Properties of the components

  • Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a tropical plant that grows in the rainforest and jungle areas of South America and Asia.  Some cultures refer to the plant as the «Sacred Herb of the Rain Forest».
  • The plant is considered a valuable medicinal resource and is protected in Peru.  Many cultures native to the South American rain forest areas have used this herb for hundreds of years.
  • Current studies show it may have positive effects and boost the body’s immune system.
  • The active substances in Cat’s Claw are alkaloids, tannins and several other phytochemicals. Some of the alkaloids have been proven to boost the immune system. The major alkaloid rhynchophylline has anti-hypertensive effects and may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by lowering blood pressure, increasing circulation, reducing heart rate and controlling cholesterol.
  • Other constituents contribute anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Many treatments combine the herb with other plants and natural products to increase absorption and bioavailability.
  • Cat’s Claw has long been used as a homeopathic treatment for intestinal ailments. Uses include: Crohn’s disease, gastric ulcers and tumors, parasites, colitis, gastritis, diverticulitis and leaky bowel syndrome. By stimulating the immune system, it can also improve the body’s response to viral and respiratory infections.
  • European clinical studies have used extract from Cat’s Claw bark in combination with AZT in the treatment of AIDS. It is also used in the treatment and prevention of arthritis and rheumatism, as well as diabetes, PMS, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and prostrate conditions.
  • The powerful immunomodulatory capacity of this plant allows us to consider it one of the most promising means of prevention and in treatment of cancer. Thus, there are numerous experimental results demonstrating the ability of the alkaloids Unkariya Tomentoza suppress the division of leukemia cells.
  • In addition to the alkaloids in the Unkariya Tomentoza include bioflavonoids, glycosides, triterpenes, tannins, organic acids, providing a large range of biological effects of this plant, namely:
    • antioxidant
    • anti-inflammatory
    • antispasmodic
    • antiseptic
    • hypotensive
    • hepatoprotective
    • choleretic
    • diuretic
    • detoxifying effect
  • Therefore Unkariya Tomentoza effective in treatment of :
    • arthritis
    • bursitis
    • chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract
    • after an operative intervention
    • gynecological inflammatory diseases
    • menstrual irregularities
    • prostatitis
    • chronic fatigue
    • depression
    • to increase resistance to infectious diseases

INTERESTING FACTS

  • Cat's Claw, also commonly called Uña de Gato, is a breakthrough herbal medicine that is reported to be beneficial to the treatment of cancer, digestion disorders, Crohn's disease, arthritis, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, bursitis, rheumatism, genital herpes and herpes zoster, allergies, ulcers, systemic candidiasis, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), along with numerous other bowl and intestinal disorders.
  •  It also is noted to have positive effect on immune system problems, including those infected with the HIV virus.
  • This wonder drug seems to have surpassed the capabilities of other sought after natural medicinal products such as golden seal, astragalus, Siberian Ginseng, maitake, and shark cartilage.
  • In the mid 1960's, an European teacher, Arturo Brell, and U.S. professor Eugene Whitworth, were the first to document the tribal uses of this plant. They also took plant samples and performed some screening for the active components. However, they did not market their discovery. Shortly afterwards, Cat's claw was rediscovered by Claus Keplinger, an Austrian scientist of Innsbruck University.
  • Dr. Keplinger has found that the bark contains various oxindole alkaloids and alloisopteropodine (the supposed isomer A), the substance purportedly effective as an anti-AIDS drug.
  •  In addition, Italian scientist have found quinovic acid glycosides in the bark, which also possess antiviral activity. European research has shown that Uña de Gato activates the immune system by increasing the amount of white blood cell activity.
  •  In Peru, there have been reported 20 instances where AIDS patients showed beneficial effects on their immune system, and in 30 days the lymphatic glands showed improvement.
  • It has also been observed that people who have taken Cat's Claw in combination with conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments have reported fewer side effects, such as hair loss, weight loss, nausea, secondary infections and skin problems. So far, there have been no noticeable side effects from high dosages of Cat's Claw.
  • However, it is  recommended that it not be taken by people who are using antiulcer medications, or by transplant patients, or those injected with foreign proteins as part of their normal therapy as it appears to increase the effectiveness of the immune system. Uncaria tomentosa also can cause uterine contractions so it should not be taken by pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant.
  • With further research, Cat's Claw could show to be the cure all or at least a helper for many of today's medical mysteries, such as cancer and AIDS, to mention a few. Just think of all of the other possible miracle drugs the Peruvian rain forest and other rain forests may hold.

Did you know...

According to legend, Cat's Claw was discovered by a despaired Peruvian hunter who was having difficulty getting game for his family. Then one day, he bserved a jaguar that was clawing at a vine and also drinking the water that was seeping from it. Immediately after the jaguar finished drinking, he made a successful kill. The hunter decided to follow the lead of the jaguar and drank some of the water from the vine. Immediately, the hunter felt rejuvenated. The next day, the hunter woke up full of newfound strength. He finally made a successful hunting excursion and was able to bring home much needed food for his family.