False Waterwillow (Gopuram Thangi)

Andrographis echioides is a small, erect annual herb of the acanthus family with hairy stems, narrow leaves and small white flowers marked with purple. It grows in dry, open land across South India, including Tamil Nadu, and is known in Tamil as Gopuram thangi.

Its properties are considered similar to those of kalmegh. The whole plant has traditionally been used in bitter preparations for general wellness and digestive comfort in Siddha and folk practice.