HERBAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS - 38. Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh)

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees, family Acanthaceae) is commonly known as 'King of Bitters', Maha-tita or Bhui-neem as the plant, though much smaller in size, shows similar appearance and bitter taste as that of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.). It is distributed in tropical Asian countries, often in isolated patches. It can be found in a variety of habitats, e.g. plains, hill slopes, wastelands, farms, dry or wet lands, sea shores and even road side. It has been used as medicinal herb for centuries in several traditional systems of medicine all over the world.