Orthosiphon leaves are used in diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys. Thus, the plant is a component of flushing therapies for the treatment of bacterial diseases and inflammation of the urinary tract and kidneys.
As a diuretic, cat’s beard is used in urinary tract infections, cystitis, irritable bladder, and inflamed mucous membranes of the draining urinary tract and kidney (bladder or kidney catarrh). The plant can also provide relief from chronic inflammation of the kidneys and bladder.
Furthermore, even preventively, accumulations of small kidney stones (kidney gravel) can be treated with orthosiphon leaves.
Orthosiphon in folk medicine and homeopathy.
Traditionally, people use cat’s whiskers in general “to support the excretory function of the kidneys.” In Southeast Asia, orthosiphon leaves have been used for centuries to treat bladder and kidney ailments. Less commonly, the plant is used in folk medicine for gout.
Also in homeopathy, cat’s beard is used mainly for urinary tract infections and inflammatory diseases of the kidney and the draining urinary tract.
Ingredients of Orthosiphon
The efficacy-determining ingredients include flavonoids such as sinensetin and eupatorin, as well as a complexly composed essential oil with predominantly sesquiterpenes. Also present are about 3% potassium salts, caffeic acid derivatives, diterpenes, and some triterpenes.
Orthosiphon: what indication?
Indications for use of Orthosiphon are:
- Flushing therapy
- Bacterial diseases of the urinary tract
- Urinary tract infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Cystitis
- Bladder catarrh
- Irritable bladder
- Chronic nephritis
- Kidney gravel
- Small kidney stones
- Kidney catarrh
