☯ TCM Properties
Clears Damp-Heat in the Kidneys, Liver and Gall Bladder and removes toxins; Clears Damp-Heat in the Bladder, promotes urination and reduces Kidney stones; Treats high blood pressure and relieves pain in rheumatoid arthritis
Traditional Chinese Uses
Mao Xu Cao (Herba Orthosiphonis) is the aerial part of Orthosiphon aristatus (syn. O. stamineus), a Lamiaceae herb known as Java tea or cat's whiskers and used in southern-Chinese, Malay and folk practice. Sweet, bland and bitter in flavour and cool in nature, entering the Kidney and Liver channels, it clears Damp-Heat and resolves toxicity, promotes urination, and eases the passage of stones.
It is used mainly for Damp-Heat of the Kidney, Liver and Bladder: painful, scanty or turbid urination, urinary tract infection and cystitis, and urinary and kidney stones, where its marked diuretic action helps flush the water passages and lower uric acid (as in gout). It is also taken for oedema and water retention, for Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder, and traditionally to support mildly raised blood pressure and rheumatic joint pain. Usually decocted or infused as a tea; prolonged high-dose use may deplete potassium.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Mao Xu Cao corresponds to Orthosiphon stamineus (synonym O. aristatus), a member of the mint family Lamiaceae known in English as Java tea or cat's whiskers, and in Malay as Misai Kucing. It is an erect perennial herb or low subshrub reaching 30 to 80 centimetres in height, with square stems often tinged purple. The opposite, ovate to rhomboid leaves are coarsely toothed and bear glandular hairs. The most distinctive feature is the inflorescence: terminal racemes of white or pale lilac two-lipped flowers from which extraordinarily long, slender, exserted stamens and a divided style project well beyond the corolla, resembling a cat's whiskers. The species is native to Southeast Asia, including southern China, and is widely cultivated as both an ornamental and a medicinal plant.
Active Constituents
Sinensetin
Polymethoxylated flavoneConcentration: Principal marker flavone of the leaves; used for standardisation
A lipophilic methoxyflavone regarded as a chief marker of Orthosiphon and identified among its diuretic-active constituents; also shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Eupatorin
Methoxylated flavoneConcentration: Major bioactive flavone of the aerial parts
Displays antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and can inhibit cytochrome P450 (e.g. CYP2C19), relevant to potential herb-drug interactions.
Rosmarinic acid
Caffeic acid derivative (phenolic acid)Concentration: Predominant phenolic acid of the leaves
A major antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenolic identified among the diuretic constituents; concentrates in the renal cortex in distribution studies.
3'-hydroxy-5,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (TMF)
Methoxylated flavoneConcentration: Characteristic leaf flavone
One of the four principal marker flavones of cat's whiskers, contributing to its antioxidant and vasoactive profile.
Triterpenes (betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid)
Pentacyclic triterpenoidsConcentration: Minor lipophilic constituents
Contribute anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective actions and add to the overall pharmacology of the plant.
Potassium salts
Inorganic mineral saltsConcentration: High mineral (potassium) content in the leaf
The abundant potassium content is thought to support the traditional diuretic use of the herb.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Lithium
Lithium is cleared unchanged by the kidney; a herb with diuretic activity may alter renal handling of sodium and water and thereby change lithium reabsorption, potentially raising lithium levels.
Clinical note: Monitor lithium levels if used concurrently; caution in patients on lithium.
Diuretics and antihypertensive drugs
The plant's own diuretic (with increased potassium excretion) and mild blood-pressure-lowering effects may add to those of pharmaceutical diuretics and antihypertensives.
Clinical note: Watch fluid balance, electrolytes and blood pressure when combined with these drugs.
CYP2C19 substrates
The constituent eupatorin can inhibit CYP2C19 in vitro, which could theoretically raise levels of drugs metabolised by this enzyme.
Clinical note: Consider potential enzyme inhibition with concentrated extracts; clinical relevance not established.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Infusion / herbal tea
Parts: Dried leaves and stem tips (aerial parts)
Dried cat's whiskers leaves are infused as a tea (commonly known as Java tea / Misai Kucing) and drunk for its diuretic effect on the urinary tract.
Decoction
Parts: Dried aerial parts
The aerial parts are decocted in water; in TCM the herb is boiled and taken to clear Damp-Heat and promote urination.
Standardised extract
Parts: Leaf extract
Aqueous or hydroethanolic leaf extracts standardised to marker flavones (e.g. sinensetin) are used in capsules and phytomedicine preparations.
Clinical Studies
Orthosiphon Versus Placebo in Nephrolithiasis with Multiple Chronic Complaints: A Randomized Control Trial
Patients with nephrolithiasis and multiple chronic complaints received Orthosiphon extract (equivalent to ~1.6-1.8 g dried leaves twice daily) or placebo for 14 days. Both groups improved by roughly one-half; when purine-rich food was restricted, Orthosiphon showed no significant additional benefit over placebo.
Historical Texts
Malay and Indonesian traditional medicine (Misai Kucing / jamu)
Traditional, pre-modern to presentJava tea in European phytotherapy
20th century onwardReferences
- Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Asmawi MZ, Ibraheem ZO, Yam MF. Orthosiphon stamineus: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology . Journal of Medicinal Food (2012) [DOI]
- Premgamone A, Sriboonlue P, Maskasem S, Ditsataporncharoen W, Jindawong B. Orthosiphon Versus Placebo in Nephrolithiasis with Multiple Chronic Complaints: A Randomized Control Trial . Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2009) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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