I haven’t tried this Herbs, but the information is so fascinating that I had to post here.
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I’ve previously written about cat’s claw as one of the best antiviral herbs to boost the immune system and fight infection. This powerful herb is not only antiviral — it also has anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and antioxidant properties. These health-promoting attributes may make cat’s claw helpful as a natural treatment for arthritis, allergies, asthma, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, viral infections, ulcers, hemorrhoids and more. (1)
This woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest can help many serious health problems by assisting the body in eliminating free radicals that cause cellular damage. Test tube studies also demonstrate that cat’s claw can stimulate the immune system, dilate blood vessels, act as a diuretic and relax smooth muscles (like the intestines).
Cat’s claw may be a more recent natural remedy in North American, but it has a lengthy history in South America dating back to the Inca civilization. It’s been used as traditional medicine by indigenous peoples in the Andes to treat inflammation, rheumatism, gastric ulcers, dysentery and even tumors. It’s also been used in South American folk medicine to treat arthritis, intestinal complaints and wounds. One of the most impressive effects of cat’s claw is its scientifically proven ability to repair DNA. (2)
It’s said to contain over 30 known constituents, including at least 17 alkaloids, along with glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterol fractions and other compounds. All of these phytonutrients can do amazing things in the body, like the benefits listed above.
Cat’s claw has also demonstrated its ability to fight against leukemia. A 2006 study published in the British Journal of Haematology was the first to investigate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of five highly purified oxindole alkaloids of Uncaria tomentosa, including isopteropodine, pteropodine, isomitraphylline, uncarine F and mitraphylline.
Four of the five alkaloids inhibited the proliferation of human leukemia cells in the lab, but the researchers found that cat’s claw pteropodine and uncarine F both were especially impressive. These alkaloids were most potent in both inhibiting the growth of human leukemia cells from and inducing the cells to undergo programmed cell death or apoptosis. This points toward these specific alkaloids having significant potential to not only stop cancer from continuing to grow, but also killing the cancer cells themselves. (6)
A 2015 study also found that the cat’s claw might be especially beneficial to advanced cancer patients by improving their quality of life and reducing fatigue. (7) All of this makes cat’s claw a potentially effective natural cancer treatment.
Cat’s claw has also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation and blood clot formation. This means that cat’s claw could likely be helpful in warding off heart attacks and strokes by not only decreasing blood pressure and increasing circulation, but by also inhibiting the formation of plaque and blood clots in the arteries, heart and brain. (10)
A 2001 study looked at the effects of using a water-soluble cat’s claw extract (250 and 350 milligrams per day) for eight weeks on adult volunteers who had previously received chemotherapy. The results were truly awesome. There was a significant decrease of DNA damage and an increase of DNA repair in both cat’s claw supplement groups compared to the non-supplement group. The supplement groups also had an increase in white blood cell proliferation, which is also a huge finding since chemotherapy commonly reduces white blood cell counts and increases infection risk. (8)
A 2006 study wanted to evaluated the ability of a water-soluble cat’s claw extract to enhance DNA repair in human skin. Using skin cultures, researchers found that the extract protected human skin cells from death induced by ultraviolet radiation. How? By increasing the ability of skin cells to repair the DNA damage done by UV light. Researchers conclude that cat’s claw extract should be considered for use as a natural sunscreen. (9)
A 2011 study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology looked at the effects of different preparations of Uncaria tomentosa on herpes in vitro and found they exhibited antimutagenic and antiherpetic activities. The herpes-fighting ability of cat’s claw is associated with its polyphenols working synergistically with its oxindole alkaloids or quinovic acid glycosides. (16)
Cat’s claw, specifically Uncaria tomentosa, is believed to be able to help fight the inflammation associated with Crohn’s. A dosage of 250 milligrams per day is a recommendation for Crohn’s sufferers. (17) If you can naturally calm the inflammation, unwanted Crohn’s symptoms should improve greatly.
Cat’s claw is also used to treat a wide array of digestive disorders, including colitis, diverticulitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome.
In the 20th century, a German natural scientist named Arturo Brell is responsible for making cat’s claw become popular. In 1926, he moved from Munich to Pozuzo, which is a small town founded by German colonists in the Peruvian rain forest. Once in Pozuzo, Brell used cat’s claw to treat his own rheumatic pain.
This Woody Vine from the Amazon Rainforest Enhances DNA Repair
It also has been shown to lower blood pressure, fight herpes and provide strong immune system support.
This woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest can help many serious health problems by assisting the body in eliminating free radicals that cause cellular damage. Test tube studies also demonstrate that cat’s claw can stimulate the immune system, dilate blood vessels, act as a diuretic and relax smooth muscles (like the intestines).
Cat’s claw may be a more recent natural remedy in North American, but it has a lengthy history in South America dating back to the Inca civilization. It’s been used as traditional medicine by indigenous peoples in the Andes to treat inflammation, rheumatism, gastric ulcers, dysentery and even tumors. It’s also been used in South American folk medicine to treat arthritis, intestinal complaints and wounds. One of the most impressive effects of cat’s claw is its scientifically proven ability to repair DNA. (2)
Nutrition Facts
For medicinal purposes, the root and and bark of the cat’s claw vine are made into tea, tinctures, capsules or tablets. Cat’s claw is full of beneficial plant chemicals.It’s said to contain over 30 known constituents, including at least 17 alkaloids, along with glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterol fractions and other compounds. All of these phytonutrients can do amazing things in the body, like the benefits listed above.
