Native to India and Sri Lanka, some cultures call the herb Manhatita, which literally translates to "King of Bitters."

Researchers from the Biotechnology Department of the Indian Institute of Technology, West Bengal, India, say Andrographis supports normal immune function through the work of its active components called andrographolides and arabinogalactan proteins. They said the herb showed "significant activity."Fitoterapia. 2003 Dec; 74(7-8):692-4.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, scientists at Erubuni Medical Centre, Yerevan, Armenia found Andrographis to be highly supportive of normal respiratory function. Phytomedicien. 2002 Oct.9(7):589-97.

Andrographis is considered one of the most bitter plants used in traditional healthcare. In fact, the plant is so bitter, in Malaysia, it is often called Hempedu Bumi," meaning "Bile of the Earth."