The Cats Claw Herb

Uncaria tomentosa

The cats claw herb is also know as Peruvian cat’s claw, Samento, Gambir plant, Garabato, Hawk’s claw, and Una de gato.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Cat's claw plant is a tropical, woody, climbing vine that gets its name from its cat-like thorns that hook into a tree allowing it to climb up to 100 feet high into the rainforest canopy. It has small, yellow-white flowers and thorns.

Cat’s claw is native to the Amazon rain forest of South and Central America and other tropical regions of Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

Although the cats claw herb is common for its use in the gastrointestinal system, in today’s modern herbal medicine, cat’s claw is becoming known as an exceptional immune response stimulator.

Because of its immune-stimulant properties it helps the body to fight off infections and protect against degenerative diseases. Other cats claw benefits help to alleviate many of the side-effects of medications and therapy used, including radiation in the treatment of aids and cancer patients.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Use internally for:

* colds

* arthritis

* rheumatism

* gastritis

* irritable bowel syndrome

* leaky bowel syndrome

* cancer

* Hiv/Aids

* Crohn’s disease

* gastric ulcers and tumors

* parasites

* colitis

* diverticulitis

* dermatitis

* acne

* neuralgias

* viral disease

* lowering blood pressure

* increasing circulation

* reducing heart rate

* controlling cholesterol

* PMS

* chronic fatigue syndrome

* lupus

* prostate conditions.

PREPARATIONS:

Cat’s claw is available in extract, tincture, capsule, tea, and bulk herb.

Cat’s claw can be used as a tea and infusion.

Parts used: Inner bark and roots

Collection: The cats claw vine must reach a sufficient diameter for harvesting. It usually takes about eight years and then the vine is cut one to three feet from the ground and stripped. Then the bark is cut into sections and dried.

Constituents: Alkaloids, tannins, phytochemicals

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, antioxidant, anticancer properties, immune stimulate properties

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

* People who take insulin for diabetes should not take the cats claw herb.

* Cat’s claw should not be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers.