Cats Claw or ua de gato (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis) is a woody, climbing vine native to tropical areas of South and Central America. Uncaria tomentosa has small, yellowish-white flowers, Uncaria guianensis has reddish-orange flowers and thorns that are more curved. The vine gets its name from the small thorns at the base of the leaves, which looks like a cat's claw. These claws allow the vine to attach itself around trees climb them.
Cats Claw has been used in South American medicine for centuries as an immunostimulant, as an antiviral, an anti-inflammatory, and to treat infections, arthritis, for cancer and gastrointestinal disorders.
The parts used medicinally include the inner bark and root. Cats Claw commonly available in capsules, tablets, tea and extracts in health food stores at reasonable prices.
Cat's claw contains several groups of phytochemicals that account for the plant's effects on the body. There is evidence that phytochemicals made by plants may reduce the risk of cancer, possibly due to dietary fibers, polyphenol antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. Some phytochemicals, have enough scientific validation to be allowed limited health claims by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Cat's claw boosts the immune system by invigorating the immune response. Cat's claw has alkaloids, tannins and several other phytochemicals help the body kill germs, and help inhibit normal healthy cells from becoming cancerous. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce and other inflammatory issues like arthritis. Quinovic acid glycosides is one group of phytochemicals that has documented anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions. Studies of cat's claw are ongoing to determine its effectiveness in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and cancers.
Phytochemicals that are found in cats claw include ajmalicine, akuammigine, campesterol, catechin, carboxyl alkyl esters, chlorogenic acid, cinchonain, corynantheine, corynoxeine, daucosterol, epicatechin, quinovic acid glycosides, harman, hirsuteine, hirsutine, iso-pteropodine, loganic acid, lyaloside, mitraphylline, oleanolic acid, palmitoleic acid, procyanidins, rhynchophylline, rutin, sitosterols, speciophylline, stigmasterol, strictosidines, vaccenic acid and uncarine A thru F. There is evidence that some of these ingredients act as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer agents.
Cautions - As with any herb or supplement, it is strongly advised to let your health care provider know before taking cats claw. When taken at the recommended dosages few side effects have been reported. Although uncommon, side effects may include headaches, dizziness, and vomiting.
People allergic to plants in the Rubiaceae family and different species of Uncaria may be more likely to be allergic to Cat's Claw. Reactions can include itching, rash and allergic inflammation of the kidneys.
Cat's claw has a history of use for preventing and aborting pregnancy, for this reason it should not be used by women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Cat's claw is used to stimulate the immune system, for this reason it may not be safe for people with conditions affecting the immune system. Always let your health care provider about any alternative practices you are using.
There are other plants known as cat's claw (or ua de gato) in Mexico and Latin America that are completely different plants, some are toxic.
Scientific classification for Cats claw Kingdom: Plantae Order: Gentianales Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Uncaria Species: Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis - 14130
Cats Claw has been used in South American medicine for centuries as an immunostimulant, as an antiviral, an anti-inflammatory, and to treat infections, arthritis, for cancer and gastrointestinal disorders.
The parts used medicinally include the inner bark and root. Cats Claw commonly available in capsules, tablets, tea and extracts in health food stores at reasonable prices.
Cat's claw contains several groups of phytochemicals that account for the plant's effects on the body. There is evidence that phytochemicals made by plants may reduce the risk of cancer, possibly due to dietary fibers, polyphenol antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. Some phytochemicals, have enough scientific validation to be allowed limited health claims by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Cat's claw boosts the immune system by invigorating the immune response. Cat's claw has alkaloids, tannins and several other phytochemicals help the body kill germs, and help inhibit normal healthy cells from becoming cancerous. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce and other inflammatory issues like arthritis. Quinovic acid glycosides is one group of phytochemicals that has documented anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions. Studies of cat's claw are ongoing to determine its effectiveness in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and cancers.
Phytochemicals that are found in cats claw include ajmalicine, akuammigine, campesterol, catechin, carboxyl alkyl esters, chlorogenic acid, cinchonain, corynantheine, corynoxeine, daucosterol, epicatechin, quinovic acid glycosides, harman, hirsuteine, hirsutine, iso-pteropodine, loganic acid, lyaloside, mitraphylline, oleanolic acid, palmitoleic acid, procyanidins, rhynchophylline, rutin, sitosterols, speciophylline, stigmasterol, strictosidines, vaccenic acid and uncarine A thru F. There is evidence that some of these ingredients act as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer agents.
Cautions - As with any herb or supplement, it is strongly advised to let your health care provider know before taking cats claw. When taken at the recommended dosages few side effects have been reported. Although uncommon, side effects may include headaches, dizziness, and vomiting.
People allergic to plants in the Rubiaceae family and different species of Uncaria may be more likely to be allergic to Cat's Claw. Reactions can include itching, rash and allergic inflammation of the kidneys.
Cat's claw has a history of use for preventing and aborting pregnancy, for this reason it should not be used by women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Cat's claw is used to stimulate the immune system, for this reason it may not be safe for people with conditions affecting the immune system. Always let your health care provider about any alternative practices you are using.
There are other plants known as cat's claw (or ua de gato) in Mexico and Latin America that are completely different plants, some are toxic.
Scientific classification for Cats claw Kingdom: Plantae Order: Gentianales Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Uncaria Species: Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis - 14130
About the Author:
This article is by Herb B. Lewis, visit his site Pure Essence Labs. Also visit Cat's Claw.
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