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Herb & Supplement Encyclopedia: |
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Cat's Claw |
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 Scientific Names |
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 Forms |
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 Traditional Usage |
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 Overview |
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 Active Ingredients |
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 Suggested Amount |
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 Drug Interactions |
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 Contraindications |
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 Side Effects |
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 References |
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Scientific Names: |
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Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) D.C. and U. guianensis (Aublet) Gmeliu. [Fam. Rubiaceae] |
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Forms: |
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Powdered, aqueous and alcohol extracts of the bark of said Uncaria species. |
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Traditional Usage: |
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- Antioxidant
- Bone and Joint Disorders
- Cellular Regeneration
- Cleansing
- Detoxification
- Gout
- Immune stimulation
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Ulcers
- Vascular Disorders |
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Overview: |
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Cat's Claw, Uncaria tomentosa and U. guianensis [Fam. Rubiaceae], known as Una-de-Gato in Spanish, is a liana vine found in the Amazon rainforest that gets its name from its claw-like thorns with which it is able to latch onto trees and reach heights of up to 100 feet. U. guianensis is the species most widely used in Europe, and U. tomentosa is the variety preferred in the United States. Traditionally, cat's claw was taken for a variety of conditions including abnormal growths, acute bone and joint disorders, liver strengthening properties, stomach ulcers, digestive disorders, gastritis, skin irritation and inflammation, epidemic diseases and it was even used as a contraceptive. Testing in the late 1980s revealed that some of the oxindole alkaloids in cat's claw are immune-stimulating and may help lower vascular pressure, improve circulation, inhibit clogging of the arteries and blood clots, thereby decreasing the risk of vascular disease. The bark's quinovic acid glycosides show systemic anti-inflammatory activity superior to indomethacin, a standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug often prescribed for reducing and/or relieving swelling. A recent placebo-controlled trial with 45 patients evaluated the ability of cat's claw to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. Pain associated with activity, medical and patient assessment scores were all significantly reduced, with benefits occurring within the first week of therapy. Cat's claw had no deleterious effects on blood or liver function or other significant side-effects compared to placebo. A recent study investigated the effects of bark extracts of U. tomentosa on the growth of a human breast abnormal cell lines. The research indicated that, in addition to antimutagenic activity, U. tomentosa extracts and fractions exert a direct anti-proliferative activity on abnormal cells. Fractions from the bark and leaves of cat's claw resulted in an anti-proliferative effect of about 90% inhibition at a concentration of 100 mg/ml. |
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Active Ingredients: |
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Cat's Claw bark contains: Pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (pteropodine, isopteropodine, isomitraphylline, uncarine F), tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline), quinovic acid glycosides, procyanidins, triterpenoid saponins. South American and Italian studies have isolated proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, triterpenes, and the plant sterols: beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol that shed light on the vine's anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic properties. |
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Suggested Amount: |
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Capsules: Up to nine 500 to 600 mg capsules a day.
Decoction: Simmer 1 tablespoon of the powdered root for 45 minutes in 1 quart of water. Drink before first meal of the day.
Tincture: 20 to 40 drops up to five times a day. |
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Drug Interactions: |
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No information or research is available on drug interactions.
European physicians do not recommend using cat's claw bark at the same time as taking with vaccines, insulin, hormone therapies, or fresh blood plasma. |
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Contraindications: |
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Do not take during pregnancy or lactation.
Not recommended for people with AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, organ transplants or any condition that affects the immune system. |
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Side Effects: |
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None known although not enough clinical studies have been conducted to make any definitive conclusions about its safety. Some cases of diarrhea have been reported. |
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References: |
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Duke, J. 1997: The Green Pharmacy, The Ultimate Compendium of Natural Remedies from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing and Herbs. Pp. 273; 508. Rodale Press.
McCaleb, RS, Leigh, E, Morien, K. 2000. Cat's Claw in The Encyclopedia of Popular Herbs. Publ. by Prima Publishing, 3000 Lava Ridge Court, Roseville, CA 95661.
Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, Okuhama NN, Miller MJ, Sandoval M. 2001. Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. Inflamm Res 2001 Sep; 50(9): 442-8
Reinhard KH. 1999. Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) D.C.: cat's claw, una de gato, or saventaro. J Altern Complement Med 1999 Apr; 5(2): 143-51.
Riva L, Coradini D, Di Fronzo G, De Feo V, De Tommasi N, De Simone F, Pizza C. 2001. The antiproliferative effects of Uncaria tomentosa extracts and fractions on the growth of breast cancer cell line. Anticancer Res 2001 Jul-Aug; 21(4A): 2457-61.
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