Family: RUBIACEAE Species: tomentosa Common Names: cat claw, una de gato, paraguayo, garabato, garbato casha, samento, toron, tambor huasca, una huasca, una de gavilan, hawk’s claw Parts Used: Inner bark, root Medicinal Properties: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antitumorous, antiviral, cytostatic, depurative, diuretic, hypotensive, immunostimulant, vermifuge Internal Uses: acne, AIDS, allergies, arthritis, asthma, bursitis, cancer, candida, colitis, crohn's disease, cysts, depression, diabetes, diverticulitis, dysmenorrhea, environmental illness, fatigue, fungal infection, gastritis, gonorrhea, hay fever, herpes, leaky gut, parasites, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatism, shingles, tumors, ulcers, wounds Internal Applications: tea, tincture, capsules Topical Uses: athlete's foot, conjunctivitis, fistula, hemorrhoids, herpes, shingles, wounds Topical Applications: Salve, compress or poultice for athletes foot, fistulas, fungal infections, hemorrhoids, herpes, shingles and wounds. Eyewash for conjunctivitis. Culinary uses: Stem yields a fresh clear liquid that is refreshing to drink Characteristics: warm Chemical Constituents: Oxindole alkaloids (alloisopteropodine, alloptropodine, isopteropodine, rhynchophylline, uncarine), quinovic acid, triterpenes, polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol), catechin tannins. Contraindications: Avoid during conception, pregnancy and nursing. Some people will experience a 'healing crisis' or worsening of their symptoms before benefits are realized. A possible side effect may be diarrhea. Not for people on immune suppressing drugs or someone anticipating an organ or bone marrow transplant. Avoid root products. Though effective, they contribute to the decimation of the plant. Habitat: Cat’s Claw is a large, woody vine that get its name from hook like thorns that grow along a vine that resemble the claw of a cat. Two species of Uncaria are used interchangeably in the rainforest: Both U. tomentosa and U. guianensis can reach 30 meters in height however, U. tomentosa has small, yellowish white flowers, while U. guianensis has reddish orange flowers with the thorns being more curved. Both species being indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and tropical areas Of South and central America, including Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. Peru has the longest recorded history for the use of cat’s claw and is the largest commercial source of the plant to this day.
Comments: Cat’s claw is used to treat asthma and inflammations of the urinary tract, recover from childbirth, a kidney cleanser, to cure deep wounds, arthritis, rheumatism, and bone pain. Cat’s claw has received official recognition as a medicinal plant pointed out that not since quinine was discovered in the bark of a Peruvian tree during the seventeenth century had any other rainforest plant ever prompt worldwide attention. The most attention given to the oxindole alkaloids found in the bark and roots of cats claw, which have been documented to stimulate the immune system. Many studies have indicated that at least six of these oxindole alkaloids can increase the immune function by up to 50% in relatively small amounts. This has led to its use as a adjunctive treatment for cancer and AIDS as well as other disease that negatively impact the immunological system.
Anti-inflammatory immunostimulating effects the sterol componants of Cat's Claw have been found to have anti-inflammatory activity (Senatore, 1989). Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema was shown to respond to per oral doses of various extracts of Cat's Claw dried root bark (Aquino, 1991). The beta-sitosterol fraction, which accounts for 60% of the total steroid content in the herb is thought to be responsible for most of the anti-inflammatory effect (Senatore, 1989). Uncaria tomentosa extract has been found to stimulate interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 production by alveolar macrophages (Lemaire, 1999).
Cats Claw Products
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose‚ treat‚ cure or prevent any disease.
