Orthosiphon aristatus, commonly known as cat's whiskers or Java tea, is a plant species in the family Lamiaceae (also known Labiatae). The plant is a medicinal herb found mainly throughout southern China, the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia, and tropical Queensland, Australia.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesTanaka, N., Koyama, T. & Murata, J. (2005). The flowering plants of Mt. Popa, central Myanmar - Results of Myanmar-Japanese joint expeditions, 2000-2004. Makinoa 5: 1-102.Suddee, S., Paton, A.J. & Parnell, J.A.N. (2005). Taxonomic Revision of the tribe Ocimeae Dumort (Lamiaceae) in continental South East Asia III. Ociminae. Kew Bulletin 60: 3-75.Khanam, M. & Hassan, M.A. (2008). Lamiaceae. Flora of Bangladesh 58: 1-161. Bangladesh National Herbarium, Dhaka. As a medical herb, it is used for increasing excretion of urine, lowering uric acid, protecting kidney, reducing oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, protecting liver, protecting stomach, lowering blood pressure, ameliorating diabetes, ameliorating hyperlipidemia, fighting microorganisms and fighting anorexia. It is known as in Indonesia and misai kucing in Malaysia, both of which translate to cat's whiskers.
Orthosiphon aristatus is used in landscaping to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to its nectar.Cat's Whiskers Plant Excellent For Attracting Bees, Butterflies and Hummingbirds To Home Landscape
Varieties Orthosiphon aristatus var. aristatus - most of species range Orthosiphon aristatus var. velteri Suddee & A.J.Paton - Vietnam
References
External links Taxonomy browser (Orthosiphon aristatus) Orthosiphon aristatus information from NPGS/GRIN