Botanical Name

Andrographis paniculata

Family

Acanthaceae

Sanskrit name

Bhunimba

English name

Indian bitter plant

Hindi name

Chirata/ Kalmegh

Kannada name

Nela bevu

Habit

Herb

Habitat

grows on moist shady places

Plant Description

Perennial erect herb.Stem is slender. Leaves are elliptic measuring upto 8cm long. Flowers are small , white with purple striations on the lower lip. Fruit is a capsule upto 2 cm long with brownish seeds.

Distribution

Tropical Asian countries

Part used

Whole plant

Medicinal uses

Fever, skin infections, poison bite, intestinal worm infestation, liver disorders

Propagation

Seeds and stem cutting.