Orthosiphon aristatus

Taxonomy
Phylum  : Tracheophyta
Class     : Magnoliopsida
Order    : Lamiales
Family   : Lamiaceae
Genus   : Orthosiphon
Species : Orthosiphon aristatus
                                                                                        

Common Name
Cat's Whiskers, Java Tea, Kumis Kucing, Misai Kucing, Remujung, Ruku Hutan.

Characteristics
It is a perennial herb measuring 25-200 cm in height, poorly branched, quadrangular and had an ascending stem.
                                                                                   

Morphology

Leaves
Oppositely decussate, the blade ovate or rhombic in shape, 2-9(-12) cm x 1.5-5 cm, cuneate at the base, acuminate at the apex, margin toothed-like, smooth or minutely pubescent, glandular-punctate. The petiole 0.5-2(-4.5) cm long and stipule is absent.

Inflorescences
An opposed cyme arranged in terminal racemes and measuring 7-29 cm long. the flowerprdicellate,calyx2.5-4.5 mm and up to 12 mm in fruit, bilibiate and gland-dotted.

Fruit
The fruit will split into 4 oblong-ovoid nutlets measuring 1.5-2 mm long with a brownish colour and rugose surface.
                                                                                     

Plant part used
Leaves
                                                                                     

Traditional Uses

• The species is planted as an attractive ornamental garden plant.
• It is also popularly used as a traditional and medication herb, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia to treat diabetes, kidney or renal stones and urinary disorders, high blood pressure, rheumatism, arteriosclerosis, nephritis and gout.
• It is also reportedly effective for anti-fungal and anti-bacterial purposes.
• Dried leaves can be brewed as a herbal tea or a tasty drink with honey or milk.

Medicinal used

• Anti-inflammatory activity- Orthosiphol A and orthosiphol B isolated from O. aristatus dried leaves inhibited the inflammation induced by tumor promoter.
• Antimicrobial activity- Extracts of O. aristatus showed antibacterial activity against both serotypes of Streptococcus mutans.

                                                                                   

List of Country
India, Indo-China and Thailand, through Malaysia to tropical Australia but uncommonin Borneo and Sulawesi.  

Red List Category
Not Evaluated (NE)                                                       

Muhammad Haqim bin Mohamad Zakariah

Muhammad Haqim bin Mohamad Zakariah

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