As a medicinal plant, cat’s beard is known, among other things, for effectively reducing kidney inflammation and kidney stones. In addition, cat’s beard can even inhibit various drug-resistant microbial strains of bacteria and protect against damage caused by free radicals.
Cat’s beard (Orthosiphon aristatus) belongs to the Lamiaceae (lamiaceae) family and grows primarily in Asia, but has also been cultivated in Indonesia. The plant grows up to 60 centimeters high and has light purple flowers with four long, widely protruding blue-violet stamens, explains the Goethe University Frankfurt.
Effective for kidney inflammation, kidney stones and dysuria
With the help of cat’s beard, kidney health problems can be effectively treated. For example, one study reports that the use of Orthosiphon aristatus as a food ingredient enables the treatment of kidney inflammation, kidney stones and dysuria.
The research showed that various extracts from cat’s beard have increased antioxidant activity. The experts found that an ethanol extract from cat’s beard and specifically the bioactive compound ursolic acid it contains prevent the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Reactive oxygen species are by-products of cell metabolism that are known to cause sometimes irreparable damage to the basic building blocks of cells.
Dangers from resistant bacteria
In recent decades, the prevalence of drug-resistant microbial bacteria has increased significantly, which is associated with significant health problems. This is especially true when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), infections with resistant pathogens are usually more difficult to treat and can increasingly take a more complicated course. Although the development of antibiotic resistance cannot be generally prevented, it can be significantly reduced.
Antibiotic resistance is considered one of the greatest challenges to global health today, add experts from the Robert Koch Institute.
Cat’s beard against drug-resistant bacteria
It is therefore particularly important to identify active ingredients that also help against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to a recent study, cat’s beard leaves could make this possible.
The researchers found that a methanolic extract from the leaves of Orthosiphon aristatus is effective against various gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans and Propionibacterium acnes) and gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae).
According to the team, the results suggest that cat’s whiskers can be used as a promising antimicrobial agent.
Promising effects of cat beard
So cat’s beard seems to offer a natural and at the same time effective way to protect yourself from various dangerous bacterial strains and damage caused by free radicals. At the same time, the medicinal plant enables effective protection of the health of the kidneys and helps against various kidney diseases. (as)
