Some herbs become global wellness trends overnight. Others remain quietly respected for generations, used in family traditions and regional systems of herbal practice without receiving the attention they deserve.

Java tea belongs to the second group.

Known botanically as Orthosiphon aristatus and historically as Orthosiphon stamineus, Java tea is a tropical Asian herb with distinctive flowers and long projecting stamens that resemble a cat’s whiskers. This unusual appearance explains several of its popular names: cat’s whiskers, misai kucing in Malaysia and kumis kucing in Indonesia.

The dried leaves are brewed into a mild, caffeine-free herbal infusion. Across parts of Southeast Asia, Java tea has traditionally been associated with urinary flow, bladder comfort and kidney-related wellness practices. European herbal authorities also recognise a traditional medicinal use of Java tea leaf for increasing urine output to support the flushing of the urinary tract in minor urinary complaints.

That history makes Java tea fascinating—but it does not make every modern internet claim true. Java tea should not be advertised as a cure for kidney stones, urinary tract infections, diabetes, gout, high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease. Much of the wider research remains laboratory-based or animal-based, and the available human clinical evidence is limited.

This detailed guide explores what Java tea is, why it is sometimes called kidney tea, how it relates to Ayurveda, what science actually suggests, how to prepare it and who should avoid it.

Quick answer: Java tea is a naturally caffeine-free infusion prepared from the leaves of Orthosiphon aristatus. It has a long history of traditional use as a mild diuretic herb. The European Medicines Agency recognises its traditional use for increasing urine flow in minor urinary complaints, but strong human evidence for treating specific diseases remains insufficient.

What is Java tea?

Java tea is a herbal infusion made primarily from the dried leaves and tender stem tips of Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq. var. aristatus. The plant belongs to the Lamiaceae or mint family, which also includes familiar herbs such as basil, rosemary, sage, peppermint and lemon balm.

It is a perennial tropical shrub that can grow to approximately one metre or more under suitable conditions. Its leaves are green and toothed, while the white, pale violet or bluish flowers carry remarkably long stamens. Those stamens create the “cat’s whiskers” appearance that made the plant memorable across cultures.

The National Parks Board of Singapore lists several common names:

-Java tea

-Cat’s whiskers

-Kidney tea plant

-Misai Kuching

-Chinese name 猫须草

The botanical naming can be confusing. Products and research papers may use:

-Orthosiphon aristatus

-Orthosiphon stamineus

-Clerodendranthus spicatus

-Orthosiphonis folium, meaning Orthosiphon leaf

These names may refer to the same or closely treated botanical material in different taxonomic and pharmacopoeial contexts. For a consumer product, correct identification is essential. “Kidney tea” is only a common name and should never replace the botanical name on a quality specification.

The European Medicines Agency identifies Java tea as Orthosiphon aristatus var. aristatus and places its traditional herbal assessment within urinary and genital disorders.

Is Java tea really an Ayurvedic tea?

Java tea is sometimes marketed in India as an Ayurvedic herb or Ayurvedic kidney tea. That description requires nuance.

The plant grows across tropical Asia, including parts of the Indian subcontinent, and it can be incorporated into present-day Indian herbal wellness practice. Some sources also describe its use in India alongside other medicinal plants.

However, Java tea is best known historically through Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese and broader Southeast Asian traditional medicine. It is not among the best-known foundational herbs of classical Ayurvedic literature in the way that ashwagandha, tulsi, shatavari, guduchi, punarnava or brahmi are.

For accurate, trust-building communication, it is better to describe Java tea as:

-A traditional Southeast Asian herbal infusion

-A tropical Asian wellness herb

-An herb used in Asian traditional practices

-A herbal tea that may appeal to people interested in Ayurveda

-A modern addition to an Ayurvedic-inspired wellness routine

The phrase “Ayurvedic-style herbal tea” may be suitable when discussing the ritual of brewing a single botanical in water, but it should not imply that Java tea is a universally recognised classical Ayurvedic formulation.

This distinction strengthens rather than weakens the story. Java tea brings a different Asian botanical tradition into the modern wellness cup.

Why is Java tea called cat’s whiskers tea?

The plant’s flowers contain thin, extended stamens that project far beyond the petals. From a distance, they resemble the whiskers of a cat.

