Plant Comparison
Andrographis vs Peach-leaved bellflower
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Andrographis and Peach-leaved bellflower: they share 5 indicated uses (infection (general), inflammation (general), skin irritation, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Andrographis | Peach-leaved bellflower | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infection (general) | 8/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Andrographis |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Peach-leaved bellflower |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Peach-leaved bellflower |
| Sore throat | 7/10 | 7/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Andrographis |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Chlorogenic and caffeic acids are the dominant phenolics of bellflowers (antioxidant).
Flavonol glycosides such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides.
Acetylenic (polyacetylene) compounds lobetyol and lobetyolin, characteristic antioxidant constituents of the Campanulaceae.
Triterpenes and saponins reported across the genus Campanula.
Pharmacological Actions
Andrographolide, the principal diterpene lactone of Andrographis paniculata, suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis across breast, lung, colon, cervical, hepatic and haematological cancers via NF-kappaB and PI3K/Akt inhibition (preclinical).
Bellflower extracts downregulate inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta).
Campanula macrostachya extract promoted fibroblast wound closure in vitro (genus congener).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Andrographolide (from Andrographis paniculata) acts as a chemopreventive and antitumour agent against breast, lung, colorectal, cervical, prostate and hepatocellular cancers and leukaemia, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting NF-kappaB and PI3K/AKT signalling (preclinical).
Symptomatic relief of the common cold and acute upper respiratory tract infection (reduces symptom severity and duration)
Immunostimulant / immune support
Symptomatic relief of the common cold and acute upper respiratory tract infection (reduces symptom severity and duration)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Bellflower extract promoted fibroblast wound healing in vitro (genus congener).
inferred from anti-inflammatory / traditional topical skin use
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from traditional gargle use for throat/mouth inflammation
inferred from genus Campanula traditional use for respiratory complaints
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Avoid in pregnancy and when trying to conceive: high doses have shown reproductive toxicity in animals and the herb has a traditional reputation as an abortifacient.
High doses have caused nephrotoxicity and reproductive toxicity in studies; use standardized products at recommended doses and avoid prolonged high-dose use.
Peach-leaved bellflower is chiefly an edible and ornamental plant, and very little is known about medicinal use or safety of the species specifically; there are no clinical data. Use culinary amounts, and avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The pharmacological data here are for the genus Campanula and related bellflower species, not for Campanula persicifolia itself; interpret with caution.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Erect, branching annual herb with a slender, quadrangular (square-sectioned), dark green stem. The leaves are opposite, lance-shaped and glabrous, with a short stalk. Small, two-lipped, white flowers with purple-pink markings are borne in loose, spreading axillary and terminal racemes. The whole plant, and especially the leaves, is intensely and characteristically bitter.[11]
An elegant perennial herb of the bellflower family, 30-90 cm tall, growing from a slender rhizome. It forms an overwintering rosette of narrow, leathery, finely-toothed leaves that resemble those of a peach tree (hence 'peach-leaved'); the few stem leaves are similar but smaller. The large, broad, open bell-shaped flowers - about 3-4 cm across, clear blue to lilac or white - are borne in a loose, one-sided spike in summer. Like other bellflowers it exudes a white latex when cut. It is widely grown as an ornamental garden perennial, and its young leaves and roots have historically been eaten.[1]
Habitat
Native to India and Sri Lanka and widely distributed through South and Southeast Asia, growing wild in plains, hillsides, roadsides and cultivated fields; also grown commercially as a medicinal crop.[11]
Open woodland, wood margins, scrub, hedge banks and dry to moist grassland across much of Europe and into western Asia; also very widely cultivated and naturalised as a garden ornamental. It favours well-drained soils in sun or light shade.[1]
Harvesting
The aerial parts (leaves and tender stems) are cut just before or at the onset of flowering, when andrographolide content is typically highest, and dried in shade to preserve the bitter diterpenoid lactones.[11]
Young leaves and shoots are gathered in spring for use as a salad or pot-herb (mild, faintly sweet, like other bellflowers and rampion); the flowers are gathered in summer, and the root can be dug in autumn. Chiefly a food and ornamental plant rather than a medicinal drug.[5]
Traditional Uses
Andrographis, the 'king of bitters', is a cornerstone bitter tonic of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine (Chuan xin lian), used for fevers, colds, sore throat, infections and liver complaints. This traditional reputation for treating the common cold and upper respiratory infections is now supported by clinical trials of standardised extracts.[10, 12]
Peach-leaved bellflower is primarily an edible and ornamental plant rather than a classical medicinal herb: its young leaves and roots have long been eaten as a wild salad green or pot-herb, in the same way as its relative rampion (Campanula rapunculus). Folk use of bellflowers (Campanula) includes a leaf or flower infusion as a gentle gargle and wash for sore throat and mouth inflammation, and topical use of the crushed herb on inflamed skin. More broadly, the genus Campanula has traditional records of use for inflammatory, respiratory and cardiovascular complaints, backed by its phenolic, flavonoid and triterpene chemistry.[1, 5]
Preparations
Dried aerial parts infused or lightly decocted in hot water as a very bitter traditional fever and cold remedy.
