Java tea, Kidney tea plant
Orthosiphon aristatus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A slender shrub. It grows 1-2 m tall. The stems are 4 angled. They have some hairs when young. The leaves are sword shaped or oval. The flowering shoots are at the ends of branches. The fruit are nutlets 1.5 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in a range of places up to 1,000 m above sea level. In CFFRC farm Malaysia. At MARDI. At FRIM. In Yunnan. In Queen Sirikit BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, China, East Timor, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, SE Asia, South Africa, Thailand, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

It is used for flavouring and as a herbal tea.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Stem, leaves, flowers, tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Kumis kucing, Mao xu cao, Misai kuching, Remujung

Synonyms

Clerodendranthus spicatus (Blume) Miq.; Ocimum aristatum Blume; Orthosiphon stamineus Benth.; and others