KP Phyto’s Newsletter
22 December 2023
1
NEWSLETTER
SHARING KNOWLEDGE & HELPING CUSTOMERS EXCEL
Vol 3/2023 | Editor: Kerry Hughes, MSc.
Driving the global
supply chain in
botanical ingredients.
The King of Bitters
“Indian Echinacea”
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) is an herbaceous
perennial with lance-shaped leaves growing between 1-4
feet mainly in shady spots.It is present throughout much of
India and tropical Asia, and cultivated widely as well.
Andrographis has a long traditional use in Ayurvedic,
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Siddah and Innani Traditional
medicines, yet it is still relatively unknown in the west. It has
been referred to as “Indian Echinacea” due to its similar
popular and traditional uses as Echinacea, but its more
common names are Kalmegh, King of Bitters, or just
“Andrographis”.
KP Phyto’s Newsletter
22 December 2023
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..more information
on Andrographis & other
ingredients.
Visit:
https://phytoextractskp.com/
andropan/
or
E:Info@phytoextractskp.com
KP Phyto has invested heavily in understanding the points
along the supply chain that must be controlled for the best
quality outcomes in Andrographis ingredient quality. We
also invest into the understanding and development of the
research behind Indian traditional botanicals…with a focus
this month on Andrographis!
Andrographis is most popular in the Winter season for
supporting immunity, and its actions are multifaceted. Besides
having a number of health-supporting activities, it is also known
as a bitter herb.
Bitters & Immunity
Herbalists and traditional medicine practitioners have long
been using ‘bitters’ for digestive support and for most of
this time the scientific community didn’t know why. A little
over a decade ago, though, we had a major breakthrough
in understanding. It turns out there are bitter sensors that
are found not only on the tongue where we knew we
sensed taste, but all throughout the digestive tract! And
what is even more surprising is that the bitter sensors play
an important role in the metabolic process of digestion and
blood sugar regulation. The most recent advances on bitter
receptors and their role in human health have uncovered
that they play an important role in regulating innate
immune responses.
Although research has not been conducted yet specifically
on the bitter flavour of Andrographis and its alteration of
bitter sensors, a wide range of bitter compounds are known
to stimulate these receptors. We also know that when
human jejunal crypts (special cells in the digestive tract)
sensed bitter agonists they respond by releasing
antimicrobial peptides, as well as regulating the expression
KP Phyto’s Newsletter
22 December 2023
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With regard to supporting digestion, Andrographis has
several activities that are thought to contribute to its activity.
The digestion of starches and sugars are supported through
improved production of brush border enzymes by the small
intestine. Additionally, Andrographis supports cytokine
balance and the production of healthy liver enzymes and
bile flow, thereby supporting digestion and detoxification.
Preliminary research on the effect of Andrographis on the
immune system also indicates that Andrographis may
increase antibody activity, as well as phagocytosis by
macrophages. Additionally, Andrographis has been
observed to exhibit mast-cell stabilizing activity as well as
immunomodulating activity.
The Andrographolides
The andrographolides, members of the isoprenoid family of
natural products, are the focus phytochemicals that are
studied from Andrographis for their various benefits.
Andrographolide is an extremely bitter substance that has
exhibited support blood sugar balancing, antioxidant,
cognitive, respiratory and digestive health activities through
research.
Specifically, andrographolide is known to play a role in cell
signalling and immunomodulation. Other possible
mechanisms of action of Andrographis for supporting
traditional use include support of comfort, microbial
balance, cytokine balance, antiplatelet effects,
of other innate immune factors. This field is newly evolving,
an exciting area of research for botanicals, especially those
that are bitters and known traditionally to play a role in
immune support, such as Andrographis—“The King of
Bitters”.
KP Phyto’s Newsletter
22 December 2023
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activities, and used in at least 26 Ayurvedic formulas. In
Ayurveda, bitter flavor is known to generally balance the
Kapha and Pita doshas, which is also true of Andrographis.
Andrographis is considered soothing to the out of balance
Kapha and Pita doshas, and cooling to the body, reducing
Pita and Kapha in the head and chest to support normal
body temperature. It is has a drying and penetrating quality
that can balance the phlegm of out of balance Kapha.
Additionally, its very bitter flavor promotes liver health and
digestion, contributing to its all-round wellness promoting
uses.
Andrographis and Future Research
Just as mentioned in previous newsletters on how botanical
Extracts exert their effects, science is confirming the multiple
mechanistic targets of Andrographis. Andrographis shows
activity in multiple upstream areas of the health and
metabolism, which may widely affect health outcomes
downstream.
With the very exciting advances in our understanding of
bitters and bitter receptors in the GI tract, Andrographis is
poised to be an herb that can play an important role in
addressing the emerging importance of the intersection of
digestion, immunity and metabolic health.
cardioprotection, hepatoprotection and blood sugar
balance.
Andrographis and Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, Andrographis is one of the most regularly used
rejuvenating plants with all-round wellness promoting
KP Phyto’s Newsletter
22 December 2023
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Educational Content By :
Kerry Hughes,MSc.,The Ethnobotanical Explorer,
Kerry Hughes,Msc,.The Ethnobotanical Explorer &
principal for EthnoPharm,is an Ethnobotanist and
Registered Herbalist, with a 20-year record of success in
natural product development .EthnoPharm specializes in
innovative product formulation,education,and nexus of
market opportunity identification.
*This content is for informational
and educational purposes only. It
is not intended to provide
medical advice or to take the
place of such advice or treatment
from a personal physician.