Orthosiphon is medical flowers

Orthosiphon is a medicinal plant native to South East Asia and some parts of tropical Australia. It is an herbaceous shrub which grows to a height of 1.5 meters. Orthosiphon is a popular garden plant because of its unique flower, which is white and bluish with filaments resembling a cat's whiskers. In the wild, the plant can be seen growing in the forests and along roadsides.

Common names in Southeast Asia are Misai Kucing (Malaysia), Kumis Kucing and Remujung (Indonesia), and Yaa Nuat Maeo (Thailand). The scientific names are Orthosiphon stamineus Benth, Ocimum aristatum BI and Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume).

Medicinal uses

Orthosiphon is used for treating the ailments of the kidney, since it has a mild diuretic effect. It is also claimed to have anti-allergenic, anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties, and is commonly used for kidney stones and nephritis. Orthosiphon is sometimes used to treat gout, diabetes, hypertension and rheumatism. It is reportedly effective for anti-fungal and anti-bacterial purposes.

Research

Orthosiphon began to interest researchers early in the 20th century, when it was introduced to Europe as a popular herbal health tea.

Commercial products

Orthosiphon is available in many products treating for detoxification, water retention, hypertension, obesity or kidney stones. It comes in tablets, capsules, tea sachets, bottled drinks, raw herbs, dried leaves or extracts.

Orthosiphon stamineus, originates from tropical East Asia, is a pretty plant you can find in some people's gardens. Featuring long white or purple flowers with long stamens that looks just like a cat's whiskers . Easy to grow, quick to bloom, ethereal flowers and a real eye-catcher. It really makes a great addition for your garden. But the best part of this plant is not the flowers. This pretty plant is well known in south east asia as remedy for urinary system ailments and high blood pressure.

White Orthosiphon stamineus

In Indonesia, Malaysia and India this plant is long known as a medicinal herb. You can find it in easily in people's gardens ( and bushes too ) and they grow it for a good reason. This herb can help regulate blood sugar level. It's also mild diuretic which help to decrease blood pressure and improve removal of toxin from body. Ortoshiphon stamineus can also prevent and cure gout by flushing away acids accumulated in joints

Bladder stone, diabetes, gout rheumatism, kidney & urinary disorders, and high blood pressure are just some ailments this herb can cure. When combined with other herbs it can cure a wider range of ailments.

Indonesian call it kumis kucing and Malaysian named it malai kucing. Both has the same meaning "Cat's Whiskers".

Purple Orthosiphon stamineus

Skeptics of medicinal herb always shout about how dangerous herbs can be. So is this plant dangerous?

Yeah right...

For years thousands of people brewed this plant and drink it in the morning and afternoon just like tea ( thus the "Java Tea" ). I'm sure that will tell you just how "dangerous" this herb is.

If you want to brew your own Java Tea take about 25 grams of fresh leaflet (young leaves). Wash them clean and boil in two glasses of water for 15 minutes until reduced to one glass. Drink twice a day, half a glass in the morning and another in the afternoon. If you prefer you could also add honey or milk for better tasting tea.

If you doesn't have it in your garden or just prefer the simple way you can find quite a number of commercial product derived from cat whisker available in market. They come in sachets, capsule and other packaging. Sometimes they contain the combination cat's whiskers with Strobilanthes crispus (Kejibeling/Red Flame) and Sonchus arvensis (Sow Thistle). The combo attack from these tree herbs can really help getting rid of urinary problems and bladder stones too.

Doesn't have diabetes or urinary problems? You can still drink it too. About once or twice a week. This tea helps your kidney to cleanse your body from toxic and it almost never have any side effect. Just remember not to drink it excessively. Think of all medicinal herbs just like ordinary drugs. You should never drink too much of it.

A little warning here. Though it's very rare drinking this tea may have a slight side effects for some people. If you experience headaches and/or nausea after drinking the tea then stop. You may just drunk too much or your body just doesn't like it. It would be a good idea to see your doctor again and find other methods to cure your ailments.

So, if you could find a space in your garden why not add some cat's whiskers there. It's undoubtly pretty and you will have an everlasting stock of high blood pressure and urinary ailments medicine.