1. Treats Arthritis
2. May Fight Cancer
Scientific studies suggest cat’s claw may help kill tumor and cancer cells in test tubes. A 2001 in vivo study demonstrated that the bark of cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) prevented the growth of human breast cancer cell line MCF7 by having antimutagenic and antiproliferative effects on the cancer cells. (5)Cat’s claw has also demonstrated its ability to fight against leukemia. A 2006 study published in the British Journal of Haematology was the first to investigate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of five highly purified oxindole alkaloids of Uncaria tomentosa, including isopteropodine, pteropodine, isomitraphylline, uncarine F and mitraphylline.
Four of the five alkaloids inhibited the proliferation of human leukemia cells in the lab, but the researchers found that cat’s claw pteropodine and uncarine F both were especially impressive. These alkaloids were most potent in both inhibiting the growth of human leukemia cells from and inducing the cells to undergo programmed cell death or apoptosis. This points toward these specific alkaloids having significant potential to not only stop cancer from continuing to grow, but also killing the cancer cells themselves. (6)
A 2015 study also found that the cat’s claw might be especially beneficial to advanced cancer patients by improving their quality of life and reducing fatigue. (7) All of this makes cat’s claw a potentially effective natural cancer treatment.
4. Lowers High Blood Pressure
Studies of cat’s claw as a treatment for hypertension indicate that it may be helpful in naturally reducing high blood pressure. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a variety of cat’s claw (Uncaria rhynchophylla) has been used to lower blood pressure as well as improve various neurological symptoms.Cat’s claw has also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation and blood clot formation. This means that cat’s claw could likely be helpful in warding off heart attacks and strokes by not only decreasing blood pressure and increasing circulation, but by also inhibiting the formation of plaque and blood clots in the arteries, heart and brain. (10)
3. Repairs DNA
In vivo studies have shown that water-soluble extracts of cat’s claw (C-Med-100) can enhance DNA repair, mitogenic response and leukocyte recovery after chemotherapy-induced DNA damage. Chemotherapy is a common conventional cancer treatment with many negative side effects, including damage to the DNA of healthy cells.A 2001 study looked at the effects of using a water-soluble cat’s claw extract (250 and 350 milligrams per day) for eight weeks on adult volunteers who had previously received chemotherapy. The results were truly awesome. There was a significant decrease of DNA damage and an increase of DNA repair in both cat’s claw supplement groups compared to the non-supplement group. The supplement groups also had an increase in white blood cell proliferation, which is also a huge finding since chemotherapy commonly reduces white blood cell counts and increases infection risk. (8)
A 2006 study wanted to evaluated the ability of a water-soluble cat’s claw extract to enhance DNA repair in human skin. Using skin cultures, researchers found that the extract protected human skin cells from death induced by ultraviolet radiation. How? By increasing the ability of skin cells to repair the DNA damage done by UV light. Researchers conclude that cat’s claw extract should be considered for use as a natural sunscreen. (9)
5. Boosts Immune Function
Both animal and human studies have demonstrated cat claw’s powerful immune-boosting abilities. In one animal study, researchers gave subjects a water-soluble extract of cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) for eight weeks. They found that this supplementation significantly elevated subjects’ infection-fighting white blood cell count.6. May Aid in HIV Treatment
Some people with serious viral infections like HIV use cat’s claw as a dietary supplement. They choose cat’s claw because it has been shown to strengthen the immune system. In Southern Africa, HIV and AIDS are major health problems with an estimated 25.5 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. (13) The use of traditional remedies for HIV and AIDS is very common in Africa.7. Combats Herpes
Cat’s claw also appears to have positive immune system effects when it comes to herpes. The herpes virus can live dormant inside a person’s immune system for a lifetime, periodically causing blisters that burst and turn into open cold sores or ulcers before healing.A 2011 study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology looked at the effects of different preparations of Uncaria tomentosa on herpes in vitro and found they exhibited antimutagenic and antiherpetic activities. The herpes-fighting ability of cat’s claw is associated with its polyphenols working synergistically with its oxindole alkaloids or quinovic acid glycosides. (16)
8. Improves Digestive Problems like Crohn’s Disease
Researchers are looking into the possible benefits of cat’s claw for people suffering from Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.Cat’s claw, specifically Uncaria tomentosa, is believed to be able to help fight the inflammation associated with Crohn’s. A dosage of 250 milligrams per day is a recommendation for Crohn’s sufferers. (17) If you can naturally calm the inflammation, unwanted Crohn’s symptoms should improve greatly.
Cat’s claw is also used to treat a wide array of digestive disorders, including colitis, diverticulitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome.
Cat’s Claw Interesting Facts
Cat’s claw is also called the “life-giving vine of Peru.” Its use for health purposes actually dates back to the ancient Inca civilization in Peru. Cat’s claw or uña de gato is also the most sacred herb among the Ashaninkas, Campo and other Amazonian tribes. According to indigenous Shamans, uña de gato serves as a bridge and balancer between the physical and spiritual worlds, which is helpful to health problems since they believe in spiritual causes of bad health.In the 20th century, a German natural scientist named Arturo Brell is responsible for making cat’s claw become popular. In 1926, he moved from Munich to Pozuzo, which is a small town founded by German colonists in the Peruvian rain forest. Once in Pozuzo, Brell used cat’s claw to treat his own rheumatic pain.