That visual feature inspired local names:

-Misai kucing in Malaysia

-Kumis kucing in Indonesia

-Cat’s whiskers in English

The flowering plant is also grown ornamentally in tropical gardens. Its white-to-lavender flowers can attract pollinators, while the leaves are harvested and dried for herbal preparations.

Do not confuse “cat’s whiskers tea” with any product made for animals. It is simply a common name for the plant.

What does Java tea taste like?

Java tea produces a light golden-to-greenish infusion. Its taste is generally:

-Mildly herbaceous

-Slightly bitter

-Clean and leafy

-Gently earthy

-Less aromatic than peppermint or tulsi

The flavour varies with leaf quality, drying method, quantity and infusion time. A long or highly concentrated brew can taste more bitter.

People who find it too plain may blend it with a small amount of:

-Lemongrass

-Ginger

-Cinnamon

-Peppermint

-Spearmint

-Lemon peel

Blending changes the taste and may introduce new safety considerations. Liquorice, for example, is not appropriate for everyone and may affect blood pressure or interact with medication. Keep wellness blends simple and transparent.

Is Java tea caffeine-free?

Pure Java tea is naturally caffeine-free because it does not come from Camellia sinensis, the plant used to make black, green, white and oolong tea.

This makes it potentially suitable as an evening herbal infusion for people reducing caffeine. However:

-A Java tea blend can contain caffeine if green tea, black tea, yerba mate, guarana or another caffeinated ingredient is added.

-“Caffeine-free” does not mean suitable for every person or every medical condition.

-Its traditional diuretic use may make late-night consumption inconvenient because it could increase urination.

Always check the complete ingredient list rather than relying only on the product name.

The traditional uses of Java tea

Traditional use is an important source of cultural and historical knowledge. It can guide scientific research, but it is not the same as proof from large, well-designed human clinical trials.

Across Indonesian and Malaysian practices, Java tea leaf decoctions have been associated with urinary and kidney-related complaints. Vietnamese traditional use has also included preparations intended to increase urination. The Singapore National Parks Board records these ethnobotanical uses while clearly warning that some traditional effects remain scientifically unverified.

In European herbal medicine, Orthosiphon leaf has a long record of use as a diuretic herbal preparation. The EMA’s herbal monograph recognises it as a traditional herbal medicinal product used to increase urine output for the flushing of the urinary tract as an aid in minor urinary complaints.

The word traditional is essential. It means the use is considered plausible and supported by long-standing experience, even though the clinical evidence may not meet the standard required for a well-established medical treatment.

Java tea should therefore be discussed as a traditional urinary wellness herb—not a substitute for diagnosis, antibiotics, kidney-stone management or medical care.

Java tea’s naturally occurring plant compounds

Researchers have identified several groups of plant compounds in Orthosiphon leaves. The composition varies by cultivar, growing conditions, harvest, drying, storage and extraction method.

Compounds often discussed in research include:

-Rosmarinic acid

-Sinensetin

-Eupatorin

-Polymethoxylated flavones

-Other flavonoids

-Phenolic acids

-Diterpenes

-Volatile compounds

-Minerals, including potassium

Rosmarinic acid

Rosmarinic acid is a phenolic compound also found in members of the mint family. Laboratory and preclinical studies have investigated its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Its presence does not prove that a cup of Java tea will prevent or treat a disease. The dose absorbed by the body, the product’s composition and the difference between an isolated compound and a brewed infusion all matter.

Sinensetin

Sinensetin is a polymethoxylated flavone frequently used as a quality marker in Orthosiphon research and herbal specifications. It has been studied for several biological activities, but much of that evidence is preclinical.

Eupatorin and related flavonoids

Eupatorin and other flavonoids contribute to the herb’s scientific interest. Antioxidant activity measured in a laboratory cannot be translated directly into a clinical promise.

The most responsible summary is that Java tea contains bioactive compounds worthy of continued research. It is not accurate to claim that those compounds guarantee detoxification, fat loss, stone removal or disease prevention in humans.

Potential Java tea benefits: what does the evidence really say?

1. Traditionally supports urinary flow

This is the best-supported traditional use.

