Kalmegh Powder

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata, "King of Bitters") powder made from the ground herb

What is Kalmegh?

Kalmegh, also known as Andrographis paniculata, is often referred to as the "King of Bitters". This upright-growing plant, with its numerous leaves and small white flowers, may appear rather modest at first glance. While often considered a weed in Europe, it is highly valued in its native regions of South and Southeast Asia. Kalmegh thrives in warm, humid environments and would not easily adapt to our climate without human care.

For our products, we use only the aerial parts of the plant, inspired by the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. According to these traditions, the leaves, flowers, and stems contain the plant’s greatest potential.

To meet our strict purity standards, we carefully select only plants that meet our high-quality criteria.

Kalmegh in Ayurveda and TCM

Kalmegh is rich in a remarkable variety of compounds such as diterpenes, xanthones, and norcardioides. This explains why the "King of Bitters" is so highly valued in countries like India, Indonesia, China, and other parts of Asia.

In Ayurveda, Kalmegh has been used for over 2000 years and is even mentioned in some of the oldest texts. Ayurvedic practitioners traditionally use Kalmegh for persistent coughs, colds, chronic fatigue, and digestive complaints.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Andrographis paniculata also plays an important role in supporting the body’s defenses. It is primarily used to strengthen the lung meridians and to clear excess heat from the body. Experienced TCM practitioners also employ Kalmegh for various skin conditions.

Andrographis paniculata is also known to many readers through the works of Stephen Harrod Buhner on Lyme disease.

Ingredients

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) – whole herb

Note

We offer this powder as a raw plant material (food grade) without a specific intended use.