25901

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 09:23
Top Product Attributes

  • Common Name

    Cat’s Claw

  • Botanical Name

    Uncaria tomentosa

  • Part Used

    Bark

  • Clinical Summary

    Click here

  • Monograph

    Click here

  • Alcohol

    60%

  • Dose

    15 to 40mL weekly

From the highlands of the Peruvian Amazon, cat’s claw has been used for thousands of years to treat immunologic and digestive disorders. Some conditions reportedly improved by cat’s claw include gastritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, prostatitis, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual irregularity, viral illnesses and cancer (acting as a non-specific immunomodulating agent).

Main Product Attributes
A guide to Cat’s Claw and its properties

  • Traditional Use

    Used in traditional and cultural practices in South America for centuries, especially in Peru, where the Ashaninka Indians classified it as a 'powerful plant' and used it to restore health. It’s significance in traditional medicine is emphasised by its exclusive use by priests to influence the communication between the physical and spiritual in people.

  • Actions

    Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, immunostimulant, antiviral, antibacterial, emmenagogue

  • Indications

    •    Rheumatism and as an adjunct therapy to conventional treatment (it helps reduce the number of painful and swollen joints), inflammation of the joints, arthritis (all kinds), muscle pains, strains and injuries
    •    Other inflammatory conditions such as cystitis, Crohn's, colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastric ulcers, gastritis or other disturbances in the gastrointestinal system
    •    For strengthening the immune system and as an adjuvant therapy in acute and recurrent infectious diseases particularly viral infections including human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes zoster, herpes simplex and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and dengue
    •    Adjunctive therapy for cancer (to reduce side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and protect cells) 
    •    A general daily tonic (to tone, balance and strengthen all body functions), convalescence, debility, chronic fatigue syndrome and Lyme disease
    •    Externally for acute and chronic inflammation of the skin such as cuts, bruises, burns or insect bites
    •    Reputed to be contraceptive

  • Energetics

    Warming

  • Use in Pregnancy

    Owing to its traditional use as an emmenagogue and as a contraceptive at high doses, it’s use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.

  • Contraindications & Cautions

    Based on the belief that cat’s claw is an immunostimulant it is not advised for patients awaiting bone marrow or organ transplant, persons with medically induced immunosuppression (e.g., patients with organ transplants), autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis or tuberculosis.  However, some researchers disagree with this view and suggest that cat’s claw may be helpful for transplant patients.

  • Drug Interactions

    Caution with protease inhibitors (e.g. antiviral drugs such as atazanavir, ritonavir, saquinavir) and anticoagulant/antiplatelet (such as warfarin) and immunosuppressant drugs.

  • Dietary Information

    Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free

  • Substitutes

    Andrographis, Echinacea, Thuja, Reishi