Description
A well-balanced formula intended to reduce excessive inflammatory processes, helping to support cognition and reduce pain in muscles, joints and connective tissue. Based on Andrographis paniculata and balanced with ginger & licorice in accordance with TCM principles.*
What Does Our AndrographEx™ formula contain?
Our AndrographEx™ formula is composed of:
- Andrographis paniculata (standardized to 50% of andrographolides) – 375 mg
- Zinger officinalis (dry ginger root – standardized to 5:1 concentration) – 62.5 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root – standardized to 5:1 concentration) – 62.5 mg
It comes in capsules made from cellulose and are suitable for vegans.
Like our other nutraceuticals, our AndrographEx™ formula is free from allergens such as gluten, soy, fish, lactose, milk, meat and wheat.
What Is the Recommended Daily Dosage?
We recommend 1 capsule per day or as advised by your healthcare professional. It can be consumed with meals.
What Does the Science Say?
Andrographis paniculata (The King of Bitters)
Andrographis paniculata (Chuan Xin Lian) is a plant with a tremendous power to modulate inflammation. Called the “King of Bitters”, it has an extended history of use in TCM due to its diverse beneficial effects on inflammation in musculoskeletal and brain & nervous tissue.
Modern research has identified many positive properties of Andrographis, in particular:
- Support against inflammation. Andrographis contains andropraholides, which, according to a growing body of modern research, are potent anti-inflammatory agents. Technically speaking, they inhibit one of the inflammation-promoting factors such as Nuclear kappa Beta (NF-kB). NF-kb can be thought of the body’s “on/off switch” for producing/resovling inflammation. Increased inflammation can over time lead to diseases such as osteo-arthritis or Alzheimer’s disease and set the stage for neurodegeneration.
- Supportive for joints. Animal studies have shown Andrographis to be a potent inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (MMPs), an important group of enzymes which are involved in the cartilage degradation in the joints. By inhibiting these, Andrographis prevented cartilage destruction by reducing collagen and hyaluronic acid loss from the joint’s cartilage. Furthermore, it has been observed that andrographolides may play a very supportive role for maintaining proper joint structure and function. Degenerative joint disease, often called osteoarthritis, is characterised by the degradation of articular cartilage; its erosion can cause joint inflammation and pain, decrease mobility and reduce performance of physically active humans. It was noted that andrographolides could thus support against this.
- Support for the mind. In addition, Andrographis is believed to dampen neuroinflammation in the brain’s structures. In an in vivo study [10], it was suggested andrographolides may prevent neurodegeneration and memory impairment associated with neuroinflammation and may have a neuroprotective effect in the prefrontal cortex region. Other studies suggest similar results [7].
Ginger Root
Zingiber siccatum rhizoma, commonly known as ginger, has been known as a strong anti-inflammatory agent for thousands of years in Asian medicine. It’s main bioactive compound is gingerol, which has been thoroughly researched and clinically evaluated as an extremely useful anti-microbial agent.
Ginger is commonly used as a ready for nausea, bloating, indigestion and constipation. Its warm nature complements the coldness of Andrographis, helping to balance our AndrographEx formula.
Licorice Root
Glycyrrhiza glabra, known commonly as licorice, is one of the most commonly used herbs in TCM used to treat many different ailments. In a TCM-sense, Glycyrrhiza is considered a directing herb, helping other herbs to be properly directed to the affected channels.
Glycyrrhiza has in particular been observed to assist digestion and act as relief for muscle spasms & cramps and joint inflammation. Recent animal studies also suggest it may have neuroprotective properties [9].
We use licorice in our AndrographEx formula to, together with ginger, balance the cold nature of Andrographis paniculata and make it safe for longer term use.
Scientific References & Relevant Research
[1] Krasnokutsky S, Samuels J, Abramson SB. Osteoarthritis in 2007. Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis. 2007;65(3):222-8.
[2] Lees P. Pharmacology of drugs used to treat osteoarthritis in veterinary practice. Inflammopharmacology. 2003;11(4):385-99.
[3] Wallin, L., Strandberg, E., Philipsson, J., & Dalin, G. (2000). Estimates of longevity and causes of culling and death in Swedish warmblood and coldblood horses. Livestock production science, 63(3), 275-289.
[4] Goodrich LR, Nixon AJ. Medical treatment of osteoarthritis in the horse – a review. Vet J. 2006;171(1):51-69.
[5] Li ZZ, Tan JP, Wang LL, Li QH. Andrographolide Benefits Rheumatoid Arthritis via Inhibiting MAPK Pathways. Inflammation. 2017;40(5):1599-1605.
[6] Wong SY, Tan MG, Wong PT, Herr DR, Lai MK. Andrographolide induces Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 in astrocytes by activating p38 MAPK and ERK. J Neuroinflammation. 2016;13(1):251.
[7] Luo LK, Wei QJ, Liu L, Zheng L, Zhao JM. Andrographolide enhances proliferation and prevents dedifferentiation of rabbit articular chondrocytes: an in vitro study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:984850.
[8] Li GF, Qin YH, Du PQ. Andrographolide inhibits the migration, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase expression of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes via inhibition of HIF-1α signaling. Life Sci. 2015;136:67-72.
[9] Ko YH, Kwon SH, Lee SY, Jang CG. Liquiritigenin ameliorates memory and cognitive impairment through cholinergic and BDNF pathways in the mouse hippocampus. Arch Pharm Res. 2017;40(10):1209-1217.
[10] Das S, Mishra KP, Ganju L, Singh SB. Andrographolide – A promising therapeutic agent, negatively regulates glial cell derived neurodegeneration of prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and working memory impairment. J Neuroimmunol. 2017;313:161-175.
