Orthosiphon: Uses, medicine, Synonyms, Effects, and Side Effects

Cat’s Beard is native to tropical Asia, particularly Malaysia and Australia. The plant is grown in Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Georgia – the drug material also comes from these countries.

The dried leaves of the Cat’s whisker (Orthosiphonis folium) are used in herbal medicine.

Orthosiphon: Characteristics

Orthosiphon, or Cat’s Beard, is a perennial plant that grows up to 80 cm tall. It has opposite, distinctly toothed, hairy leaves on short purple stalks.

The flowers are white or light purple. Particularly striking are the thread-like stamens that protrude very far in the middle of the flowers, to which the plant also owes the name “cat’s beard”.

 

Peculiarities of orthosiphon leaves

Orthosiphon leaves are about 2-7 cm long, acuminate, and short-stalked. The edge is serrated, and the leaf veins can be seen. The leaves are a rich green on the upper side, while the green on the underside is a little lighter and greyer. The petioles are four-edged and brownish-purple in colour.

Orthosiphon leaves give off a very faint aromatic odour. The taste of the leaves is slightly salty, somewhat bitter and astringent.

Correct use of Orthosiphon

Orthosiphon leaves are used in diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys. The plant is a component of flushing therapies to treat bacterial diseases and inflammation of the urinary tract and kidneys.

Cat’s Beard is used as a diuretic for urinary tract infections, cystitis, irritable bladder and inflamed mucous membranes of the urinary tract and kidneys (bladder or kidney catarrh). The plant can also provide relief for chronic kidney and bladder infections.

In addition, accumulations of small kidney stones (kidney gravel) can be treated with orthosiphon sheets as a preventive measure.

 

Orthosiphon in folk medicine and homeopathy

Traditionally, a Cat’s Beard is generally used “to support the excretory function of the kidneys”. Orthosiphon leaves have been used in Southeast Asia for centuries to treat bladder and kidney ailments. Rarely is the plant used in folk medicine for gout.

In homoeopathy, too, Cat’s Beard is mainly used for urinary tract infections and inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and the urinary tract.

Ingredients of Orthosiphon

The ingredients determining the effectiveness include flavonoids such as sinensetin and euphoria and a complex essential oil with predominantly sesquiterpenes. About 3% of potassium salts, caffeic acid derivatives, diterpenes and some triterpenes also occur.

 

Orthosiphon: what indication?

Areas of application of Orthosiphon are:

• flushing therapy
• bacterial diseases of the urinary tract
• Urinary tract infection
• urinary tract infection
• cystitis
• bladder catarrh
• Repeatedly
• chronic kidney inflammation
• kidney semolina
• small kidney stones
• renal catarrh

Orthosiphon: correct dosage

Cat’s Beard is contained in numerous tea preparations in the “bladder and kidney tea” group. The plant is often found in combination with birch leaves and goldenrod. Furthermore, orthosiphon leaves can be found in various combination preparations for the “Urologica” indication, for example, in capsules, dragees or tablets.

 

Average daily dose

Unless otherwise prescribed, the average daily dose is 6-12 g of the drug.

Orthosiphon – Preparation as a tea

To prepare a tea from Orthosiphon leaves, 2-3 g of the finely chopped leaves (1 teaspoon corresponds to about 1 g) are poured over with boiling water and covered for 5-20 minutes. The whole thing is then passed through a tea strainer.

One cup of tea should be drunk several times a day to achieve a therapeutic effect.

 

Contraindications: when not to use Orthosiphon?

Katzenbart should not be used for oedema (water retention in the tissue) that can be attributed to impaired heart and kidney function.

During pregnancy and lactation, the drug should only be taken after consulting a doctor.

special instructions

During treatment with orthosiphon leaves, it is essential to ensure sufficient fluid intake: During the flushing therapy, at least 2 litres of fluid should be consumed daily, but no drinks containing caffeine or alcohol.

The leaves should be stored dry and protected from light.

Orthosiphon – Synonyme

German plant name: Orthosiphon

German synonyms of the plant: Cat’s Beard, Indian Kidney Tea Plant, Indian Kidney Tea, Java Tea, Javanese Kidney Tea

Latin plant name: Orthosiphon aristatus

Latin synonyms of the plant: Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq., Orthosiphon stamineus Benth., Ocymum grandiflorum Bl., Orthosiphon spicatus (Thunb.) Bak.

German drug name: Orthosiphonblätter

German synonyms of the drug: cat beard

Latin drug name: Orthosiphon leaf

English name: Java tea, Kidney tea plant, Long-stamened orthosiphon, Cat’s whiskers

Plant family Latin: Lamiaceae

Plant family German: mints

 

Orthosiphon and its effect

Aqueous extracts from Cat’s whisker have a significant diuretic effect, for which the flavonoids, triterpenes and saponins are mainly responsible. These increase the blood flow to the kidneys, leading to increased urination.

It is also possible that the relatively high potassium content is responsible for the diuretic effect.

 

What other effects does Orthosiphon have?

In addition, the ingredients mentioned also have a disinfecting effect and reduce the number of germs by around two powers of ten.

Sinensetin also inhibits a specific enzyme responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory mediators. This has an anti-inflammatory effect.

A slightly antispasmodic and ureter dilating effect of Cat’s Beard is also discussed. This could explain why smaller kidney stones are flushed out with the urine. The antispasmodic properties are mainly attributed to the flavonoids and essential oils.

Orthosiphon: What are the side effects?

There are currently no known side effects or interactions with other drugs.