Andrographis

I rarely get sick, in fact I have been told by a specialist at a medical research foundation that I have what is called a "super immune system" and have more NK (Natural Killer) cells than the average person, and I will most likely never get sick, or at least not feel the effect as much as others do because of the immune system I have.

It's a long story as to why he knows this, really has nothing to do with this anyway, and will just make you hate me, so I will not elaborate.

A huge part of why I don't get sick is that I take care of my fine piece of machinery, I eat right, get sufficient rest, exercise regularly, I don't take drugs, rarely drink alcohol and I ensure I get proper nutrition through supplementation.

I believe the last time I was "sick" was over a year ago. I am getting sick now though and I can tell because I have a sore throat and that is where I first notice it. I have been burning the candle at both ends, I should have taken a week off after my competition and did not, so my body needs a rest. I have been tackling two jobs at work due to lack of staffing and my personal life has been rather stressful the last couple weeks.

As soon as I feel a sore throat coming on I start taking Andrographis, 800 mg three times a day. I start immediately and then continue for 5 days after I feel better. This is a miracle cure. I will never feel the full effects of any illness, and many people will not even notice I am ill, they mainly notice I am not as perky as usual, that's about it.

What is Andrographis? Andrographis is a shrub found throughout India and other Asian countries that is sometimes called "Indian echinacea." It has been used historically in epidemics, including the Indian flu epidemic in 1919 during which andrographis was credited with stopping the spread of the disease.

It is widely cultivated in southern Asia, where it is used to treat infections and some diseases, often being used before antibiotics were created. Mostly the leaves and roots were used for medicinal purposes.

Reasonably good evidence tells us that this extract can reduce the severity of cold symptoms. It may also help prevent colds.

Since ancient times, it has been used in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic systems of medicine as well as in tribal medicine in India and some other countries for multiple clinical applications. The plant extract exhibits antityphoid and antifungal activities. It is also reported to possess antihepatotoxic, antibiotic, antimalarial, antihepatitic, antithrombogenic, antiinflammatory, anti-snake venom, and antipyretic properties to mention a few, besides its general use as an immunostimulant agent. A recent study conducted at Bastyr University, confirms the anti-HIV activity of andrographolide.

Several double-blind clinical trials have found that andrographis can help reduce symptom severity in people with common colds. Though the earliest clinical trial among these showed modest benefits, later studies have tended to be more supportive. Standardized andrographis extract combined with eleuthero (Siberian ginseng), known as Kan jang, has also been shown in a double-blind clinical trial to reduce symptoms of the common cold.

I used to buy Andrographis and Ginseng and take them together, but later stopped and now only take Andrographis when I am starting to feel ill. I am never without it in my cupboard, and will order more now that this bottle is getting low, as you must start taking it immediately at the onset of a cold.

As with anything else I discuss here, you must be consistent with it,you cannot take a morning dose then forget the next two and expect it to work.

Give it a try, you will be amazed.