Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Andrographis vs Bay-leaf willowherb
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 Bay-leaf willowherb: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), infection (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Andrographis | Bay-leaf willowherb | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Andrographis |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Andrographis |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Andrographis |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Andrographis |
| Wounds | 5/10 | 1/10 | 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
Characteristic Epilobium polyphenols underlying the anti-inflammatory and prostate activity; a genus review identifies oenothein B as the dominant constituent and likely driver of the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and antioxidant effects.
Antioxidant constituents.
Sterols associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia support.
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).
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
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate support) - a genus Epilobium review notes traditional BPH use attributed mainly to oenothein B, though clinical evidence is not yet conclusive
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Antibacterial, including against Escherichia coli (urinary support); Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate support) - a genus Epilobium review notes traditional BPH use attributed mainly to oenothein B, though clinical evidence is not yet conclusive
Supports lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate support) - a genus Epilobium review notes traditional BPH use attributed mainly to oenothein B, though clinical evidence is not yet conclusive
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.
Lower urinary tract / prostate symptoms must be medically assessed first to exclude prostate cancer; willowherb is a supportive measure, not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment.
Well tolerated over three months in clinical use; longer-term safety data are limited.
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]
Slender, softly hairy perennial herb with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and small, four-petalled, pale pink to lilac flowers with a notched tip, borne singly in the upper leaf axils. After flowering, long, narrow seed pods split to release cottony-tufted seeds, typical of the willowherb genus.[13]
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]
Grows in damp meadows, ditches, streamsides and waste ground on moist soils; native to Europe and temperate Asia.[13]
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]
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[13]
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]
Small-flowered willowherb, along with related Epilobium species, has a Central European folk tradition as a supportive remedy for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis, and as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory herb for minor infections; the traditional prostate-support use is attributed mainly to its oenothein B content, though robust clinical evidence remains limited.[13]
Preparations
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.
The EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-2.0 g of the comminuted herb in 250 mL of boiling water as an infusion, twice daily, in adults and elderly; long-term use is possible. Lower urinary tract or prostate symptoms should always be medically assessed first, and the monograph directs that a doctor be consulted if fever, spasms, blood in the urine, painful urination or urinary retention occur. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
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
- Vitalone, A. and Allkanjari, O (2018) 'Epilobium spp: Pharmacology and Phytochemistry', Phytotherapy Research, 32(7), pp. 1229-1240. doi:10.1002/ptr.6072 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6072 - Cicero, A.F.G., Allkanjari, O., Busetto, G.M., Cai, T. et al (2019) 'Nutraceutical treatment and prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer', Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia, 91(3), pp. 139-152. doi:10.4081/aiua.2019.3.139 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2019.3.139 - Vlase, A.M., Toiu, A., Gligor, O., Muntean, D. et al (2024) 'Investigation of Epilobium hirsutum L. Optimized Extract's Anti-Inflammatory and Antitumor Potential', Plants (Basel), 13(2), pp. 198. doi:10.3390/plants13020198 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13020198 - Granica, S., Piwowarski, J.P., Czerwinska, M.E. and Kiss, A.K (2014) 'Phytochemistry, pharmacology and traditional uses of different Epilobium species (Onagraceae): a review', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 316--346. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.08.036 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.08.036 - Ramstead, A.G., Schepetkin, I.A., Quinn, M.T. and Jutila, M.A (2012) 'Oenothein B, a cyclic dimeric ellagitannin isolated from Epilobium angustifolium, enhances IFN-gamma production by lymphocytes', PLoS One, 7(11), pp. e50546. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050546 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0050546 - Kiss, A.K., Bazylko, A., Filipek, A., Granica, S., Jaszewska, E., Kiarszys, U., Kosmider, A. and Piwowarski, J (2011) 'Oenothein B's contribution to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Epilobium sp', Phytomedicine, 18(7), pp. 557-560. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.10.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.10.016 - Schepetkin, I.A., Kirpotina, L.N., Jakiw, L., Khlebnikov, A.I., Blaskovich, C.L., Jutila, M.A. and Quinn, M.T (2009) 'Immunomodulatory activity of oenothein B isolated from Epilobium angustifolium', Journal of Immunology, 183(10), pp. 6754-6766. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.0901827 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.0901827 - Ducrey, B., Marston, A., Gohring, S., Hartmann, R.W. and Hostettmann, K (1997) 'Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase and aromatase by the ellagitannins oenothein A and oenothein B from Epilobium species', Planta Medica, 63(2), pp. 111-114. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957624 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957624 - Schepetkin, I.A., Ramstead, A.G., Kirpotina, L.N., Voyich, J.M., Jutila, M.A. and Quinn, M.T (2016) 'Therapeutic potential of polyphenols from Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)', Phytotherapy Research, 30(8), pp. 1287-1297. doi:10.1002/ptr.5648 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5648 - Merighi, S., Travagli, A., Tedeschi, P., Marchetti, N. and Gessi, S (2021) 'Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Epilobium parviflorum, Melilotus officinalis and Cardiospermum halicacabum plant extracts in macrophage and microglial cells', Cells, 10(10), pp. 2691. doi:10.3390/cells10102691 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10102691 - Hevesi Toth, B., Blazics, B. and Kery, A (2009) 'Polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacity of Epilobium species', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 49(1), pp. 26-31. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2008.09.047 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2008.09.047 - Vitalone, A., McColl, J., Thome, D., Costa, L.G. and Tita, B (2003) 'Characterization of the effect of Epilobium extracts on human cell proliferation', Pharmacology, 69(2), pp. 79-87. doi:10.1159/000072360 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1159/000072360 - Steenkamp, V., Gouws, M.C., Gulumian, M., Elgorashi, E.E. and van Staden, J (2005) 'Studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of herbal remedies used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2005. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.007 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.007 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Epilobium angustifolium L. and/or Epilobium parviflorum Schreb., herba'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-epilobium-angustifolium-l-andor-epilobium-parviflorum-schreb-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-epilobium-angustifolium-l-andor-epilobium-parviflorum-schreb-herba_en.pdf - Coulson, S., Rao, A., Beck, S.L., Steels, E., Gramotnev, H. and Vitetta, L (2013) 'A phase II randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation (containing Epilobium parviflorum) for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy', Complementary Therapies in Medicine. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2013.01.007 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2013.01.007
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.