Andrographis Spray for Sore Throat Relief: Study Results

Quick Summary: A recent study tested Andrographis paniculata spray on adults with sore throats from viral infections. It worked faster than chamomile spray to ease symptoms like pain, swallowing trouble, and cough, with relief coming in about 2 days. No side effects occurred, making it a safe option for quick comfort.

What The Research Found

Researchers wanted to see if Andrographis paniculata spray could help with acute viral pharyngitis—the medical term for a sudden sore throat caused by a virus. This common issue often clears up on its own, but symptoms can make daily life tough. Past studies showed Andrographis paniculata, a plant used in traditional medicine, helps with respiratory problems when taken by mouth. But swallowing it can cause stomach upset, so this study tested a throat spray to target the area directly without those risks.

Both the Andrographis spray and a chamomile spray (used as a comparison) reduced sore throat pain, trouble swallowing, and coughing. They also eased redness and swelling in the throat. The big win? Andrographis sped up recovery—symptoms lasted 1.9 days on average, compared to 2.5 days with chamomile. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.049), meaning it's unlikely due to chance. No one in either group had side effects, proving the spray is safe for short-term use.

Study Details

Who was studied: 60 adults with acute viral pharyngitis, meaning they had a sudden sore throat from a virus. Everyone rated their symptoms daily on a simple 0-10 scale (0 = no problem, 10 = worst ever). Doctors also checked throat redness and swelling on a 0-3 scale (0 = none, 3 = severe).
How long: The study lasted until symptoms improved, which took about 2 days for most people. Patients used the spray as needed and got checked daily.
What they took: Participants got either Andrographis paniculata spray or chamomile spray, sprayed directly into the throat. Doses weren't detailed, but it was a local treatment to avoid body-wide effects.

What This Means For You

If you get a viral sore throat, this study suggests trying an Andrographis paniculata spray could help you feel better faster—potentially half a day sooner than other herbal options like chamomile. It's great for busy people who want quick relief without pills that might upset your stomach. Always check with a doctor first, especially if symptoms last over a few days or you have other health issues. Look for over-the-counter sprays with this ingredient, but confirm it's from a trusted source. This could be a natural go-to for cold season woes.

Study Limitations

This was a small study with just 60 people, so results might not apply to everyone. It compared to chamomile (which also helps inflammation) instead of a plain spray, so we don't know if Andrographis is better than doing nothing. Exact spray strength wasn't shared, making it hard to match in real life. Plus, it only looked at short-term use—no info on repeat infections or long-term safety. More research with bigger groups is needed for stronger proof.

Key Findings

The study demonstrated that Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) throat spray significantly reduced symptom duration compared to chamomile spray in acute viral pharyngitis. Both treatments improved sore throat, swallowing difficulty, and cough severity (p < 0.05), but the A. paniculata group achieved symptom resolution in 1.9 ± 0.7 days versus 2.5 ± 1.2 days for chamomile (p = 0.049). No adverse events occurred in either group, supporting the safety of topical A. paniculata.

Study Design

This was a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial involving 60 adults diagnosed with acute viral pharyngitis. Participants self-reported symptom severity (sore throat, swallowing difficulty, cough) daily using an 11-point numeric rating scale (0–10). Physical examinations assessed erythema/swelling severity via a 4-point scale (0–3). Randomization assigned patients to A. paniculata spray or chamomile spray (positive control). Treatment continued until symptom resolution, with daily monitoring.

Dosage & Administration

The intervention used a topical throat spray formulation of A. paniculata. The exact concentration or active compound dose (e.g., andrographolide content) was not specified in the provided summary. Participants administered the spray locally to the throat as needed, with frequency details unreported.

Results & Efficacy

All symptoms showed significant improvement in both groups (p < 0.05). The key efficacy metric—time to symptom resolution—was 0.6 days faster with A. paniculata (1.9 ± 0.7 days) versus chamomile (2.5 ± 1.2 days), with statistical significance (p = 0.049). Physical examination scores (erythema/swelling) also improved significantly (p < 0.05) in both arms, though comparative effect sizes between groups were not quantified beyond resolution time.

Limitations

The study had three critical limitations: (1) Small sample size (n=60), reducing statistical power; (2) Lack of placebo control, as chamomile has known anti-inflammatory properties, potentially underestimating A. paniculata’s relative efficacy; (3) Unspecified A. paniculata concentration, hindering reproducibility. Demographics (e.g., age range, comorbidities) were not detailed, and long-term safety beyond acute treatment was unassessed. Future research requires larger trials with placebo arms and standardized dosing.

Clinical Relevance

For supplement users, this supports topical A. paniculata spray as a rapid, safe option for viral sore throat relief, potentially shortening illness duration by ~0.6 days versus an active comparator. The absence of systemic adverse events suggests it may avoid risks associated with oral A. paniculata (e.g., gastrointestinal effects). However, the lack of placebo comparison means benefits could partly reflect general spray effects (e.g., moisturization). Patients should consider it for mild viral pharyngitis but consult providers if symptoms persist beyond 3 days.