Java tea is commonly described as a mild diuretic herb. A diuretic increases urine production. The EMA recognises Orthosiphon leaf as a traditional product used to increase urine output and assist the flushing of the urinary tract in minor urinary complaints.

This should not be misunderstood as a treatment for:

-Urinary blockage

-Kidney failure

-Severe urinary infection

-Painful kidney stones

-Blood in the urine

-Fluid retention caused by heart, liver or kidney disease

For a flushing effect, adequate fluid intake is important. But increased fluid consumption is not appropriate for everyone. People who have been advised to restrict fluids because of heart or kidney disease should not begin a diuretic tea routine without medical supervision.

2. May complement everyday urinary wellness

An unsweetened Java tea infusion can be part of a general hydration routine for a healthy adult who has no contraindication. Its naturally caffeine-free character may be attractive to people who want an alternative to black tea, green tea or coffee.

Yet drinking Java tea does not “clean” the urinary system in a literal sense. The kidneys already filter the blood and regulate fluid, minerals and waste. A herbal tea does not perform dialysis, repair damaged kidneys or sterilise the urinary tract.

Use language such as “traditionally used to support urinary flow,” not “flushes all toxins” or “cleans the kidneys.”

3. Kidney stone research is mixed and insufficient

Java tea is frequently promoted online for kidney stones. The evidence does not justify a cure claim.

One human study examining Orthosiphon leaf and urinary stone promoters reported both favourable and unfavourable changes. The authors did not establish a universal stone-prevention effect. Kidney stones also differ in composition—calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, cystine and other types require different medical approaches.

Research on animals, cells or isolated compounds can suggest mechanisms worth studying, but it cannot prove that drinking Java tea dissolves an existing stone.

Anyone with severe side or back pain, vomiting, fever, reduced urine, blood in the urine or suspected kidney stones should seek medical attention. Obstruction and infection can become urgent.

4. Antioxidant potential

Extracts of Java tea demonstrate antioxidant activity in laboratory studies. This is scientifically plausible because the leaves contain phenolic acids and flavonoids.

Antioxidants can neutralise reactive compounds in experimental systems. However, the human body has complex antioxidant networks, and a high laboratory antioxidant value does not mean that a drink prevents cancer, ageing or organ damage.

Java tea can contribute to dietary variety as a plant-based infusion. It should not be sold as an antioxidant cure.

5. Anti-inflammatory research

Preclinical studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Orthosiphon extracts and individual compounds. These findings are interesting but preliminary.

There is not enough high-quality human evidence to claim that Java tea treats arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma or chronic inflammatory disorders.

Someone using anti-inflammatory medication or managing an autoimmune condition should not replace prescribed treatment with herbal tea.

6. Blood sugar research

Orthosiphon has been investigated in laboratory and animal models relating to blood glucose and metabolic health. A 2022 systematic review examined evidence connected to diabetes, but much of the available research was preclinical rather than decisive human clinical evidence.

Java tea must not be presented as a cure for diabetes or a replacement for insulin, metformin, dietetic care or glucose monitoring.

If Java tea or an extract affects blood glucose, combining it with diabetes medicine could theoretically increase the risk of low blood sugar. People with diabetes should discuss regular use with their clinician.

7. Blood pressure research

Some animal and laboratory studies have explored diuretic and vascular effects of Orthosiphon. That does not establish Java tea as a proven treatment for hypertension.

Diuretic herbs may interact with:

-Prescription diuretics

-Blood-pressure medicines

-Medicines that affect electrolytes

-Heart medication

Uncontrolled blood pressure requires proper measurement and medical care. Herbal tea cannot replace prescribed treatment.

8. Uric acid and gout claims

Java tea is sometimes promoted as a “uric acid tea” or “gout tea.” Traditional use and preclinical work have encouraged this marketing, but robust human evidence is insufficient.

Gout is caused by the deposition of urate crystals and may require medicine to manage acute inflammation or lower uric acid over time. Untreated gout can damage joints and may be associated with kidney problems.

Java tea should not be advertised as removing uric acid crystals or curing gout.

9. Weight-loss and detox claims

Temporary water loss is not fat loss.

