Scientific Name: Orthosiphon Stamineus
Other names: Misai Kuching, Remujung, Orthosiphonblaetter, Indisher Nierentee, Feuilles de Barbiflore, Java Tea, Javatee, Kidney Tea, Yaa Nuat Maeo

Misai Kucing is a medicinal herb found mainly throughout South East Asia and tropical Australia. The flowers have fine filaments that resembles cat’s whiskers, hence its Malay name, Misai Kuching (Cat’s whiskers).

In the wild, the plant can be seen growing at fringes of the jungle, in wastelands and along roadsides. The two general species, Orthosiphon stamineus “purple” and Orthosiphon stamineus “white” are traditionally used to treat diabetes, kidney and urinary disorders, high blood pressure and bone or muscular pain.

Cinnamon is a spice consisting of the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. Cinnamon is a dietary source of manganese, calcium and iron. It also contains salicylic acid and several carotenoids and proanthocyanidins, all of which may have chemopreventive activities. Cinnamon has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, insecticidal and antioxidant properties. Consumption of cinnamon has been shown to improve glucose metabolism, lowering blood sugar and reducing insulin resistance.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known. Cinnamon was used in ancient Egypt not only as a beverage flavoring and medicine, but also as an embalming agent. It was so highly treasured that it was considered more precious than gold. Around this time, cinnamon also received much attention in China, which is reflected in its mention in one of the earliest books on Chinese botanical medicine, dated around 2,700 B.C. Cinnamon’s popularity continued throughout history. It became one of the most relied upon spices in Medieval Europe. Due to its demand, cinnamon became one of the first commodities traded regularly between the Near East and Europe. Ceylon cinnamon is produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil and the Caribbean, while cassia is mainly produced in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Other names: Purple clover, Trifolium, Sweet clover, Cow clover

Red clover has traditionally been used to treat inflammation and infection, including syphillus, venereal disease, and tuberculosis. Recent laboratory studies have shown that this plant does indeed kill many types of bacteria, including the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

In many cultures, including traditional herbal medicine in Great Britain, clover flowers, stems and leaves have been combined with other herbs to make compound remedies for asthma, eczema, psoriasis, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, kidney stones and, more recently, for hormone-related cancers.