Benefits of Cat’s Whiskers for Health

Cat’s whiskers can generally be found in the southern region of China, India, Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore as well as in the Australian region in the tropical region of Queensland. As an herbal plant, Cat’s whiskers or also known as Java Tea was most likely brought to western countries in the early 20th century.

This plant is an annual plant that can reach up to 1 meter in height with white flowers and stamens that look like whiskers as long as 5 cm. Its Latin name is Orthosiphon aristatus or Orthosiphon stamineus and is also known as Kumis Kucing, Kidneys Tea Plant, or Java Tea.

Cat's whiskers is known to have several health benefits. Among them are:

• Scientifically, especially in pre-clinical trials, this plant has shown its efficacy as a pain reliever, anti-cancer drug, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antioxidant

• Can help reduce cholesterol in animals

• In traditional medicine especially in India, cat's whiskers are usually combined with Bitterweed or Andrographis paniculate to treat diabetes

• According to Indonesian and Malaysian traditional medicine, bladder or kidney pain, gout, rheumatism or arthritis and arteriosclerosis can be treated by drinking cat's whiskers leaves boiled in water.

• In traditional Vietnamese medicine, an infusion of the cat's whiskers plant is used to treat influenza, hepatitis, rheumatism, jaundice and fever, as well as stimulate urination

• A study has successfully proven that the anti-arthritic properties of the cat's whiskers plant can be beneficial for the prevention and management of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory disorders.