Medicinal Use of Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh) to Cure Fever in Meerut District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

This paper highlights the medicinal use of Andrographis paniculata to cure fever. In Indian folk tradition, medicinal uses of A. paniculata
have a long-standing reputation as a treatment for fever and were used to treat various disorders. It is also traditionally used to treat
other kinds of diseases, common cold, cough, fever due to several infective causes. Plant species belong to the family Acanthaceae and
are applied health tonic, as an antioxidant. It was applied as a decoction, infusion and tincture for the treatment in several ailments.
Within India, such folk tradition is widespread throughout all parts of nation. The reference regarding the medicinal use of A. paniculata
is given in Vedas and texts. Its vernacular name is given in Vedas as ‘Kalmegh’, which means dark clouds. The plant has an intense bitter
taste so ‘Kalmegh’ is also known as King of bitter.