Pinyin: Chuanxinlian
Aliases
Yijianxi, Lanhelian, Sifanglian.
Source
Plant of the Acanthaceae family *Andrographis paniculata*Andrographis paniculataDried aerial parts of (Burm.f.) Nees.
Botanical Description
Annual herb. Stem erect, 4-angled, much-branched, nodes slightly swollen, easily broken. Leaves opposite; leaf blade lanceolate or oblong-elliptic, apex acuminate, base cuneate, margin shallowly undulate, both surfaces glabrous. Racemes terminal and axillary, forming large panicles; bracts and bracteoles minute, lanceolate; calyx with glandular hairs; corolla pale purple, bilabiate, upper lip curved outward, 2-lobed, lower lip erect, 3-lobed, lobes imbricate, corolla tube equal in length to lip; stamens 2, exserted, anthers 2-celled, one cell larger than the other, base of larger cell bearded, filaments hairy. Capsule flat, oblong-elliptic, about 1 cm long, with a groove in the middle, sparsely glandular-hairy. Seeds 12, quadrangular, wrinkled. Flowering September to October, fruiting October to November.
Habitat and Distribution
It is cultivated in various regions of southern China.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested and cut when the stems and leaves are lush in early autumn, then dried in the sun.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains andrographolide flavonoids, oroxin A, andrographolide flavonoid glycosides, andrographolide, and dehydroandrographolide.
Pharmacology
Has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects; has protective effects on experimental myocardial ischemia; inhibits platelet aggregation and antithrombotic formation; protects the liver and promotes bile secretion, has anti-tumor and anti-fertility effects, and has anti-snake venom and muscarinic-like effects; inhibits the central nervous system. It can significantly inhibit the activity of calmodulin-activated target enzyme cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase; has a certain inhibitory effect on aldose reductase in bovine lens; has an inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli, and has an antagonistic effect on diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli toxin.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, cold. Enters the Heart, Lung, Large Intestine, and Bladder channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat, resolves toxicity, cools Blood, and reduces swelling. Used for common cold with fever, sore throat, mouth and tongue sores, whooping cough and consumptive cough, diarrhea and dysentery, painful urinary dribbling due to Heat, carbuncles, swelling, sores, and snake or insect bites.
Dosage and Administration
Internal: decoct 9-15 g in water; for single use in large doses, 30-60 g may be used; grind into powder, 0.6-3 g per dose, taken in capsules or with boiled water. External: apply an appropriate amount, crushed or made into an ointment to the affected area; or decoct in water for eye or ear drops.
Precautions and Contraindications
Caution should be exercised in patients with Yang deficiency syndrome and those with weak Spleen and Stomach.
Prescriptions
1. For influenza: Grind *Andrographis paniculata* leaves into powder, take 2-3 times daily, 3 g per dose; for prevention of influenza, grind *A. paniculata* leaves into fine powder, insufflate into the throat, once daily. (Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) 2. For pneumonia: *A. paniculata* and *Mahonia fortunei* leaves 15 g each, *Citri reticulatae* Pericarpium 6 g. Decoct in water for oral administration. (Fujian Materia Medica) 3. For bronchitis and pneumonia: *A. paniculata* leaves 9 g. Decoct in water for oral administration. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine) 4. For pertussis: *A. paniculata* leaves 3 pieces. Soak in water, adjust with honey. Take 3 times daily. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine) 5. For scalds and burns: Grind dried *A. paniculata* leaves into powder, mix with tea oil; or apply a decoction of fresh leaves to the affected area. (Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine) 6. For acute bacillary dysentery and enteritis: *A. paniculata* 9-15 g. Decoct in water for oral administration. One dose daily, taken in 2 divided doses. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) 7. For hypertension: *A. paniculata* leaves 5-7 pieces. Steep in boiling water and take, several times daily. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine)
