Kumis Kucing1
Orthosiphon aristatus or Orthosiphon stamineus (Kumis Kucing), also known as Java tea, is a fairly popular medicinal plant in Indonesia. The leaves of this plant have been used for generations to treat various urinary tract conditions, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.2
Morphology of Kumis Kucing
Kumis Kucing plant is an erect plant that can grow up to 2 m tall. Its leaves are oblong to slightly diamond-shaped, measuring 1–10 cm in length and 7.5 mm–5 cm in width. The leaf veins along the edges may be finely hairy or glabrous; the leaf surface is speckled, and the petioles are approximately 3 cm long. The flowers are lip-shaped (labiate), with pale purple or white corollas. The upper part of the flower has fine hairs resembling a “cat’s mustache,” with stamens longer than the floral tube and extending beyond the upper lip of the flower.5
Kumis Kucing Actives Compounds
Kumis Kucing are known to contain active compounds from the orthosiphonin glycoside and flavonoid groups, such as sinensetin, eupatorin, and rosmarinic acid, which contribute to their antihypertensive and antidiabetic properties.3,5
Health Benefits of Cat Whiskers
Based on a review of the literature, there are several studies on the efficacy of Kumis Kucing, including for:
- Antihypertensive
Kumis Kucing extract has a vasodilatory effect, which helps lower blood pressure.3 In addition, cat's whiskers are also known to have a diuretic effect by inhibiting the reabsorption of water and minerals in the renal tubules. This effect increases urine output, thereby reducing plasma volume and leading to a decrease in blood pressure.4
Literature Study:
- Subjects: 24 individuals with hypertension
- Research dose: 200 ml/day of Orthosiphon stamineus leaf decoction
- Duration: 7 days
- Results: A significant reduction in blood pressure was observed in the treatment group (2.29 ± 1.12 mmHg) compared to the control group.3
- Antidiabetes
The bioactive compounds in cat’s whiskers may help inhibit the α-glucosidase enzyme in the intestines. This enzyme plays a role in the digestion of carbohydrates so they can be absorbed by the body. This means that when carbohydrates are consumed, their conversion into blood sugar can be slowed down, thereby reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes.6
Literature Study:
An antihyperglycemic test of a 1 g/kg body weight oral dose of dried cat’s whiskers leaf water extract administered to normal rats, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and normal rats loaded with 5 g/kg body weight of glucose showed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels compared to the control group.2
Safety
Kumis Kucing is generally considered safe for use as a traditional medicine. In toxicity tests on rats, cat's whiskers leaf extract was found to be safe for consumption at doses up to 3,500 mg/day, and chronic toxicity testing at doses up to 6,000 mg/kg body weight in white rats over a 3-month period showed no abnormalities in vital organs.5
Keywords: Kumis Kucing; Orthosiphon aristatus; Orthosiphonin glycoside; Diuretic; Urinary tract cleanser; Antihypertensive; Antidiabetic.
Footer References
- References
- Image: shutterstock.com
- National Agency of Drug and Food Control. Herbal Preparation Reference.Volume 6 Issue I. POM Agency; 2011.
- Maulina, Devi. EffectivenessOrthosiphon stamineusas complementary therapy for hypertension: A systematic review. Indonesian Journal of Health Science. 2025; 5: 536-546.
- Adam Y, Somchit MN, Sulaiman MR, et al. Diuretic properties of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;124(1):154-158. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.014.
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 6 of 2016 concerning the Formulary of Original Indonesian Herbal Medicines. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia; 2016.
- Sari IW, Junaidin J, Pratiwi D. Molecular docking study of flavonoid compounds of cat's whiskers herb (Orthosiphon stamineusB.) on the α-glucosidase receptor as a type 2 antidiabetic.Farmagazine Journal. 2020; 7(2): 54-60.
