family), order Lamiales. This commonly used species is described below:

(1) Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees.

  Botanical Description: Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees is a plant of the family Acanthaceae and genus Andrographis. Synonyms include Justicia paniculata Burm.f. Common names are Andrographis paniculata, Common Andrographis Herb, Herb of Common Andrographis, Green Chirayta, King of Bitters, Chuān Xīn Lián, and Yuán Zhuī Xū Yào Cǎo ("conical-palp herb"). An annual herb. The stem is erect, quadrangular, and highly branched; nodes are slightly swollen and easily broken. Leaves are opposite; leaf blades are lanceolate or oblong-ovate; apex is acute to acuminate; base is cuneate; margin is sinuate; both surfaces are glabrous.

  Inflorescences are terminal and axillary racemes, aggregated into large panicles. Bracts and bracteoles are small and lanceolate. Calyx bears glandular hairs. Corolla is mauve (lilac), bilabiate: upper lip is reflexed and 2-lobed; lower lip is erect and 3-lobed; lobes are imbricate; corolla tube is approximately equal in length to the lower lip. Stamens: 2, exserted; anthers are bilocular—larger anther cell is basally bearded, smaller cell is rudimentary; filaments are pilose.

 Capsule fruit is oblate-ovoid, ~1 cm long, with a central groove, sparsely glandular-hairy. Seeds: 12, square, wrinkled. Flowering period: September–October; fruiting period: October–November.

 Ecological Environment: The plant grows wild in tropical and subtropical regions.

 Growth Characteristics: Andrographis paniculata prefers high temperature and high humidity. It thrives under full sunlight and in fertile soil. Optimal temperature for seed germination and seedling growth is 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); growth slows at 15–20 °C (59–68 °F). Growth ceases near 8 °C (46.4 °F). Plants wilt under frost or temperatures near 0 °C (32 °F). Cultivation is best in fertile, loose, acidic to neutral sandy loam with good drainage. It tolerates alkaline soils up to pH 8.0.

  Characteristics of the Herb: The stem is square-columnar and highly branched, 50–70 cm long, with slightly enlarged nodes; the herb is crisp in texture and easily broken. Leaves are opposite, with short or subsessile petioles; they are shriveled and fragile—intact leaves, when flattened, are lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 3–12 cm long and 2–5 cm wide; apex is acuminate; base is cuneate and decurrent; margin is entire or sinuate. Upper surface is green; lower surface is celadon (sage green); both surfaces are glabrous. The herb has a faint odor and an intensely bitter taste.

 Pharmacological Actions: (1) Inhibitory activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella dysenteriae; (2) Choleretic effect; (3) Antipyretic effect; (4) Anti-inflammatory effect; (5) Antivenom activity (against snake venom), etc.

 Medicinal Efficacy: Clears heat and resolves toxins, cools the blood, reduces swelling, drains fire, and dries dampness. It is indicated for fever due to wind-cold (early-stage exterior syndrome), wind-heat exterior syndrome, febrile diseases, sore throat with swelling and pain, oral ulcers, tongue sores, lung-heat cough, paroxysmal cough, overstrained cough, diarrhea, dysentery, acute bacillary dysentery, gastroenteritis, pyretic strangury with pain, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis, pulmonary abscess, tuberculosis, cholecystitis, hypertension, epistaxis, stomatitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, furuncles, carbuncles, damp-heat jaundice, painful urination, erysipelas, eczema, scalds and burns, and venomous snake bites.

 Administration of Herba Andrographitis (Chuān Xīn Lián): 
 

Reference:

Administration Guide of Herba Andrographitis (Chuān Xīn Lián)

TCM Books:

(1) Internally:6–9 grams dried herb. External use: appropriate amount. (2) Internally: water decoction, 3–5 qián (≈9–15 grams); or finely powdered herb. External use: apply decoction topically, or apply powdered herb as a paste. (3) Internally: water decoction, 9–15 grams; high dosage may reach 30–60 grams; powdered herb: 0.6–3 grams per dose, administered in capsules or with water. External use: appropriate amount—apply mashed herb or paste to affected areas; or instill decoction into eyes or ears.

 

Article Link:

  https://tcmfans.club/herbalism/chct/herbaandrographitis.html
  

 

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References:

• 1.Introduction of Chuan Xin Lian: Common Andrographis Herb.

 Edited and last revised: January 5, 2023