Evidence supporting the use of: Green chiretta
For the health condition: Gonorrhea

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Synopsis

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

Green chiretta (Andrographis paniculata) has a longstanding history of use in traditional medicine systems in Asia, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In these systems, it has been employed as a “bitter tonic” and for the management of various infections, including sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea. The rationale for its use is rooted in its broad antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its purported ability to “detoxify” the body and support immune function. Specific references to its use for gonorrhea can be found in ethnobotanical surveys and traditional medicine texts from India, Thailand, and Malaysia, where decoctions or extracts of the plant have been administered to individuals with symptoms consistent with gonorrhea.

However, while laboratory studies show that Andrographis paniculata contains compounds (e.g., andrographolide) with antimicrobial activity, there is little direct scientific evidence supporting its efficacy specifically against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea. No well-designed clinical trials or in vitro studies have demonstrated clear activity against this pathogen. As such, its use for gonorrhea is primarily justified by tradition, and the evidence supporting this practice is considered weak by modern scientific standards (rated 2/5, based on traditional reports and indirect antimicrobial effects).

In summary, green chiretta is traditionally used for gonorrhea in some cultures, but robust scientific validation is lacking. Standard medical treatment for gonorrhea remains antibiotic therapy as recommended by health authorities.

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