Java Tea

Botanical

What is it

Java tea (Orthosiphon stamineus, also called O. aristatus) is a tropical herb in the mint family used traditionally in Southeast Asia for urinary tract support, kidney stones, and as a general aquaretic. The leaves are the medicinal portion.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Urinary tract irrigation / stone prevention

Limited Evidence

Traditional use is supported by EMA registration. Small clinical trials suggest aquaretic effect and modest changes in stone-forming biomarkers, but large RCTs are lacking.

Blood pressure / antihypertensive

Mixed Evidence

Some animal studies and preliminary human data suggest mild antihypertensive effects, but evidence is preliminary.

How it works

Java tea contains sinensetin, eupatorin, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, and potassium salts. The combination provides aquaretic (increasing urine volume without electrolyte loss), spasmolytic, and mild anti-inflammatory effects on the urinary tract. In animal studies and small human trials, Orthosiphon increases urine output and reduces calcium and oxalate excretion patterns associated with kidney stone formation. Anti-inflammatory effects on the urinary tract may support symptom relief in mild irritation.

Dosage

EMA traditional-use registration: dried leaf 6-12 g/day as infusion in divided doses; standardized extracts vary. Tincture (1:5 ethanol): 2-6 mL daily. Always with adequate water intake.

When and how to take it

WHEN: Take spread through the day with adequate water (1.5-2 L/day). Avoid late evening to prevent sleep disruption. HOW: As tea (steep 2-3 g for 10 minutes), tincture, or standardized capsule.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried leaf

Used as infusion or decoction.

Standard traditional preparation

Standardized extract

Capsule or tablet form.

Often standardized to sinensetin

Safety

Generally well tolerated. Mild GI symptoms and headache uncommon. Long-term safety data are limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation. Not recommended in patients with edema from heart or kidney failure without medical supervision. Use cautiously in people taking diuretics or lithium.

Interactions

Theoretical interaction with diuretics, lithium, and antihypertensives. May affect blood sugar; caution with diabetes medications.

Frequently asked questions

Is java tea the same as regular tea?⌄

No, despite the name. Java tea is from a different plant (Orthosiphon) than true tea (Camellia sinensis) and contains no caffeine.

Can java tea help with kidney stones?⌄

Traditional and some preliminary evidence supports use for irrigation and possibly reducing stone formation, but established kidney stone treatment should be guided by a clinician.

References

Java Tea on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Java Tea on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Java Tea (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Java Tea with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.