Evidence supporting the use of: Andrographis
For the health condition: Dysentery

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as "King of Bitters," has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and folk medicine across Southeast Asia. Traditionally, it has been used to manage gastrointestinal conditions, including dysentery, diarrhea, and related infections. The plant’s bitter constituents, primarily andrographolide, are believed to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, which are thought to be beneficial for intestinal infections.

Several ethnobotanical surveys and traditional medicine texts reference Andrographis for the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea, particularly in regions where access to modern antibiotics is limited. However, scientific validation specifically for dysentery is limited. While some laboratory studies suggest that Andrographis extracts have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, most clinical research has focused on its use for upper respiratory tract infections rather than gastrointestinal diseases. There are very few, if any, controlled human studies that directly evaluate its efficacy for dysentery.

In summary, the use of Andrographis for dysentery is primarily justified by traditional knowledge and historical usage rather than robust scientific evidence. The evidence rating reflects the predominance of tradition-supported use and limited direct scientific validation for this specific indication.

More about Andrographis
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