About Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq.
Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq., commonly called cat's whiskers or Java tea, is a plant species in the family Lamiaceae, which is also known as Labiatae. It is a medicinal herb that grows mainly across southern China, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and tropical Queensland, Australia.
As a medicinal herb, Orthosiphon aristatus is used to increase urine excretion, lower uric acid levels, protect the kidneys, reduce oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, protect the liver, protect the stomach, lower blood pressure, improve diabetes, improve hyperlipidemia, fight microorganisms, and address anorexia. In Indonesia it is called kumis kucing, and in Malaysia it is called misai kucing — both names translate to cat's whiskers. Orthosiphon aristatus is also used in landscaping to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to its nectar.
Two varieties of this species are recognized: Orthosiphon aristatus var. aristatus, which is found across most of the species' full range, and Orthosiphon aristatus var. velteri Suddee & A.J.Paton, which occurs in Vietnam.
