Cat's Claw

Uncaria tomentosa

Family: Rubiaceae; other members include coffee, gardenia and chinchona

Genus: Uncaria

Species: U. tomentosa

Common Names: Cat's claw, uña de gato, samento, vilcacora

Parts Used: Bark and root

Active compounds:

Oxindole Alkaloids: These compounds are primarily responsible for the immunostimulant effects of the plant.

Quinovic Acid Glycosides: These contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

Triterpenoids and Sterols: These have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Intro

Cat's claw is a potent healing plant with a rich history of use in traditional medicine and efficacious potential in modern herbalism. Today, Cat's claw is used for a variety of health conditions, including viral infections (such as herpes, human papilloma virus and HIV), Alzheimer's disease, cancer, arthritis, diverticulitis, peptic ulcers, colitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, parasites and leaky bowel syndrome.

The plant

The two most common species are Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis, while the former tomentosa is mostly used medicinally. Cat's claw grows mostly in the Amazon rainforest, as well as tropical areas in South and Central America. It is a woody, thorny vine that can reach up 30 metres. Cat's claw, also known as "uña de gato" gets its name from the small, claw-shaped thorns that grow along its vine and help it climb trees and other structures. The “claws” or hooks grow out of the stem at leaf junctions and if the stem is cut, drinkable water exudes from it. Cat claw’s flowers are small, tubular and yellow, growing in clusters and its leaves are opposite, oval to elliptical and have a smooth edge.

Sustainable harvesting is crucial to avoid over-exploitation. As a plant native to the Amazon, it plays a role in the ecosystem and its conservation is tied to the broader health of the rainforest.

Traditional Uses

The traditional knowledge of Cat's claw as medicine has been passed down through generations and its use is still prevalent among indigenous communities of South America today for its health benefits. The Ashanica Indians of the Peruvian Amazon believe cat’s claw is a life giver and they drink a cup or two of a decoction made from the root weekly in the belief that the herb prevents disease, reduces pain and prolongs life. They also rely on the herb as a treatment for dysentery, ulcers, tumours, infections and inflammatory conditions. This includes conditions such as arthritis, both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, as well as other inflammatory disorders. Indeed modern research has affirmed how the plant enhances the immune system, helping the body to fight off infections and diseases. Cat’s claw was introduced to North America, Asia and Europe in the 1990s after studies showed the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties. In 1974, Austrian researchers isolated six medicinal compounds from Cat’s claw root and bark. Later an Austrian company was awarded U.S. patents for a chemical process that extracts the oxindole alkaloids from the plant.

Medicinal Properties

Cat’s claw has good anti-inflammatory properties that effectively reduce pain, particularly in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is a good choice to relieve ongoing chronic inflammation and can help in conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome. Especially because chronic inflammation accelerates the senescence of immune cells, resulting in weakened immune function and cat’s claw demonstrates effective immune-modulating properties.

Cat's claw is used to combat viral infections such as herpes. The plant has been used topically to aid in wound healing and to treat skin conditions because of how well it inhibits bacterial infections. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make cat’s claw a valuable addition in first aid ointments and washes.

The plant has been shown to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Researchers at a leading Traditional Chinese Medicine college found that Cat’s claw reduces cholesterol and blood pressure, while inhibiting the formation of arterial plaque deposits. The research showed how this herb helped to prevent the blood clots that trigger heart attacks and most stokes.

Cat's claw is a powerful digestive herb that can be employed to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders because it cleanses the digestive tract and eliminates harmful pathogens. The herb is beneficial for ulcers, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is also helpful for Crohn's Disease that involves an abnormal immune response that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.

There is increasing anecdotal evidence of cat’s claw helping chronic prostatitis, canker sores, sinus infections and flu. This is encouraging for us to explore its many qualities and reassuring that it does not contain mutagenic (cancer-initiating) compounds and that there have been no reports of serious adverse reactions to the herb. Indeed, cat’s claw has been the subject of research for its anti-cancer and anti-tumour properties, probably due to its remarkable immuno-modulatory properties. The herb offers significant antioxidant properties, which reduces the formation of free radicals in the body and helps decrease the damage they cause to body cells.

Safety and Side Effects

Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals with autoimmune diseases or organ transplants. Cat's claw may interact with medications for high blood pressure, cancer and blood clotting, as well as immunosuppressants.

The Spiritual Qualities of Cat’s claw

The spiritual qualities of Cats claw herb are deeply rooted in its historical and cultural significance to enhance spiritual well-being and connection to the natural world. Cat's claw is often regarded as a protective herb that creates a barrier against negative energies and harmful influences. It can be used in spiritual cleansing rituals to clear stagnant or negative energies from a person’s energy field or for clearing a space, promoting a sense of renewal and clarity.

The herb is thought to help individuals feel more grounded and connected to the earth, encouraging a deeper connection with nature, fostering a sense of harmony and balance with the natural world.

Cat's claw is associated with the healing of spiritual wounds. A spiritual wound refers to deep emotional or psychological pain that affects a person's sense of self, purpose, or connection to the world and others. These wounds can stem from various experiences such as trauma, loss, betrayal, or a crisis of faith. They often manifest as feelings of emptiness, disconnection, or a pervasive sense of being "broken." Cat’s claw can assist in the release of past traumas and emotional blockages, promoting emotional and spiritual well-being. This rejuvenates the spirit, providing strength and vitality to those feeling spiritually depleted or fatigued. Users of Cats claw may experience heightened intuitive abilities, gaining deeper insights and clarity in their spiritual practices. This herb can open the mind and spirit to higher states of awareness, facilitating deeper meditation and spiritual growth, if we are open to this level of healing.

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