Andrographis
Andrographis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae. They may be known generally as the false waterwillows, and several are called periyanagai.
Most species are native to Asia. Many are endemic to India. They may be herbs or shrubs.
Some species are used medicinally. The best known is Andrographis paniculata, which is valued in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine. It is used to treat a very long list of illnesses and conditions. A. alata and A. lineata are used in human and veterinary medicine.
It is not clear how many valid species currently belong to the genus. Estimates vary from 19 to 28 to 40 to 44.
Species include:
- Andrographis affinis
- Andrographis alata
- Andrographis atropurpurea
- Andrographis beddomei
- Andrographis ceylanica
- Andrographis elongata
- Andrographis explicata
- Andrographis glandulosa
- Andrographis gracilis
- Andrographis humifusa
- Andrographis lawsonii
- Andrographis laxiflora
- Andrographis lobelioides
- Andrographis macrobotrys
- Andrographis neesiana
- Andrographis orbiculata
- Andrographis ovata
- Andrographis paniculata - king-of-bitters, kalmegh, maha-tita, bhui-neem
- Andrographis producta
- Andrographis rothii
- Andrographis rotundifolia
- Andrographis sinensis
- Andrographis stellulata
- Andrographis tenera
