|
Botany:
:
Slender, smooth or hairy undershrub, 30-60
cm high. Leaves in distant pairs, narrowed into the stalk, ovate,
5-10 cm long, pointed at both ends, coarsely toothed margins.
The flowers are borne in very lax racemes. The calyx is bell-shaped,
with a naked throat and two slender lower teeth. Corolla is 2.5
cm long, smooth, white or purplish, slender in the tube, and
thrice as long as the calyx. Nutlets are oblong and compressed.
Distribution
In thickets, at low and medium
altitudes.
Parts
utilized
Leaves.
Chemical constituents
and properties
Leaves contain a high percentage of
potassium salts (0.7 gm in 100 grams of fresh leaves.
From dried leaves, a small amount of volatile oil and a bitter alkaloid,
orthosiphonin.
Considered anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial
and hypoglycemic.
Uses
Folkloric
Decoction of leaves used for kidney
and bladder problems and other afflictions of the urinary tract.
Also used for its diuretic effect.
Poultice of leaves or chewed leaves stuffed onto painful tooth.
Others
Java Tea is derived from Orthosiphon aristatus, touted
for its diuretic action, kidney flushing benefits for kidney and bladder
stones.
Studies
• Antihypertensive:
Antihypertensive actions of methylripariochromene A from Orthosiphon
aristatus, an indonesian traditional medicinal plant
: Methylripariochromene A (MRC), isolated from the leaves of OA showed
blood pressure lowering effect and a vasodilating action, decrease cardiac
output and diuretic action. It supports the traditional use of the plant
for hypertension treatment.
• Na+,K+-ATPase Inhibition:
In the study of ten Thai indigenous medicinal plants, O aristatus showed
high potent inhibitory activity .
• Inihbition of Smooth Muscle Contraction:
Three Indonesian medicinal plants were studied for their biologically
active constituents. Three benzochromenes
and four isopimarane-type diterpenes isolated from the leaves of Orthoshiphon
aristatus were shown to exhibit inhibitory effects on smooth muscle
contractions caused by several stimulants
• Diuretic:
O. stamineus extract exhibited dose-dependent diuretic activity with
a significantly increased excretion of K. There was also slight increase
of BUN, creatinine and blood glucose levels, although statistically
significant when compared to control , the levels were considered within
normal range. Although less potent than furosemide and HCTZ, care should
be taken in its consumption because of alterations in kidney parameters.
• Nephrolitihiasis
Study : In a randomized control trial
of Orthosiphon versus placebo, no statistically significant difference
was found.
• Hepatoprotective
: A study on the
methanol extract of leaves of Orthosiphon staminues against paracetamol-induced
hepatotoxicity showed treatment with OS extract brought back the alterered
biochemical markers in a dose-dependent manner suggesting hepatoprotective
activity.
• Diuretic /
Hypouricemic : A study on the methanol
extract of OS showed significantly increased excretion of sodium and
potassium excretion in a pattern comparable to hydrochlorothiazide.
It also showed reduced serum urate level in hyperuricemic rats. Study
provides evidence towards a diuretic and hypouricemic effect in rats.
Toxicity
Study
•
Chronic Toxicity Test :
A study on the chronic toxicity of water extract of Orthosiphon aristatus
on Wistar rats showed that high doses of the extract caused a reduction
of serum sodium levels in all extract-treated groups and increase alklaine
phosphatase level and incidence of hydrocalyx in male rats, therefore
advising that the prolonged use of OA should be avoided.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
|
