Marjarī

Description

Poonai Meesai (Orthosiphon aristatus) is a perennial herb, native to Southeast Asia, with white to pale lavender flowers that have long protruding stamens resembling a cat’s whiskers, hence the name. The plant is highly valued in traditional medicine, especially in Siddha and folk systems, for urinary and kidney disorders. Its leaves are aromatic, used as herbal tea (“Java tea”) and have a diuretic and detoxifying effect.

Useful Parts

Leaves, aerial parts

Benefits

1. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties: O. aristatus exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, potentially by inhibiting MMP-13 activity and acting as a radical scavenger. 2. Antidiabetic Effects: The herb shows promise in regulating blood sugar by inhibiting enzymes like α-amylase and β-glucosidase, promoting insulin secretion, and increasing glucose uptake. 3. Kidney and Urinary Health: It has been traditionally used for treating kidney diseases and urinary disorders and may also act as a diuretic. 4. Skin Conditions: Research suggests O. aristatus could help reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis by decreasing skin lesion severity and reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells like eosinophils and mast cells. 5. Cardiovascular Benefits: It has shown potential as an antithrombotic (preventing blood clots) and hypotensive (lowering blood pressure) agent. 6. Arthritis and Gout: The herb's anti-inflammatory effects may offer therapeutic possibilities for conditions like arthritis and gout.

Pharmacological Action

Diuretic, lithotriptic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial.

Rasapancakam

Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya

Guna: Laghu, Ruksha

Virya: Sita

Vipaka: Katu

Dosha Karma: Pittakapha shamaka