434/JATAMANSIHow Supplied: Forms of commercial pharmaceutical prepa-
rations include capsules and compound preparations.
Daily Dosage:
Powder — 0.6 to 1.3 g drug as a single dosePure drug — 5 g of the drug 3 times daily with a cup of
waterLiquid extract/tincture (1:10) — 1 wineglassful, 3 times
daily (corresponds to approximately 2 g drug per single
dose)Infusion (1:40) — 1 wineglassful, 3 times daily (corresponds
to approximately 2 g drug per single dose)
Storage: Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place.
LITERATURE
Dixit VP, Jain P, Joshi SC, Hypolipidaemic effects of Curcuma
longa L and Nardostachys jatamansi, DC in triton-induced
hyperlipidaemic rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol, 32:299-304,
1988 Oct-Dec.
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H. Schneider G (Ed), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Rucker G, Tautges J, Sieck A, Wenzl H, Graf E, Isolation and
pharmacodynamic activity of the sesquiterpene valeranone from
Nardostachys jatamansi. DC Arzneimittelforschung, 28:7-13,
1978.
Rucker G, Tautges J, Sieck A. Wenzl H, Graf E, Nardostachys
jatamansi: a chemical, pharmacological and clinical appraisal.
Spec Rep Ser Indian Counc Med Res, 28:1-117, 1978.Jateorhiza palmata
See ColomboJava Tea
Orthosiphon spicatus
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves and stem
tips collected during the flowering season.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers usually are arranged in a
whorl of 6 (occasionally 10) blooms. The calyx tube is short
with an upright-curved upper lip. The corolla is blue to light
violet. The corolla tube is about 2 cm long with a broad
upper lip that has 3 indentations. The lower lip is narrow and
ovate-lanceolate. The 4 stamens are blue and 2.5 to 3 cm
long. The style is as long as the stamen, and the ovary has a
PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESdisk. The fruit breaks up into 4 oval-oblong nutlets with
bumpy surfaces.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 40 to 80 cm high herb.
The stem is quadrangular and glabrous to pubescent with
crossed, opposite leaves. The leaves are about 75 mm long, M
usually short-petioled, ovate-lanceolate with an irregularly
coarse, roughly serrate to dentate (or occasionally crenate)
margin. The upper surface is brownish-green, the lower
surface gray-green with strong, protruding ribs and glandular
punctate markings. The plant resembles Peppermint.
Characteristics: The herb has a weak, unusual smell
reminiscent of a cattle pen. The taste is salty, bitter and
astringent.
Habitat: The plant is found in an area extending from
tropical Asia to tropical Australia and is cultivated in those
areas and elsewhere.
Production: Java Tea consists of the dried leaf and stem tips
of Orthosiphon spicatus, which is harvested shortly before
flowering. The leaves are then dried in a well-ventilated
location.
Not to be Confused With: Confusion can arise with other
Orthosiphon varieties and Eupatorium varieties from Java. wk
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (0.02-0.06%): including among others beta-
caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, caryophyllene-epoxide
Flavonoids: in particular more highly methoxylized exam-
ples (0.2%) including eupatorin, sinensetin, scutellarine
tetramethyl ethers, salvigenin
Caffeic acid derivatives: including among others 2,3-dicof-
feoyltartrate, rosmaric acid, 2-caffeoyl tartrate.
Diterpene ester: orthosiphole A to E, (diterpene dibenzoyl
diacetyl ester of primarane type)
Triterpene saponins: (up to 4.5%): aglycone hederagenin
EFFECTS
Java Tea has been shown in human and animal tests to be a
mild diuretic. The essential oil of the drug, which contains
sesquiterpenes, is antimicrobial, antiphlogistic and possibly
antitumoral. «^
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:- Infections of the urinary tract
- Kidney and bladder stones
Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, it is used for the above
conditions and also for gout, rheumatism, hematuria and
albuminuria.