Andrographis

Andrographis
Andrographis echioides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Andrographis
Wall. ex Nees
Species

unclear; see text

Andrographis is a genus of flowering plants in the acanthus family. They may be known generally as the false waterwillows,[1] and several are called periyanagai.[2]

Most species are native to Asia.[3] Many are endemic to India.[4] They may be herbs or shrubs.[2]

Some species are used medicinally. The best known is Andrographis paniculata, which is valued in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine. It is used to treat a very long list of illnesses and conditions.[3] A. alata and A. lineata are used in human and veterinary medicine.[2]

It is not clear how many valid species currently belong to the genus. Estimates vary from 19[5][6] to 28[3][4] to 40[7][2] to 44.[8]

Species include:[8]

References

  1. Andrographis. Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Boopathi, C. A. (2000). Andrographis spp.: A source of bitter compounds for medicinal use. Anc Sci Life 19(3-4) 164-8.
  3. 1 2 3 Niranjan, A., et al. (2010). Biological activities of kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees) and its active principles - A review. Indian J Nat Prod Resour 1(2) 125-35.
  4. 1 2 Gnanasekaran, G. and G. V. S. Murthy. (2012). Lectotypifications in Andrographis (Acanthaceae). Rheedia 22(2) 77-79.
  5. Patidar, S., et al. (2011). Biochemical constituents in kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees.) under various row spacings and nitrogen levels. World Applied Sciences Journal 15(8) 1095-99.
  6. Bhattacharya, S., et al. (2012). Studies on seed germination and seedling growth in kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees) under abiotic stress conditions. International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology 1(3) 197-204.
  7. Rao, Y. K., et al. (2003). Flavonoids from Andrographis viscosula. Chem Farm Bull 51(12) 1374-76.
  8. 1 2 Parixit, B., et al. (2012). The genus Andrographis: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 4(2) 1835-56.
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