Java tea / Cat's whiskers

Orthosiphon aristatus

Other names: Java tea, cat's whiskers, kumis kucing (Indonesian/Malay), misai kucing, O. stamineus, Orthosiphonis folium

Edible plant

European

Photo credit: Jeevan Jose / Wikimedia Commons

Safety information

Toxicity: None known at therapeutic doses; acute oral toxicity studies of leaf extracts show a high safety margin.

Contraindications: Conditions requiring reduced fluid intake (oedema from cardiac/renal impairment). Not recommended under 18, or in pregnancy/lactation (insufficient data).

Interactions: None well documented; theoretical additive diuresis with diuretic drugs. Ensure adequate fluid intake.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: not recommended in pregnancy/lactation (insufficient data)

Evidence level

Traditional (systematized)

Documented in systematic traditional medicine literature.

Preparations

infusion · leaf

Part used: leaf

Traditional use: increase urine output, minor urinary-tract complaints, kidney/bladder complaints

Proposed mechanism: flavonoids, potassium salts - diuretic

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

minor urinary complaints urinary-tract irrigation renal gravel

Edibility

Edible parts: leaves consumed as a tea/beverage in Southeast Asia; not a food crop

Toxic lookalike warning

no notable toxic lookalike in its native cultivated context

Nutritional notes

rich in flavonoids (sinensetin, eupatorin), rosmarinic and caffeic acid derivatives, potassium salts

Healing traditions

European

Sources (2)

EMA - Community herbal monograph on Orthosiphon stamineus, folium (EMA/HMPC)
Phytochemical Screening and Acute Oral Toxicity of Java Tea Leaf Extracts (PMC, 2015)

All sources →