Cat's Whiskers

Cat's Whiskers, also known as Java Tea or Kidney Tea Plant, is a branched herbaceous plant that belongs to the family Labiatae or Lamiaceae. It is fast growing, perennial garden plant that grows to a height of 1-2 meters. Its hairy, four-angled, multi-branched stems have opposite, 5 cm. long ovate margins. Terminal stems carry whorls of 2.5 cm. long white or purple, two-lipped flowers with protruding stamens, that give the flower its characteristic cat's whiskers appearance. The nutlets are broadly oblong, compressed and wrinkled. The flower make an eye-catching display in gardens.

MEDICINAL USE:
*Kidney and bladder stone.
*Oedema.
*Gout.
*Rheumatism.
*Lowers the blood sugar in diabetics.

HOW TO USE:
*The decoction of the whole plants is very effective in taking care of the first 5 problems listed
  under Medicinal use.
*The leaf extract is of particular use in lowering the blood sugar levels in diabetics.
           
NOTE;
The presence of orthosiphonin and potassium salts help in keeping the uric acid and urates salts in solution and thus prevent deposition of calculi in the kidneys.

PARTS USED:
*The whole plant.
           
DOSE:
As recommended above.

Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp

1 litre = 7 or 8 cups