Because Java tea may increase urination, the scale may temporarily change as the body loses water. This does not mean the tea burns body fat. Excessive use of diuretic products for rapid weight loss can contribute to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

The liver, kidneys, lungs, gut and skin already manage the body’s waste-processing functions. Java tea may be enjoyed as an unsweetened beverage, but phrases such as “complete kidney detox,” “rapid fat burner” and “removes all toxins” are misleading.

What human research is available?

This is where marketing and science must be separated.

The EMA’s final assessment report notes that only a small number of clinical studies were available regarding the diuretic effect of Orthosiphon leaf. The evidence was not sufficient to establish a well-established medicinal use based on modern clinical trials. Its accepted European use is therefore classified as traditional use.

A large proportion of Java tea research involves:

-Cell cultures

-Isolated enzymes

-Animal models

-Concentrated extracts

-Individual plant compounds

-Small or older human studies

These studies are valuable for generating hypotheses. They do not automatically predict what will happen when a person drinks one ordinary cup of dried-leaf tea.

An extract can also be chemically different from a household infusion. Alcohol-water extracts, standardised capsules and isolated sinensetin cannot be treated as identical to loose leaves brewed in hot water.

The honest conclusion is:

-Traditional urinary use is well documented.

-Regulatory herbal monographs recognise that tradition.

-Preclinical pharmacology is broad and promising.

-High-quality human clinical evidence remains limited.

-Disease-treatment claims are not justified.

Java tea versus punarnava: are they the same?

No.

Java tea and punarnava are different plants:

Feature	Java tea	Punarnava
Botanical name	Orthosiphon aristatus	Boerhavia diffusa
Plant family	Lamiaceae	Nyctaginaceae
Traditional identity	Strong Southeast Asian association	Established classical Ayurvedic identity
Common part used	Leaves and tender stem tips	Root, whole plant or other parts depending on preparation
Common modern positioning	Urinary-flow and kidney-wellness infusion	Ayurvedic formulation ingredient and wellness herb

Both may appear in modern kidney-wellness discussions, but they are not interchangeable. Their chemistry, traditional context, dosage and safety considerations differ.

Java tea versus green tea

Java tea and green tea are also completely different.

Feature	Java tea	Green tea
Botanical source	Orthosiphon aristatus	Camellia sinensis
Natural caffeine	None	Present
Flavour	Mildly herbal and slightly bitter	Vegetal, grassy, marine or nutty depending on style
Traditional focus	Urinary-flow support	Daily beverage with extensive cultural traditions
Key researched compounds	Rosmarinic acid, sinensetin and other flavonoids	Catechins such as EGCG, caffeine and L-theanine

Calling Java tea “green tea” merely because the dried leaves are green would be inaccurate.

How to make Java tea

Product-specific directions should come first because cut size, leaf density and quality vary. For a gentle household infusion, the following method provides a practical starting point.

Ingredients

-1 teaspoon or approximately 2 g of dried, food-grade Java tea leaves

-200–250 ml freshly boiled water

-Optional small piece of ginger or lemongrass

Brewing instructions

1. Place the dried Java tea leaves in a cup, infuser or teapot.

2. Pour freshly boiled water over the leaves.

3. Cover and steep for approximately 5–10 minutes.

4. Strain completely.

5. Allow the infusion to cool to a comfortable temperature.

6. Taste it without sweetener before adding anything.

Begin with a mild infusion. More leaf and a longer brew are not automatically better.

The EMA assessment documents traditional herbal-tea preparations using approximately 2–3 g per serving in historical sources, with multiple daily servings in some medicinal contexts. That should not be interpreted as personalised advice. A commercial product must follow the directions allowed for its market and formulation.

Can Java tea be cold brewed?

It can be infused in cool water for a longer period, but cold brewing may produce different extraction and creates additional food-safety considerations. Use clean utensils, potable water, refrigeration and a short storage time.

For traditional preparation and more predictable extraction, hot infusion is the simpler method.

Can Java tea be mixed with other herbs?

Yes, but each additional herb adds its own effects and precautions.

Simple flavour combinations may include:

-Java tea with lemongrass

-Java tea with ginger

-Java tea with peppermint

-Java tea with cinnamon

Avoid building a strong multi-herb “kidney detox” blend without qualified formulation support. Combining several diuretic herbs can increase the risk of dehydration or medication interactions.

When is the best time to drink Java tea?

