Andrographis: Plants Application in Human Life - Research Paper Example

Plants Application in Human Life: Andrographis Outline of the Paper Introduction 2 Part Applications of the Plant 2 Part 2: Folklore and Superstitions about Andrographis 4 Part 3: Medical Evidence for Efficacy 5 Part 4: Faulty Assumptions about Andrographis 8 Part 5: Conclusion 9 Works Cited 10 Introduction Plants constitute a significant part both in the world of the living things and everyday life of human beings. They are used for such purposes as health care and food and can even be used for building in certain regions of the planet, and the benefit of such use is that, though the progress is similarly overwhelming it has still not covered some areas, this is the easiest way to solve important problems available. This paper will investigate into the peculiarities of the use of andrographis from scientific, folklore, medical points of view, as well as faulty assumptions about efficiency of this plant. Part 1: Applications of the Plant A Brief Outline of Andrographis as a Species A brief consideration of theoretical information about the mentioned plant will be beneficial for better perception of the results of the present study. Andrographis, or Andrographis paniculata, belongs to the family Acanthaceae. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17). The motherland to the plant is the Tropical Asia, particularly the Indian Subcontinent with its areas of India and Sri Lanka. (GRIN, 2005). Andrographis hs been naturalized to several geographic locations, it is widely cultivated and can be seen today in such regions as Africa (Mauritius), Temperate and Tropical Asia (China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia), Southern America (the Caribbean region), Central America, Australia. (GRIN, 2005). “The plant is erect and widely branching, reaching 2 to 3 feet tall, with long, green, square stems; small, lance-shaped leaves; and tiny, flecked, white to pale pink flowers in long, slim clusters.” (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17). The plant looks as follows: Source: Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17. It is necessary to mention that such wide spread of the mentioned plant is conditioned by its useful features and wide spheres of application which will be discovered in detail below. Andrographis is primarily used for the medical (medicines making) and treatment purposes: it is possible to find it at the chemists’ as tablets and capsules. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17). This plant possesses such beneficial from the medical point of view features as immunity boosting and antiviral effect. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17). Traditional form of this plant application has been the form of decoction or tea, which could be accompanied by herbs possessing sweet taste (stevia or licorice), because andrographis is very bitter. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 18). The mentioned medicine shall be consumed before the meals due to its effect of the digestion enhancing. The point of concern here is that it is necessary to start with a dose of tea which is weak, and then reach stronger doses. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 18). The part of the plant which is used for practical application is the herb which is above the ground, though the entire plant or its root may be used as well. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17). Andrographis is capable of treatment of a wide range of ailment conditions and diseases of a human body. It can be applied for preventing of flu and cold, and it is claimed that epidemic of influenza in India which broke out in 1919 in India was stopped by the wide use of this plant, though this fact needs a documentary confirmation. (WebMD, 2015). The positive treatment effect provided by the plant covers most of the organs and systems of the human organism: digestive system (treatment of constipation, diarrhea, colic, intestinal gases, pains in stomach); liver diseases (liver enlargement, medication-caused damage of the liver, and jaundice); immunity system which is attacked by infections like tuberculosis, leprosy, syphilis, pneumonia, cholera, gonorrhea, malaria and even HIV; and, finally, skin damages such as itchiness, ulcers and wounds. (WebMD, 2015). There is also mentioning of the plant use for the purpose of treatment of the sore throat, tonsils, cough, and allergies. “It is also used for “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and prevention of heart disease and diabetes.” (WebMD, 2015). Worms treatment, agent for killing of bacteria, reducer of fever, and astringent are also the roles that andrographis can successfully perform in terms of its practical application; insect and snake bites, pyelonephritis, appetite loss can also be successfully cured by means of practical treatment-purposed application of the mentioned plant. (WebMD, 2015). Part 2: Folklore and Superstitions about Andrographis The most widely spread folklore characteristic and reference to the mentioned plant is connected with its taste which is exclusively bitter. It is usually called the bitterest plant, or “king of bitters”, by the inhabitants of the countries where it is cultivated. