Balbas-pusa leaves
are well known for its anti-hypertensive qualities due to its high percentage
of potassium and a bitter alkaloid, orthosiphonin plus methylpariochromene (MRC). Vasodilating
action, decrease in cardiac output, and diuretic action when given to
stroke-prone hypertensive rats (Matsubara et al, 1999, Ohashi et al, 2000).
Scientific Name: Orthosiphon aristatus. Also knows as: Balbas-pusa (Filipino); Kabling-parang (Pilipino);
Yaa-nuat-maeo (Thailand); Cat's whisker (English); Indian kidney tea (English);
Java tea (English); Kidney tea (English); Mao xu cao (Chinese); pokok misai
kucing (Malay). Cat's whisker or Balbas pusa (Orthosiphon aristatus) is a
tropical herbaceous perennial plant that is native in Southeast Asia usually
found in China, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand and even in Australia. Balbas
pusa, commonly referred to as Java tea is a herb used as medicine for many
centuries.
Orthosiphon aristatus (balbas pusa) is an erect, slender
shrub that can grow 1-2 meters in height. The leaves are semi-deciduous, light
to dark green in color and are borne in distant pairs that is about 5-10 cm
long.. The stalk is reddish-brown, that is slightly puberulent. The flowers
forms a pagoda like shaped with 5-6 cm long stamens that resembles a cat’s
whiskers, hence the name 'balbas pusa' in tagalog and 'cat's whisker' in
english. The color of the flowers varies from white to purplish.
Balbas pusa (Cat's whisker) Traditional Health Benefits. Balbas pusa or Cat's whiskers is also popularly known as
Java tea is widely used as folkloric herbal medicine for centuries. Balbas pusa
is known for the following health benefits: renal inflammation, kidney stones and dysuria; liver and bladder problems including bladder stones; urinary tract infection; diabetes; rheumatism and gout.; reduction of cholesterol and blood pressure; anti allergic, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory; diuretic or stimulates urine production
Scientific Studies: Cat's Whisker (Orthosiphon aristatus )
Herbal Medicine. Kidney Stones Treatment. Clinical trials have shown that in
40% of patients with kidney stones of 0.5 cm diameter that was subjected to
orthosiphon indicated an improvement in six months. In a similar study, about
In 20% of the patients with other kidney complaints were cured and the patients
were free of pain and discomfort.
Diabetes Treatment. In a study conducted for Orthosiphon.
Results have demonstrated that there is reduction in blood sugar level for
non-insulin dependent diabetics after being subjected for treatment in six
months. Orthosiphon also acts on hypertension (high blood pressure). It reduces
water and therefore as it has no side effects it can be used in place of
pharmaceutical diuretics whether these are potassium saving, uricosurics, or
others. It also has a significant effect on high renal blood pressure. As a
consequence of treating high blood pressure, kidney stones and disorders can
also be cured.
Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Orthosiphon
stamineus. In a clinical study in rats using methanol/water extract of
orthosiphon have shown that orthosiphon exhibited antioxidant, lipid
peroxidation inhibition and free radical scavenging activities into he rats'
liver. (Basir R, Asmawi MZ, Ismail Z. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Effects of Orthosiphon stamineus aqueous extract on plasma
glucose concentration and lipid profile in normal and streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats. The study has shown that In oral glucose tolerance test, the
extract (0.2-1.0 g/kg) significantly decreased plasma glucose concentration in
a dose-dependent manner in both normal and diabetic rats. (Sriplang K,
Adisakwattana S, Rungsipipat A, Yibchok-Anun S. Department of Pharmacology,
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand)
A long-term study on the efficacy of a herbal plant,
Orthosiphon grandiflorus, and sodium potassium citrate in renal calculi
treatment. A was performed to compare the efficacy of a herbal plant,
Orthosiphon grandiflorus (OG), and the drug sodium potassium citrate (SPC) in
treatment of renal calculi. The study has shown that herbal tea prepared from
orthosiphon plant taken for 18 months has significant reduction of renal stones
and there were strong indications that symptoms related to renal problems has
greatly improved. (Premgamone A, Sriboonlue P, Disatapornjaroen W, Maskasem S,
Sinsupan N, Apinives C. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty Medicine, Khon
Kaen University, Thailand)
Antihypertensive substance in the leaves of kumis kucing
(Orthosiphon aristatus) in Java Island. Among those thirteen substances, it was
found that a major constituent in the water decoction of leaves,
methylripariochromene A (5), exhibited a continuous decrease in systolic blood
pressure after subcutaneous administration in conscious stroke-prone
spontaneously hypertensive rats (Ohashi K, Bohgaki T, Shibuya H. Faculty of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, ukuyama University, Hiroshima, Japan.)
Balbas pusa (Cat's whisker) Usage, Dosage. Balbas pusa or Java Tea Preparation: Wash fresh Balbas pusa or cat's whisker leaves; Chop then add in 4 cups of water for every 1 cup; Let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes; Let it steep then strain.; Drink half cup of balbas pusa tea also known as java tea three times a
day; Balbas pusa tea concoction can be stored in suitable glass container
for later consumption; Dried leaves are more potent. Follow instructions in the label for
proper use.
Orthosiphon Use Warnings and Side Effects. Java tea or balbas pusa tea has no known and reported contra
indications and side effects with other drugs. While it is generally safe to
take java tea or balbas pusa tea, prolonged intake is discourage as this may
cause low sodium serum in the body.
Pregnancy and Breast feeding. There are no sufficient
studies made to determine the side effects of java tea (balbas pusa tea) taken
in medicinal amounts to infants and babies. Stay on the safe side, avoid taking
balbas pusa in herbal medicine dosages when pregnant and while breast feeding. Allergies. In rare cases, the herb has caused allergic side
effects. Fluid retention. Don’t use java tea as “irrigation therapy”
when fluid retention or edema is due to kidney or heart related problems.