CAT'S WHISKERS
A gorgeous plant also known as 'The Kidney Plant'
Cat’s Whiskers (Orthosiphon Aristatus) is an herbal plant with flowers that have protruding hairs that resemble the whiskers of a cat. It grows mostly in Southeast Asian countries like China, Thailand, Taiwan and the Philippines, and to some extent in Australia, Fiji and Samoa. In the herbal market, Cat’s Whiskers is popularly known as Java tea.
Other common names for this gorgeous plant belonging to the mint family incude - Balbas Pusa, kidney plant, Indian kidney tea, Kabling-parang, Mao xu cao, pokok misai kucing and Yaa-nuat-maeo.
Health benefits
• Urinary tract: acute and chronic kidney infections, bladder infections, urinary tract infections, frequent urination, bladder stones
• Anti-oxidant
• Anti-inflammatory: rheumatism, back pain, kidneys, gout
• Diuretic
• Antispasmodic
• Anti-microbial: kidneys, respiratory (coughs / colds), bladder
• Anti-fungal
• Uric acid, phosphate, oxalate removal: kidneys, bladder, gall bladder
• Diabetes: lowers blood sugar levels
• Hypertension
• Cellulite
Warnings: Allergic reactions are suspected but not proven. Long term usage of Cat's Whiskers may lead to low sodium levels in the body. Avoid during pregnancy or while using diuretics.