Scientific Evidence of Medicinal Properties

In pre-clinical trials, Cat's Whiskers showed pain-relieving (Yam et al., 2008), anti-cancer (Movahedi et al., 2015), anti-diabetic (Indariani et al., 2014), anti-inflammation (Yam et al., 2008), anti-microbial (Sarshar et al., 2017), antioxidant (Seyedan et al., 2017), and cholesterol-lowering properties (Seyedan et al., 2017) in animals.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Research supports the traditional use of Cat's Whiskers to treat diabetes and relieve pain. In India, Cat's Whiskers is taken in combination with Bitterweed (Andrographis paniculata) to treat diabetes.

According to Indonesian and Malaysian traditional medicine, bladder or kidney pain, gout, rheumatism and arteriosclerosis can be treated by drinking a decoction of leaves boiled in water. In Vietnamese traditional medicine, a plant infusion is used to treat influenza, hepatits, rheumatism, jaundice and fever, as well as stimulate urination.

It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. 

Indariani, S., Wijaya, H., Rahminiwati, M. & Wien Winarno, M. (2014). Antihyperglycemic activity of functional drinks based on Java Tea (Orthosiphon aristatus) in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. International Food Research Journal 21(1): 349–355.

Movahedi, A., Basir, R., Rahmat, A., Charaffedine, M. & Othman, F. (2015). Orthosiphon stamineus: An Asian tea with substantial anticancer properties. Journal of Nutritional Science and Dietetics 1(1): 44–52.

Sarshar, S., Brandt, S., Asadi Karam, M.R., Habibi, M., Bouzari, S., Lechtenberg, M., Dobrindt, U., Qin, X., Goycoolea, F.M. & Hensel, A. (2017). Aqueous extract from Orthosipon stamineus leaves prevents bladder and kidney infection in mice. Phytomedicine 28(15): 1–9.

Seyedan, A., Alshawsh, M.A., Alshagga, M.A. & Mohamed, Z. (2017). Antiobesity and lipid lowering effects of Orthosiphon stamineus in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Planta Med 83(8): 684–692.

Wiart, C. (2006). Medicinal Plants of the Asia-Pacific: Drugs for the Future?. Singapore: World Scientific Printers.

Yam, M.F., Asmawi, M.Z. & Basir, R. (2008). An investigation of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Orthosiphon stamineus leaf extract. Journal of Medicinal Food 11(2): 362–368.