Cat’s Claw

Description

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Cat’s claw is a woody vine found in the Amazon rainforest, from northern Bolivia to Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and beyond. This liana-like plant, though not strictly a liana, climbs up other tree trunks and can reach lengths of up to 100 meters. Thorns resembling cat’s claws form in the leaf axils—hence the name—followed by clusters of flowers blooming in the same spot.

However, the value of cat’s claw lies in its bark, which contains a wealth of active compounds, from oxindole alkaloids to triterpenes, iridoids, glycosides, flavonoids, and many other benefits.

Historical sources show that cat’s claw has been used for over 2,000 years and continues to be used today as a highly effective medicinal herb.

~Properties and effects

Extracts from the roots and stem bark of cat’s claw stimulate the immune system and inhibit inflammatory processes—proven in numerous experiments. The substances in the bark have significant anti-leukemic, antiviral, and analgesic effects; they also support heart and vascular health and lower blood pressure. Experiments confirm that after six months of use, symptoms of rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis are noticeably reduced.

Cat’s claw is an ingredient in dietary supplements produced in the USA and in approved medications in Austria used for inflammation, rheumatism, tumors, stomach ailments, gastritis, diabetes, and heart attack prevention.

Cat’s claw bark is also recommended for:

*faster wound healing,

*detoxifying the body,

*chronic fatigue and low mood,

*constipation and bloating,

*intestinal parasites,

*hay fever and allergies.

~Usage ideas

*For general immunity, 1 g of cat’s claw bark powder per day is recommended.

*Therapeutic doses are approximately 20 g per day.

*To aid digestion and for gastritis, 5 g per day is recommended.

~Cat’s claw tea

Pour 1 liter of water over 1.5 tablespoons of bark, bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 minutes. Then, let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day.

~Cat’s claw tincture

Pour 100 ml of vodka (at least 40%) over 20 g of ground cat’s claw bark. Let it sit for 3-4 weeks, shaking occasionally. Then, strain through double cheesecloth.

Use no more than 60 drops per day.