A New Way to Conquer Colds

Known as alui in China, and kalmegh in India, the herb Andrographis paniculata is prized in Asia as a potent healer for a variety of diseases. A number of studies have shown it to be effective in treating the initial stages of the common cold and sinusitis, and the herb has been available as a commercial cold medicine in Scandinavian countries for 12 years.

In 1992, researchers in Sweden conducted a double-blind study of 50 patients with cold symptoms. They found that A. paniculata successfully alleviated cold symptoms and shortened their duration. A 1980 placebo-controlled study in Chile involving 84 cold sufferers found that all patients reported improvement in symptoms, and 70 of the patients returned to normal body temperatures within 48 hours of taking the herb.

A. paniculata may also be helpful in preventing colds as well as treating them. Compared to a placebo group, Chilean school children given the herb throughout the winter experienced 50% fewer colds.

Minimal side effects have been reported by those using A. paniculata, although a few cases of hives have been noted.  Based on information in: GreatLife, Oct 1998