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17-18; www.altcancer.com, 2015). The most widely told and spread folklore story about andrographis, according to Chandrabhan Seniya, is its effect in terms of overcoming the common flu and cold conditions in general and, what is more actual in regards of the present day, its being referred to as the remedy against the swine flu, or H1N1. (Seniya, 2014). The folklore treats this plant as a panacea from the mentioned disease which came out as a surprise particularly for the region for which andrographis is a usual plant, which is partially right (it contains andrographolide – a biologically active chemical substance which action is aimed at resistance to the harmful effect of the disease-causing factors), though which happened in practice, particularly in China, that neither the authorities nor the people could timely react to the disease, its causes and consequences, and the plant was not more useful than the standard medical ways of treatment of similar ailments. (Seniya, 2014). Part 3: Medical Evidence for Andrograhis Efficacy It is necessary to state that positive effects of medical treatment by means of andrographis have been documented for a very long time ago. The most famous ancient Indian book about health and care, Ayurveda, contains explanations of benefits which this plant gives and the diseases which can be cured. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17-19). This ancient book has become a basis for further medical evidences of andrographis efficacy from the medical point of view. Another ancient culture which has noticed benefits from andrographis practical application is the Chinese. The ancient Chinese medicine, the same way as the mentioned Ayurveda, recommended using the plant for blood sugar regulating, infections treatment, and promoting digestion. These recommendations were proved by the scientific researches specifically conducted on this topic. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 19). The efficacy of the plant is conditioned by its mechanism of action on the cells of the human body. Interaction of the substances produced by the plant with the DNA of the cells gives certain benefits: for example, a message activating insulin conveying is transmitted, which positively affects the blood quality. (www.altcancer.com, 2015). According to Hobbs and Gardner, andrographis possesses “…long list of clinically documented antiviral and immune-boosting effects”. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 17). Several spheres of andrographis application for the treatment purpose have proved its efficiency. It is necessary to mention that the investigations of the scientists from those countries where andrographis is widely spread make a significant interest. Indian scientists Hasan et al. in their investigation particularly related to the efficacy of the plants used as folklore remedies have uses andrographis for the purpose of treatment of helminthiasis and fever. Their patients took the remedy for 2 to 3 days prior to meals. (Hasan et al., 2014, 172). The plant proved its anti-parasitic and anti-pyretic effects. (Hasan et al., 2014, 172). According to MSKCC, it has been proved by the researches that the plant demonstrates evidence in terms of treatment of colitis of ulcerative type, infections off the upper respiratory, and the symptoms of rheumatism. (MSKCC, 2013). There is a precaution measure regarding using of the mentioned plant which has also been scientifically proved by the conducted researches. Andrographis is incompatible with the condition of pregnancy because it is abortifacient, that is, capable of abortion pregnancy, and it is strongly recommended that the pregnant women should not use this plant and any medicines based on it during this period. (Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine, 2010, 47). Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine also contains confirmation of such beneficial effect of andrographis, which is, supposedly, the main one which makes this plant so significant, as its successful counteraction to the symptoms of the cold: “A specific product (andrographis combined with Eleutherococcus senticosus) may shorten the duration and lessen the symptoms of common cold.” (Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine, 2010, 47). The scientists from Chile managed to prove benefits from using andrographis for treatment of the nasal part for those who suffer from cold. Several such sufferers took approximately one thousand and two hundred milligrams of the extract of this plant for the period of five days without any interruptions, and the effect was that the drying received in the course of this process was more than satisfactory. (Caceres et al., 1999, 217-223). A study of the year 2006 by Sheeja et al. proved that andrographis positively affects resistance to inflammation processes and promotes antioxidant phenomena. (Sheeja et al., 2006, 219-240). As any medicine or thing designed for medical purpose, andrographis has its cautions which have also been proved scientifically and experientially. This includes careful dosing: overdose may cause upset of digesting and rashes of skin, especially if the dose is two or three times higher from the necessary one and is used for a rather long period of time. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 19). It is also argued that Ayurveda allows small doses use of this plant for pregnant women, but, as it has already been mentioned above, it is better not to take up such a risk during this peculiar period of time and to change this component of treatment by something similar by the action and the effect. (www.altcancer.com, 2015). There has also been a research conducted on the topic regarding whether the plant influences fertility, that is, the ability to become a parent to a child. The results have shown that the animals may be subjected to the adverse effect of andrographis and interfere with their ability of reproduction, though the same effect has not been confirmed on humans. The point of concern here is, however, that if someone faces problems with becoming pregnant or fathering it is recommended that andrographis should not be used so as not to cause any additional unexpected harm from this perspective. (WebMD, 2015). Experiments and observations of the patients who have taken andrographis have shown that this plant may cause such undesirable causes as diarrhea, rash, vomiting, appetite loss, fatigue, headache, and snotty nose. “When used in high doses or long-term, andrographis might cause swollen lymph glands, serious allergic reactions, elevations of liver enzymes, and other side effects.” (WebMD, 2015). It is also reported by the medical scientists that it is better to avoid using andrographis when the person intended to do this has one of the following conditions: lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, because andrographis can make the immune system operate in a more active way which might “increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases.” (WebMD, 2015). Clinical researches of the western specialists in the sphere of the herbal theoretical and practical application, finally, support idea and confirm the fact that the use of andrographis is useful in terms of human health protection against both bacterial and viral infections, and that is why the physicians recommend using this herb as a remedy against the conditions of flu and cold which are considerably helpful in regards to reduction of the symptoms and adverse effect of the factors leading to the mentioned conditions. (Hobbs, Gardner, 2013, 18). Part 4: Faulty Assumptions about Andrographis As any item of medical destination, andrographis is often erroneously associated with some faulty assumptions about its features. Some faulty assumptions about the plant were briefly mentioned in the previous chapters of the paper, and this one will discover them in details. The first faulty argument about andrographis is that it may be very useful for treatment of such disease as cancer. The numerous scientific researches that have been conducted on this plant have given no evidence of efficacy of its use for the purpose of the cancer disease treatment. (MSKCC, 2013). The second false assumption about the plant is that it is a panacea against each and any disease related to flu and cold and any similar diseases. As it has been shown in practice, and as Chandrabhan Seniya has pointed out, andrographis, and andrographolide which it contains, has happened to be useless against the swine flu H1N1, which, however, does not mean that this is an ineffective means of treatment in general and it “…may be used as an alternative medicinal therapy for swine flu positive patient” provided that all the necessary measures have previously been taken. (Seniya, 2014). The third assumption is not quite false but can be referred to such one from this perspective. “Some people claim andrographis stopped the 1919 flu epidemic in India, although this has not been proven.” (WebMD, 2015). As the fact needs confirmation, it can be interpreted as false. The fourth assumption, finally, is that andrographis is a good cure for familial Mediterranean fever. “Developing research suggests that a combination of andrographis, Siberian ginseng, schisandra, and licorice… reduces the length, number, and severity of attacks of familial Mediterranean fever...”, which means that this plant is better to be taken in combination with other medicines. (WebMD, 2015). Part 5: Conclusion Taking the above mentioned information into consideration, it is possible to recommend andrographis for people who suffer from flu and cold and, as per the research of Hasan et al., for those who have problems with parasitic issues. (Hasan et al., 2014). This herb is also recommended for those being in regions of epidemics of influenza similar to India’s 1919 (WebMD, 2015). The category of people for whom it is not recommended at all is pregnant women due to its abortifacient ability. (www.altcancer.com, 2015). Works Cited Caceres, D., Hancke, J., Burgos, R., Sandberg, F., Wikman, G. Use of Visual Analogue Scale Measurements (VAS) to Assess the Effectiveness of Standardized Andrographis Paniculata Extract SHA-10 in Reducing the Symptoms of Common Cold. A Randomized Double Blind-placebo Study. 1999. Phytomedicine, 6 (4), 217-223. Print. GRIN. Taxon: Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees. 2015. Web. 24 May 2015. Hasan, M., Rahman, A., Amin, R., Akter, H., Norin, N., Nargis, T., Das, P., Islam, T., Hossan, S., Rahmatullah, M. Do Folk Medicinal Plants Have Scientific Validity Behind Their Issues? Some Notes on Plants Used in Jessore District, Bangladesh. 2014. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 4 (3), 169-179. Print. Hobbs, C., Gardner, L. Grow It, Heat It – Natural and Effective Herbal Remedies from Your Garden or Windowsill. 2013. Emmaus: Rodale Books. Print. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2010. Birmingham: Oxmoor House. Print. MSKCC. Andrographis. 2013. Web. 24 May 2015. Seniya, C. Analyzing the Interaction of a Herbal Compound Andrographolide from Andrographis Paniculata as a Folklore against Swine Flu (H1N1). 2014. Web. 24 May 2015. Sheeja, K., Shihab, P., Kuttan., G. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Plant Andrographis Paniculata Nees. 2006. Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, 28(1), 129-140. Print. WebMD. Andrographis. 2015. Web. 24 May 2015. www.altcancer.com. Andrographis. 2015. Web. 24 May 2015. Read More