Because Java tea is traditionally used to increase urinary flow, morning or early afternoon may be more convenient than bedtime.

Avoid consuming a large amount immediately before:

-Sleeping

-Long-distance travel

-Exercise in hot weather

-Situations where toilet access is limited

People sensitive to fluid shifts or blood-pressure changes should be especially cautious.

How often can Java tea be consumed?

There is no single schedule suitable for every product and every person.

Use the product’s directions. If Java tea is marketed as an ordinary food infusion, do not assume that traditional medicinal doses apply. If it is regulated as a traditional herbal medicinal product, follow its approved label.

Do not use continuously to manage recurring urinary symptoms without obtaining medical advice. Persistent symptoms may indicate infection, stones, prostate problems, diabetes, medication effects or another condition requiring diagnosis.

Java tea safety and side effects

Natural does not mean risk-free.

Possible concerns may include:

-Increased urination

-Dehydration if fluid intake is inadequate

-Dizziness, particularly in people with low blood pressure

-Changes in electrolyte balance with excessive or combined diuretic use

-Digestive discomfort

-Allergic reaction

Reliable interaction studies are limited. Lack of documented interactions does not prove that no interaction exists.

Who should avoid Java tea?

Seek medical guidance before using Java tea if you:

-Are pregnant or breastfeeding

-Are under 18 years of age

-Have kidney disease or reduced kidney function

-Have heart disease or heart failure

-Have liver disease

-Have low blood pressure

-Have been advised to restrict fluids

-Have swelling caused by heart or kidney problems

-Take prescription diuretics

-Take blood-pressure medicine

-Take diabetes medicine

-Take lithium

-Take medicines that affect potassium or other electrolytes

-Are preparing for surgery

-Have an allergy to Orthosiphon or related plants

Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been adequately established. Avoiding use in the absence of professional advice is the prudent approach.

People with conditions where increased fluid intake is unsafe should not use a flushing herbal tea routine.

When urinary symptoms require medical care

Java tea is not appropriate for self-treating severe or persistent urinary symptoms.

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you experience:

-Fever or chills

-Pain or burning during urination

-Blood in the urine

-Severe back, side or abdominal pain

-Nausea or vomiting with urinary symptoms

-Very low urine output

-Inability to urinate

-Symptoms lasting more than a few days

-Repeated urinary infections

-Swelling of the legs, face or abdomen

-Pregnancy with urinary symptoms

A urinary tract infection may require antibiotics. A blocked urinary tract or infected kidney stone can become an emergency. Increasing urine flow does not address every cause and may be inappropriate in some situations.

How to identify good-quality Java tea

Quality matters because medicinal plants can be confused, substituted, contaminated or poorly stored.

Look for:

-Botanical name clearly listed

-Plant part identified as leaf or aerial material as appropriate

-Clean, recognisable tea-cut leaves

-Natural green-to-brown colour without visible mould

-Fresh herbal aroma

-Batch identification

-Packaging that protects from moisture and light

-Clear preparation instructions

-Safety information

-Testing or quality documentation where available

Avoid products that promise:

-Guaranteed kidney-stone removal

-Complete kidney repair

-UTI cure without medicine

-Immediate uric-acid elimination

-Rapid fat loss through urination

-A universal “detox” for everyone

Responsible herbal products explain both potential use and limitations.

Why Java tea remains underrated

Java tea has several qualities that suit modern wellness:

-It is naturally caffeine-free.

-It has a long traditional history.

-Its botanical appearance and cultural names create a memorable story.

-It can be prepared simply with hot water.

-It offers a mild flavour suitable for blending.

-It has genuine scientific interest without needing exaggerated promises.

It remains underrated partly because it sits outside the most commercially familiar Ayurvedic herbs. Consumers readily recognise tulsi, ashwagandha and brahmi, while Orthosiphon aristatus sounds technical and unfamiliar.

That is an opportunity for responsible education.

Java tea does not need to be transformed into a miracle product. Its real story—an Asian cat’s-whiskers plant with a documented tradition of urinary-flow support—is already distinctive.

