Kalamegha (Andrographis paniculata) ↔ Randomised-Trial Evidence for Acute Respiratory Infection

Andrographis has better randomised-trial support than almost any other drug in this materia medica for a common condition — acute uncomplicated respiratory infection — but real anaphylaxis reports and the fact that fever in India covers many distinct diseases both demand careful qualification.

IN PLAIN LANGUAGE

Kalamegha (Andrographis) has some of the best scientific trial evidence of any Ayurvedic herb for easing a common cold or flu-like illness. But fever in India can also mean something far more serious, and this herb should never replace proper diagnosis of a persistent or unusual fever.

Modern trials offer strong, specific proof that Andrographis eases symptoms of ordinary respiratory infections. Ayurveda's centuries of jwaraghna use point the same direction, but neither tradition alone can tell a common cold apart from dengue or typhoid — that requires proper diagnosis.

WHEN TO SEEK CARE

See a doctor for any fever lasting more than a few days, with rash, bleeding, severe body ache, or after travel to a malaria-prone area, and seek emergency care immediately for rash, swelling, wheeze or dizziness after taking Andrographis.

🔴 REFER IMMEDIATELY

High fever with rash, bleeding, severe myalgia, or thrombocytopenia (possible dengue)
Fever with rigors and a travel/residence history in a malaria-endemic area
Fever beyond 5-7 days without improvement, or with any localising sign, before continuing kalamegha alone
Any acute hypersensitivity reaction (rash, wheeze, facial swelling, hypotension) after taking Andrographis
Suspected malaria, dengue, typhoid, tuberculosis, scrub typhus or leptospirosis
Anaphylaxis or significant hypersensitivity reaction to Andrographis
Fever persisting beyond the expected self-limited course of a viral URI

Never do this

Do not treat a fever presumptively with kalamegha without considering malaria, dengue, typhoid, tuberculosis, scrub typhus and leptospirosis, particularly if fever persists beyond a few days or has any localising or haemorrhagic feature.

🟢 SUITABLE FOR ROUTINE / COLLABORATIVE CARE

AYURVEDA SCOPE

Standardised extract or classical churna/ghana vati for symptomatic relief in confirmed uncomplicated viral upper respiratory infection, after serious causes have been reasonably excluded.

MODERN MEDICINE SCOPE

Diagnosis and specific treatment of malaria, dengue, typhoid, tuberculosis, scrub typhus and leptospirosis, and recognition and management of Andrographis-associated hypersensitivity.

COLLABORATIVE SCOPE

Kalamegha can be offered for symptomatic relief once a clinician has actively considered and reasonably excluded the serious endemic-fever differentials — the two are compatible only in that order.

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