Cat's Claw
Cat’s Claw grows in the rainforest in South and Central America, and it’s usage is dating back to the Inca civilisation. It’s being used for immunity, and to ease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Usage
The roots and bark of the plant are used to treat several conditions because they contain an impressive blend of chemicals, such as alkaloids and glycosides. While used as a home remedy to treat a number of ailments, only some of these benefits are supported by science.
Ancient Herbal Therapy
The cat's claw is not a recent discovery, because there are records of its use in ancient times. South Americans have used it to relieve conditions such as asthma, arthritis, stomach ulcers, and inflammation.
The ancient Inca civilization used this plant for both viral infections and to stimulate the immune system. The bark and root have been used for centuries in South America as a traditional remedy for many conditions, such as inflammation and infections.
How to add cat's claw to your diet?
Make a Tea
Tea has a rich, earthy flavor and it’s often taken with lemon.
Supplement
Comes in the form of a liquid extract, capsule, and powder.
Excessive harvesting and destruction of the rainforest impose a serious threat to the plants.
Originally from the Amazon rainforest and other areas of Central and South America.
The cat's claw is a plant that thrives in forested areas.
Used to treat several conditions because they contain an impressive blend of chemicals.
About
There are two types of cat's claw plants that have been used medically, Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis. The former is more commonly used in the United States, while the latter is more popular in Europe.
The roots and bark of the plant are used to treat several conditions because they contain an impressive blend of chemicals, such as alkaloids and glycosides.
Composition
Cat's claw contains several important plant chemicals that are proven to reduce inflammation (tannins and sterols) and fight viruses (quinovic acid glycosides). Cat's claw extracts are made from the root.
The health benefit potential of the cat's claw plant comes primarily from the alkaloid found in its roots and bark. It is said that these alkaloids strengthen the immune system, which leads to various medicinal and healing benefits of this plant. Isopterpodine is recognized as the most active alkaloid in the cat's claw and is said to help prevent various viral problems.
Science
Studies have also found that extracts made from this plant can help protect the human body from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Laboratory experiments offer evidence that the effects of a cat's claw extend to the cellular level and can help preserve the integrity of DNA, the genetic design of the body's cells. DNA is highly vulnerable to free radical damage, which can contribute to cancer and other deadly diseases.
To determine if a cat’s claw extract could protect sensitive DNA from oxidative stress, scientists conducted a study of cultured human skin cells. They found that the aqueous extract of a cat's claw protected skin cells from death caused by ultraviolet radiation to increase the ability of cells to repair DNA damage induced by ultraviolet light. It can help alleviate the symptoms of viral infections, it can even be useful against shingles, herpes, and AIDS.
Although cat's claw roots and bark contain chemicals that might stimulate the immune system, kill cancer cells, and fight viruses, there is no good scientific evidence such as clinical trials and sufficient evidence to officially support any of these effects in vivo.
Safety
Cat's claw use has been associated with a few side effects, but there have not been enough scientific studies on cat's claw to determine its safety. Some reports mention dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea when taking cat's claw.
There is not much data on the clinical safety of a cat’s claw. No serious side-effects were reported in one trial whose participants had rheumatoid arthritis, but there was one report of serious kidney problems in a woman with lupus. Complete avoidance should be considered if one is using medication for hypertension because it may increase the effect of these drugs. The same applies to immunosuppressive drugs.
Fun Facts
Cat's claw climb as high as 100 feet, and it got it’s name from a three-pronged tendril with hooked tips.
Sources
Sheng, Y., Åkesson, C., Holmgren, K., Bryngelsson, C., Giamapa, V., & Pero, R. W. (2005). An active ingredient of Cat's Claw water extracts: Identification and efficacy of quinic acid. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 96(3), 577-584.
Hardin, S. R. (2007). Cat's claw: an Amazonian vine decreases inflammation in osteoarthritis. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 13(1), 25-28.
A water soluble extract from Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw) is a potent enhancer of DNA repair in primary organ cultures of human skin.
Mammone T, Akesson C, Gan D, Giampapa V, Pero RW. Phytother Res. 2006 Mar;20(3):178-83. doi: 10.1002/ptr.1827. PMID: 16521105 Cat's Claw. [No authors listed]
2019 Feb 18. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012–.PMID: 31643645
Recipes
