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Orthosiphon aristatus
Kabling-parang (Pilipino)
Cat's whisker (English)
Java tea (English)
Mao xu cao (Chinese)
Cat's whisker or Balbas pusa is a tropical herbaceous perennial plant that is native in Southeast
Asia usually found in China, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand and even in Australia. Balbas pusa,
commonly referred to as Java tea is a herb used as medicine for many
centuries.
Orthosiphon aristatus (balbas pusa) is an erect, slender shrub that can
grow 1-2 meters in height. The leaves are semi-deciduous, light to dark
green in color and are borne in distant pairs that is about 5-10 cm long..
The stalk is reddish-brown, that is slightly puberulent. The flowers forms
a pagoda like shaped with 5-6 cm long stamens that resembles a cats
whiskers, hence the name 'balbas pusa' in tagalog and 'cat's whisker' in english. The color of the
flowers varies from white to purplish.
diabetes,
wash fresh or
dried balbas pusa
or cat's whisker
leaves
suitable glass
container for
later
consumption.
Java tea bags are also available in health stores. Follow the instructions in the label for safe use.
There are various ways to prepare and use this plant. It can be taken dried leaves or infusion.
Most literatures suggest that you need to take 5 to 6 grams of dried leaves per day. Dried leaves
can be placed in gelatin capsule (the one I made and give to Matts Tita to help reduce or better
eliminate her breast lumps. I used 250mg per capsule) or infusion of 1:2 fluid extract taken 3-12
ml per day. The latter is quite good if you can stand the bitterness.
Serpentina has many uses that could benefit our health. The said plant has very low toxicity and
no overdosage cases have been reported. Perhaps it is because unlike any other herbs, you wont
wish to have more than the recommended dosage due to its extreme bitterness.