Tag: Andrographis paniculata

Recent regulatory advisories have brought attention to the popular cold and flu supplement ArmaForce, prompting many to question its components. The key ingredient in ArmaForce is Andrographis paniculata, a powerful herb with a long history of use in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine.

Used for centuries in traditional medicine throughout Asia, the leaves of the serpentina plant, also known as Andrographis paniculata, have been revered for their potent medicinal properties. This herb, nicknamed the "King of Bitters" due to its intensely bitter taste, is now gaining modern scientific attention for a wide array of potential health benefits, particularly its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Over 45,000 different plant metabolites exist, including the bitter compounds that protect plants from being eaten. The most bitter green is widely recognized as *Andrographis paniculata*, a medicinal herb so potent in flavor it is colloquially known as the "King of Bitters". While not a culinary green found in salads, its intensely bitter leaves are used in traditional medicine, far surpassing the bitterness of vegetables like kale or dandelion greens.