How Java tea can fit into a modern wellness routine

For a healthy adult without contraindications, Java tea may be enjoyed as:

-A naturally caffeine-free herbal beverage

-An occasional alternative to green or black tea

-A morning or afternoon infusion

-Part of a mindful hydration ritual

-A way to explore lesser-known Asian botanicals

It should sit alongside—not replace:

-Adequate water intake

-Balanced nutrition

-Appropriate medical screening

-Prescribed treatment

-Professional advice for persistent symptoms

The goal is not to turn every cup into medicine. The goal is to understand the herb, prepare it responsibly and appreciate its place in traditional plant knowledge.

Frequently asked questions about Java tea

What is Java tea?

Java tea is a caffeine-free herbal infusion made from the leaves of Orthosiphon aristatus, a tropical Asian plant also known as cat’s whiskers, misai kucing and kumis kucing.

Is Java tea an Ayurvedic tea?

Java tea is used in modern Asian and Indian herbal wellness contexts, but it is most strongly associated with Southeast Asian traditional medicine rather than the best-known classical Ayurvedic tradition.

Why is it called kidney tea?

The name reflects its traditional use as a diuretic herb intended to increase urinary flow. It does not mean that it cures kidney disease or repairs damaged kidneys.

Is Java tea caffeine-free?

Pure Java tea is naturally caffeine-free. Blends may contain caffeine if tea leaves, mate, guarana or other caffeinated ingredients are added.

What are the main Java tea benefits?

Its most established traditional use is supporting increased urinary flow in minor urinary complaints. Other researched areas are mostly supported by preliminary laboratory or animal evidence rather than strong human trials.

Does Java tea detox the kidneys?

“Kidney detox” is not a precise medical concept. The kidneys naturally filter the blood. Java tea may increase urination, but it does not cleanse damaged kidneys or remove every toxin.

Can Java tea dissolve kidney stones?

There is insufficient evidence to claim that Java tea dissolves kidney stones. Stone type and size matter, and obstruction can be dangerous. Seek medical assessment for suspected stones.

Can Java tea treat a urinary tract infection?

No reliable evidence shows that Java tea can replace antibiotics or medical care for a UTI. Fever, painful urination, blood in the urine or back pain requires prompt evaluation.

Can Java tea lower uric acid?

Traditional claims and preclinical studies exist, but robust human evidence is insufficient. It should not replace gout or uric-acid medication.

Can Java tea reduce blood sugar?

Preclinical studies have explored this possibility, but Java tea is not a proven diabetes treatment. People taking diabetes medicine should consult their clinician before regular use.

Is Java tea good for weight loss?

It does not directly burn body fat. Increased urination may cause temporary water loss, which should not be confused with sustainable weight loss.

How do you brew Java tea?

Steep approximately one teaspoon or about 2 g of dried food-grade leaves in 200–250 ml of freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes, then strain. Follow the product directions where they differ.

What does Java tea taste like?

It tastes mildly herbaceous, leafy, slightly earthy and gently bitter.

When is the best time to drink Java tea?

Morning or early afternoon may be more convenient because its traditional diuretic effect could increase urination.

Can Java tea be consumed every day?

Daily use is not suitable for everyone. Follow the product label and consult a healthcare professional if you have a medical condition, use medication or want to consume it regularly.

Who should not drink Java tea?

Pregnant or breastfeeding people, children, individuals with kidney or heart disease, people advised to restrict fluids, and those taking diuretics or medicines affecting blood pressure, glucose or electrolytes should seek professional advice first.

Final thoughts

Java tea deserves greater recognition—but for the right reasons.

It is a distinctive, naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion made from Orthosiphon aristatus, the beautiful cat’s-whiskers plant of tropical Asia. Its long-standing association with urinary flow has been recognised in European traditional herbal assessment, and its leaves contain compounds that continue to attract scientific research.

At the same time, evidence for treating kidney stones, urinary infections, diabetes, gout, hypertension, obesity and chronic kidney disease remains insufficient. Traditional use can inform a wellness ritual, but it should never be transformed into a guaranteed medical promise.

For Ayurveda lovers, Java tea offers a chance to explore beyond the familiar herbs and discover a respected Southeast Asian botanical tradition. Brew it simply, use it thoughtfully and let honesty remain part of the experience.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general education and is not medical advice. Herbal products may cause side effects or interact with medicines. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using Java tea for a health condition, particularly during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, or when managing kidney, heart, liver, blood-pressure or blood-sugar conditions.