Dosage
Clinical trials for upper respiratory infection commonly use extracts standardised to around 60-120 mg andrographolide daily, in divided doses, for up to 5-7 days. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The WHO monograph on Herba Andrographidis gives, by indication - for the common cold, 1.5-3.0 g of the powdered crude drug three times daily, after meals and at bedtime; for pyrexia, a decoction from 3 g of the crude drug twice daily; for diarrhoea, a decoction from 3-9 g as a single dose as needed, or two 500 mg tablets four times daily. Note that the EMA HMPC assessed this herb and issued a public statement rather than a monograph, so there is no EU posology. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Lookalikes Review
Synonyms
Not documented
References & Sources
- Okonogi, R. and others (2023) 'Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata spray in acute pharyngitis: A randomized controlled trial', Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, 17(5), pp. 315-321. doi:10.5582/ddt.2023.01053 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.5582/ddt.2023.01053 - Hossain, S., Urbi, Z., Karuniawati, H., Mohiuddin, R.B. and others (2018) 'Overview of pharmacological activities of Andrographis paniculata and its major compound andrographolide', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 61(10), pp. 1635-1652. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1501657 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1501657 - Worakunphanich, W. and others (2021) 'Andrographis paniculata Formulations: Impact on Diterpene Lactone Oral Bioavailability', European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, 46(5), pp. 565-581. doi:10.1007/s13318-021-00736-7 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13318-021-00736-7 - Worakunphanich, W., Thavorncharoensap, M., Youngkong, S., Thakkinstian, A. and Chaikledkaew, U (2021) 'Safety of Andrographis paniculata: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 30(6), pp. 727-739. doi:10.1002/pds.5190 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.5190 - Kumar, S., Singh, B. and Bajpai, V (2021) 'Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees and its major constituent andrographolide as potential antiviral agents', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 274, pp. 113954. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.113954 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.113954 - Barbosa, F.L. and others (2021) 'Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees: An Updated Review of Phytochemistry, Antimicrobial Pharmacology, and Clinical Safety and Efficacy', Life, 11(4), pp. 348. doi:10.3390/life11040348 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/life11040348 - Singh, P. and others (2022) 'Andrographis paniculata mitigates first-line anti-tubercular drugs-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats', Biomarkers, 27(4), pp. 385-394. doi:10.1080/1354750X.2022.2043444 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/1354750X.2022.2043444 - Coon, J.T. and Ernst, E (2004) 'Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials', Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 29(1), pp. 37-45. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2710.2003.00534.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2710.2003.00534.x - Rondee, N. and others (2023) 'The Effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Wall. Ex Nees and Andrographolide on Neuroinflammation in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases', Nutrients, 15(15), pp. 3428. doi:10.3390/nu15153428 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153428 - Zeng, B., Wei, A., Zhou, Q., Yuan, M., Lei, K., Liu, Y., Song, J., Guo, L. and Ye, Q (2021) 'Andrographolide: A review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and clinical trials and pharmaceutical researches', Phytotherapy Research. doi:10.1002/ptr.7324 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7324 - Gonde, D.P., Bhole, B.K. and Kakad, K.S (2023) 'Andrographolide, diterpenoid constituent of Andrographis paniculata: Review on botany, phytochemistry, molecular docking analysis, and pharmacology', Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises. doi:10.1016/j.pharma.2023.10.001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharma.2023.10.001 - Hu, X.Y., Wu, R.H., Logue, M., Blondel, C., Lai, L.Y.W., Stuart, B., Flower, A., Fei, Y.T., Moore, M., Shepherd, J., Liu, J.P. and Lewith, G (2017) 'Andrographis paniculata (Chuan Xin Lian) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis', PLoS ONE. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181780 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181780 - World Health Organization (2002) 'Herba Andrographidis'. Available at: https://iris.who.int/items/6418d8af-5200-4e6b-9bf5-004f3aa62a37 Traditional / reference
https://iris.who.int/items/6418d8af-5200-4e6b-9bf5-004f3aa62a37 - Tundis, R. and Patra, J.K. and Bonesi, M. and Das, S. and Nath, R. and Das Talukdar, A. and Das, G. and Loizzo, M.R (2023) 'Anti-Cancer Agent: The Labdane Diterpenoid-Andrographolide', Plants, 12(10), pp. 1969. doi:10.3390/plants12101969 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101969 - Mishra, S.K. and Tripathi, S. and Shukla, A. and Oh, S.H. and Kim, H.M (2015) 'Andrographolide and analogues in cancer prevention', Frontiers in Bioscience (Elite Edition), 7(2), pp. 255-266. doi:10.2741/E732 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2741/E732 - Paul, S. and Roy, D. and Pati, S. and Sa, G (2021) 'The Adroitness of Andrographolide as a Natural Weapon Against Colorectal Cancer', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 731492. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.731492 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.731492 - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (n.d.) 'Andrographis (About Herbs)'. Available at: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/andrographis Traditional / reference
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/andrographis
- Alhage, J. and Rahman, A.A. and Al-Bayssari, C. and Raad, M.T (2025) 'Bioactive Compounds Isolated from the Campanula Genus: A Review', Molecules, 30(23), pp. 4495. doi:10.3390/molecules30234495 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30234495 - Dumlu, M.U. and Gurkan, E. and Tuzlaci, E (2008) 'Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Campanula alliariifolia', Natural Product Research, 22(6), pp. 477-482. doi:10.1080/14786410701640429 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786410701640429 - Sarikurkcu, C. and Kargin Solmaz, F.O. and Isitez, N. and Erdogmus, S.F (2026) 'Ultrasound-assisted aqueous extract of Campanula macrostachya enhances fibroblast repair via antioxidant and cytokine-modulatory mechanisms', Protoplasma, 263(4), pp. 1361-1372. doi:10.1007/s00709-026-02192-z Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-026-02192-z - Sarabandi, K. and Dashipour, A. and Izadi, Z. and Akbarbaglu, Z. and Katouzian, I. and Jafari, S.M (2023) 'Nutritional, biological, and structural properties of bioactive peptides from bellflower (Campanula latifolia), Persian-willow, and bitter-orange pollens', Journal of Food Science, 88(7), pp. 3119-3133. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.16658 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.16658 - Guarrera, P.M. and Savo, V (2016) 'Wild food plants used in traditional vegetable mixtures in Italy', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 185, pp. 202-234. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.050 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.050
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.