© Rison Thumboor from Thrissur, India · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Java tea (Cat's whiskers)
Katzenbart (Indischer Nierentee, Java-Tee) · (Orthosiphon aristatus)
Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Description
Orthosiphon aristatus (synonym: Orthosiphon stamineus) is a perennial tropical herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to southern and Southeast Asia and northeastern Australia. Its most striking feature is the very long, white to pale lilac stamens that project well beyond the two-lipped flowers, giving the plant its name 'cat's whiskers' (Indonesian 'kumis kucing', Malay 'misai kucing'). The medicinal part is the leaf (Orthosiphonis folium), dried and drunk as a tea to flush the urinary tract. The leaves contain lipophilic flavones, caffeic acid derivatives such as rosmarinic acid, and abundant potassium salts, and act as a mild diuretic (aquaretic).
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age is not recommended due to a lack of adequate data.
- TeaLeafInternalTraditional use
Traditional herbal medicinal product used to increase the amount of urine in order to flush the urinary tract, as an adjuvant in minor urinary tract complaints. Its use is based exclusively on long-standing tradition.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 2-3 g of dried cat's whiskers leaves, cover and steep for about 10 minutes, then strain. Drink 2-3 cups per day (daily dose 6-12 g). Important: for the intended flushing effect an ample fluid intake of at least 2 litres per day is required. Do not use for flushing therapy in cases of fluid retention (oedema) resulting from impaired heart or kidney function.
- Dry amount
- 2–3 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — According to the EMA monograph, use is not recommended in children and adolescents under 18 years of age due to a lack of adequate data.
🤝 Permaculture Partners
In your garden, this plant acts as: