Natural Herb Library

Andrographis Leaf Powder

Chinese
穿心莲叶
Pinyin
Chuan Xin Lian Ye
Latin
Folium Andrographitis
Botanical illustration of Powder of Green Chiretta Leaves, Andrographis paniculata, showing leaf powder and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Chuan Xin Lian Ye (穿心莲叶), this bitter, cold herb enters the Heart, Lung, Large Intestine, and Urinary Bladder. Traditionally, it clears heat and resolves fire toxicity, especially for sore throat, respiratory infection, and toxic-heat inflammation affecting the upper burner, most often applied for upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. Modern research has identified Andrographolide among its active constituents.

Part used: Leaf

Also Known As

Green chiretta leaf powder Andrographis leaf

Latin: Folium Andrographitis | Pinyin: Chuan Xin Lian Ye | Chinese: 穿心莲叶

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cold
Channels
Heart, Lung, Large Intestine, Urinary Bladder

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears heat and resolves fire toxicity, especially for sore throat, respiratory infection, and toxic-heat inflammation affecting the upper burner.
  • Dries damp-heat from the intestines and lower burner, making the leaf powder useful in dysentery, diarrhea, urinary burning, and damp-heat toxicity patterns.
  • Cools the blood and reduces swelling when heat toxin presents with abscess, mastitis, or inflamed tissue.

Secondary Actions

  • IDENTITY NOTE: this record is the leaf-specific powder lane of Chuan Xin Lian, not a separate species from the whole-herb record `all-grass-of-common-androgrphis`.
  • Because the leaves concentrate bitter diterpenoids, leaf-powder preparations often feel even more intensely bitter than broader whole-herb material.

Classic Formulas

  • Chuan Xin Lian Pian, a modern single-herb patent lineage using Andrographis material for acute respiratory and inflammatory heat conditions.

Classical References

  • Traditional use follows the same heat-clearing and toxicity-resolving lane as Chuan Xin Lian generally, with emphasis on intensely bitter leaf material.
  • The leaf record should stay therapeutically aligned with the whole-herb record unless future source data clearly separates them.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Andrographolide
  • Neoandrographolide
  • 14-deoxyandrographolide derivatives
  • Leaf flavonoids and bitter diterpenes

Studied Effects

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis found Andrographis paniculata reduced symptom severity and duration in acute respiratory tract infections, which fits the classic upper-respiratory heat lane of Chuan Xin Lian Ye (PMID 28783743).
  • A narrative review summarized the broad anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor activities of andrographolide, the best-known active from Andrographis leaf material (PMID 34430627).
  • A 2022 pharmacology review further summarized andrographolide's pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and clinical research landscape, reinforcing the leaf drug's strong modern evidence compared with many neighboring stubs (PMID 34818697).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy
  • Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold
  • Wind-cold respiratory infection without heat

Cautions

  • The concentrated leaf powder is intensely bitter and cold and can aggravate digestive weakness when overused.
  • High-dose or prolonged use may raise tolerability and liver-safety concerns in susceptible patients.

Drug Interactions

  • Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs ... theoretical additive bleeding risk
  • Antihypertensive or glucose-lowering drugs ... possible additive effects

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Andrographis Leaf Powder used for?

Andrographis Leaf Powder is traditionally used to Clears heat and resolves fire toxicity, especially for sore throat, respiratory infection, and toxic-heat inflammation affecting the upper burner., Dries damp-heat from the intestines and lower burner, making the leaf powder useful in dysentery, diarrhea, urinary burning, and damp-heat toxicity patterns., Cools the blood and reduces swelling when heat toxin presents with abscess, mastitis, or inflamed tissue.. Research has investigated its effects on: A systematic review and meta-analysis found Andrographis paniculata reduced symptom severity and duration in acute respiratory tract infections, which fits the classic upper-respiratory heat lane of Chuan Xin Lian Ye (PMID 28783743).; A narrative review summarized the broad anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor activities of andrographolide, the best-known active from Andrographis leaf material (PMID 34430627)..

What are other names for Andrographis Leaf Powder?

Andrographis Leaf Powder is also known as Green chiretta leaf powder, Andrographis leaf. In TCM: 穿心莲叶 (Chuan Xin Lian Ye); Folium Andrographitis.

Is Andrographis Leaf Powder safe during pregnancy?

Andrographis Leaf Powder is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Andrographis Leaf Powder?

Andrographis Leaf Powder should not be used in: Pregnancy; Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold; Wind-cold respiratory infection without heat. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Andrographis Leaf Powder interact with any medications?

Andrographis Leaf Powder may interact with: Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs ... theoretical additive bleeding risk; Antihypertensive or glucose-lowering drugs ... possible additive effects. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.