Delhi, with the onset of winter, is witnessing its worst air quality, attributed to pollution from waste, road dust, power plants, factories and transport gases. To combat the resulting respiratory problems, Luke Coutinho, a renowned holistic lifestyle coach and nutritionist, recommends a natural remedy in an Instagram post focused on Delhi’s respiratory health crisis.
Kalmegh, or Andrographis paniculata, is a traditional medicinal herb utilized in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine systems. Coutinho detailed the herb’s benefits on Instagram, but cautioned it was not a replacement for allopathic medicine. While it has been deployed for patients throughout lockdown, each case is unique, hence it hasn’t been widely shared on social media.
According to Coutinho, Kalmegh has multiple benefits like anti-inflammatory effects which can aid in reducing inflammation in the respiratory tract. It has mucolytic effects — thinning mucus helping its expulsion from the respiratory system for people with bronchitis or chronic respiratory infections. Its active compounds like andrographolide boost the immune system, enabling the body to fight respiratory infections often exacerbated by pollution. The herb has antioxidants that neutralize free radicals produced in response to pollution, protecting cells from oxidative stress linked to respiratory diseases and other issues caused by environmental pollutants.
The traditional medicine can be consumed by boiling its leaves. However, considering possible contraindications or selective efficacy, Coutinho recommends consulting with healthcare professionals before using Kalmegh, particularly in cases of severe respiratory conditions.
