Now Foods, Andrographis Extract, 400 mg, 90 Veg Capsules

Now Andrographis gives you good bang for the buck and the product is as effective as other brands I've tried.Our family uses Andrographis during cold and flu season if we feel like we're getting sick. Unlike traditional adaptogens, you only take Andrographis when you start to feel a bit sick and, I was told to, only take it for up to two weeks. None of us have ever had to take it that long. We start to feel better within a day, we feel like we're pretty much over it in 3 - 4 days, and we give it 5 - 7 full days to be sure we're out of the woods.Andrographis is an Ayurvedic medicinal plant but unlike traditional adaptogens that (seem to magically) regulate systems that are off. Andrographis has adaptogenic properties - when there's inflammation, virus, or infection it works to suppress the inflammation, virus, and/or infection, which is just what the herbal medicine doctor ordered during cold and flu season. Andrographis is also good for your liver and inflammatory diseases like arthritis. There are MANY more incredible abilities of this plant/herb and it's worth some investigation (good info at selfhacked dot com) to see if it might benefit you or a loved one.I've taken it in tablet form, capsule, and a kind of caplet formulation. I don't know what would be considered more effective/acceptable from the perspective of an Ayurvedic practitioner (?) but when I'm sick I really prefer a caplet. The Now product is a tablet and normally it wouldn't bother me but when I'm sick a tablet a bit on the large side, with an unappealing look kind of turns my stomach but I'll take it in whatever form I have it because I know I'll feel better. The others don't care one way or another. The smell and taste are no problem.It's my understanding that andrographis is the most widely studied Ayurvedic herb as well as the most diverse and most widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. When I first looked into this herb pharmaceutical companies were very interested in utilizing the properties of the plant. I hate to see that happen because it's that type of exploitation that will lead to herbs and supplements being regulated - so big pharma can profit from them as much as possible. On the other hand, if it could cure a terrible disease, well then by all means. But aren't we regulated to the gills already? Not only that, when the gov't wants something, they use fear and propaganda to get what they want (as in the current "crisis"). Now and other supplement companies have been doing this for a LONG time, let them continue to do what they do best.I highly recommend Andrographis, esp to anyone who tends to get sick whenever something's going around.Side note:Adaptogens are my favorite herbs because they zero in on what's off in the body and work with your system to heal it.(Along with cannabis which is an incredibly diverse and beautiful medicinal plant.)

Amazing supplement. I use this mostly on an as-needed basis any time I feel like my allergies are acting up. Its also my go-to when I am sick. It's been a game changer in my life. Can HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

I frequently feel like I am on the verge of getting a cold. So I start to pop these, and it usually feel better in a short time

Only reason for not giving 5 stars is getting itchy palms. As long as I don't take one every day, it's all good. Tried it because I read it could help with seasonal fatigue from allergies. Has worked wonders for me. No longer tired all the time.

This is my husband's review: This is a strong herb, I can feel its effect several hours after I take it, more tired the next day. I believe it has helped stop a few bugs from taking hold. I take it even after a bug has taken hold to try to shorten the duration because - hey, I have to do something to make the misery stop. I discovered, though, that in addition to being anti-bacterial and anti-viral it's anti-fungal. So if you're sensitive to intestinal yeast die-off and you continue to take andrographis more than a few days after onset you may think you have a lingering flu but instead be having a Herxheimer reaction. I'm writing this because I wish I'd known this undesired effect a few years ago. I appreciate that it’s affordable and that it doesn’t have magnesium stearate, which I’m quite sensitive to.