Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq.

Cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus) is a herb native to Indonesia, up to 2 meters tall, of the Lamiaceae family, also distributed across China, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Its flowers, resembling a cat's whiskers, make it a popular ornamental as well as a traditional remedy known widely as far as Europe, including the Netherlands and France. Its leaves are believed to act as a diuretic and help lower high blood pressure.

Grows well in regions at elevations up to 1,200 m above sea level, with rainfall up to 3,000 mm/year. Favors Andosol and Latosol soil types with organic matter content up to 5%, and no shade.

• Stem square, somewhat grooved.
• Leaves ovate-oblong, toothed lanceolate, veins along the margin finely hairy or hairless.
• Flowers blunt, round, corolla pale purple or white, upper part covered with short purple hairs, stamens longer than the flower tube and extending beyond the upper lip.
• Fruit a dark brown nutlet, 1.75–2 mm long.

• Propagated vegetatively (by stem/branch cuttings).
• Cuttings can be planted directly in the production garden or first planted in a nursery.
• Planting spacing of 10 x 10 cm in the nursery and 40 x 40 cm in the production field.

Methylripariochromene, acetovanillochromene, orthochromene A, orthosiphol A, orthosiphol B, orthosiphonone A, orthosiphonone B, sinensetin, saponin, orthosiphonin.

Antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective (protects the liver), antiobesity, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic (inhibits cell growth); acts as a diuretic; protects nerve cells; treats rheumatism.

• Separate the cat's whiskers leaves from the stem. Wash thoroughly, then drain.
• Air-dry in a shaded location for 3-5 days, or use an oven at 40°C until the moisture content is 10%.
• Pack the dried material in a clean, airtight container.

Remujung (Java), Se-salaseyan, Songkot koceng (Madura).