Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees

Description:

Bukit Tagar, Selangor, Malaysia.Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees. Acanthaceae. CN: [Malay - Hempedu bumi, Akar cerita, Sambiloto, Sambilata], Nivalembu, Maha tita, King of bitter, Creat, Green chireta. Native to India and Sri Lanka; elsewhere naturalized and cultivated. Plant grows erect to a height of 30110 cm in moist, shady places. The slender stem is dark green, squared in cross-section with longitudinal furrows and wings along the angles. The lance-shaped leaves have hairless blades measuring up to ca 8 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The small flowers are borne in spreading racemes. The fruit is a capsule ca 2 cm long and a few millimeters wide. It contains many yellow-brown seeds. The plant is widely used in various ethnic communities for treating a variety of ailments. Hempedu bumi, literally translated as "Bile of earth" is one of the most bitter plants that are used in traditional medicine. Andrographolide is the major constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant for treatment of various ailments. Literature on this herbal plant medicinal properties is so immense. Synonym(s):Justicia paniculata Burm. f. (basionym)Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?414228en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrographis_paniculatams.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokok_Hempedu_Bumikesihatan.jbdirectory.com/Hempedu_Bumi_dalam_perubatan_tr...