Interesting tidbit. Thanks a bunch.

Looks as though you're right. S'pose I shoulda' thunk to check wiki before posting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrographis_paniculata


Andrographis paniculata, the Kalmegh of the Ayurveda, is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in taste in each and every part of the plant body. The plant is known in north-eastern India as ‘Maha-tita’, literally ‘king of bitters’, and known by various vernacular names (see the table below). It is also known as ‘Bhui-neem’, since the plant, though much smaller in size, has a similar appearance and has the same bitter taste as that of Neem (Azadirachta indica).

Yes. Absolutely bitter. And it doesn't go away very quickly. The taste can last through a meal. So, it works as a digestive bitter as well as the other great things that it does for health.