Also known as Kidney Tea, and Orthosiphon stamineus scientifically. Misai Kucing is a potent antioxidant herbs that has a long history of use as an herbal diuretic, blood purifier and natural anti-inflammatory. It is wildly grown to a height of 1.5m in tropical areas. The plant can be distinguished by its white or purple colored flowers that resembles cat whiskers. The herb is popularly known as Java tea. It is also commonly referred as "Misai Kucing" which means cat whiskers. In the west side it is best known as relaxing tea. It helps to remove excessive metabolic wastes, inflammatory chemicals and uric acid that leads to arthritis and kidney stones. Modern research has also revealed a blood-pressure lowering and anti-diabetic effect. The herb also is rich in potassium and assists the elimination of excess salt from the body which also explains its beneficial effect in hypertension (or which approximately 50% of cases have excess sodium as a causative factor). It is very useful for flushing the kidneys and urinary tract. It also relieves spasms of the smooth muscle in the walls of the internal organs, making it valuable for gallbladder problems.
