Andrographis Paniculata, Kalmegh - 0.5 kg Seeds

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), often called "king of bitters" or green chiretta, is an erect annual herb of the acanthus family rather than a tree, growing 30-100 cm tall with slender quadrangular stems, lance-shaped leaves and small white flowers marked with purple. It is famously intensely bitter in every part. The plant is native to the plains of India and Sri Lanka and is cultivated and found wild across the country, from the moist tropics to dry scrub.

It is one of the most important medicinal herbs in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems, where the whole bitter plant is used for fevers, liver disorders, colds and as an immune and digestive tonic. It is grown commercially as a rainfed medicinal crop, harvested at flowering when the active andrographolides peak, and is also used in modern herbal and nutraceutical preparations.

• Family: Acanthaceae
• Native region: Indian subcontinent
• Mature height: 0.3-1 m
• Growth rate: Fast

Sowing the seed: the seeds are tiny and have a hard coat, so a short soak in water for 6-12 hours before sowing improves and evens out germination. Surface-sow or barely cover the seed in a fine, moist nursery mix and keep it warm and shaded; germination takes about 14-21 days and can be erratic. Transplant the young seedlings to the field with the onset of the monsoon, spacing them about 30 cm apart.