Orthosiphon stamineus
Orthosiphon stamineus is a herb that is widely grown in tropical areas. It is also known as Orthosiphon aristatus. The plant can be identified by its white or purple flowers bearing long, protruding stamens that resemble cats' whiskers. It is also commonly referred as "Misai Kucing" (Malaysian) or "Kumis Kucing"(Indonesian) which means cat whiskers.[1] The herb is popularly known as Java tea and is used widely in the form of herbal tea in Asia.[2] Java tea was possibly introduced to the West in the early 20th century. The brewing of Java tea is similar to that for other teas. It is soaked in hot boiling water for about three minutes, and honey or milk is then added. It can be easily prepared as garden tea from the dried leaves. There are quite a number of commercial products derived from Orthosiphon stamineus. Cultivation areas and post-harvesting method can significantly affect the quality of the herb.[1]
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Species: | O. stamineus |
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Phytochemicals isolated from the herb include terpenes, flavonoids, caffeic acid derivatives and essential oils.[2] Sinensetin is a polyphenol found in O. stamineus.
Extensive pharmacological investigations on various aqueous and non-aqueous extractives of O. stamineus were carried out to characterize its therapeutic potentials and benefits. Such evidence-based studies revealed that O. stamineus possesses several activities, which are attributed to its phytochemical content. It was found that O. stamineus exhibits diuretic, hypouricemic, renal protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-microbial, and anorexic activities.[3][4][1]It has been investigated in relation to osteoarthritis.[5]
- Orthosiphon stamineus in Malaysia
- Young leaves
- Dried leaves
- Pollen (electron micrograph)
References
- V.K., Gupta (2014). Traditional and Folk Herbal Medicine: Recent Researches Vol. 2. New Delhi: Daya Publishing House. pp. 153–187. ISBN 978-9351301080.
- Chai TT, Wong FC, Abd Manan F, Ooh KF, Mohd Ismail NI (2014). "Orthosiphon aristatus: A review of traditional uses, phytochemical profile, and pharmacological properties". In V.K. Gupta (ed.). Traditional and Folk Herbal Medicine: Recent Researches. 2 (1st ed.). New Delhi: Daya Publishing House. pp. 153–187.
- Ameer, Omar Ziad (2012). "Orthosiphon stamienus: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology: A Review". Journal of Medicinal Food. 15 (8): 678–690. doi:10.1089/jmf.2011.1973. PMID 22846075.
- Akowuah, G.A.; Ismail, Z.; Norhayati, I.; Sadikun, A. (2005). "The effects of different extraction solvents of varying polarities on polyphenols of Orthosiphon stamineus and evaluation of the free radical-scavenging activity". Food Chemistry. 93 (2): 311. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.09.028.
- Bokhari, Rubiatul Adawiyah; Tantowi, Nur Adeelah Che Ahmad; Lau, Seng Fong; Mohamed, Suhaila (2018-01-29). "Java Tea (Orthosiphon stamineus) protected against osteoarthritis by mitigating inflammation and cartilage degradation: a preclinical study". Inflammopharmacology. 26 (4): 939–949. doi:10.1007/s10787-017-0432-2. ISSN 1568-5608. PMID 29380171. S2CID 19775168.
- García-Morán, S. "Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2004". Retrieved 2 September 2019.