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Kalmegh

Kalmegh

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is a resilient plant with a long history of medicinal use. Known as "Rice Bitter" in the West Indies and "King of Bitters" or "Chiretta" in England, Kalmegh has been a staple in traditional medicine. The fresh and dried leaves are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The plant features quadrangular branches with narrow wings toward the apex.

Uses

Kalmegh is celebrated for its wide range of medicinal benefits, including:

  • Digestive Health: Promotes healthy digestion.
  • Hepatoprotective: Protects the liver and gall bladder.
  • Vermicidal: Eliminates intestinal worms and supports intestinal health.

  • Anti-Acne: Helps prevent and treat pimples.
  • Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammation and swelling, and decreases exudation from capillaries.
  • Expectorant: Encourages mucus discharge from the respiratory system.
  • Hypoglycemic: Lowers blood sugar levels and enhances immune function.
  • Laxative: Aids in bowel elimination.

Cultivation

Kalmegh can be cultivated in a variety of soils, from loamy to lateritic, with moderate fertility. It is adaptable to shady wastelands as well. The plant thrives in hot and humid conditions with plenty of sunshine. It grows vigorously with the onset of the monsoon and begins flowering around September, continuing until December in Northern plains, as temperatures drop.

Species Characteristics

Kalmegh is a bitter annual herb (or perennial if maintained) that grows erect to a height of 50 cm to 1 meter. The stem is quadrangular and highly branched. Leaves are opposite with short petioles, and flowers are arranged in racemes.

Marketing

The global demand for Kalmegh is increasing, making its cultivation essential. As a valuable medicinal plant, Kalmegh has a growing market both domestically and internationally. Given that natural sources are depleting due to overexploitation, cultivating Kalmegh is crucial for meeting the demand.

Harvesting

To maximize herb biomass, Kalmegh should be harvested within 90-100 days, after which the leaves start to shed. For crops planted in May-June, harvesting should occur by the end of September, when flowering begins. The active compound andrographolide is most concentrated in the leaves at this stage. Since the entire plant contains active principles, it is harvested, dried in the shade, and powdered.