King of Bitter (andrographis paniculata) is a common plant (or weed?) found throughout South East Asia, and India. Its Malay name is hempedu bumi. A decoction of its leaves is used for treatment of high blood pressure and for treatment of diabetes. The bitterness of the decoction also leads herbalists to believe the plant is useful for liver ailments also. A neighbor gave a cutting for me and eversince I have been keen on breeding the plant. As a weed its quite hardy, able to withstand tropical dry and hot weather. Sometimes I forget to water it and although it looks wimpy then, yet the plant soldiers on. After I water it - very quickly it seems to regain its rigors.
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