Description

Cat’s Claw is the bark and root parts of a woody vine which grows in the “montaña” part of the Peruvian Amazon, which is the cooler, higher elevation part of the Amazon (approximately 600-1000 meters above sea level). The root of the plant, which may contain a higher percentage of some phytoactives is illegal to be collected in Peru, because it endangers the survival of the species. Another species is also known as Uña de Gato (Cat’s Claw). This species, Uncaria guianensis, grows at sea level and low altitudes, and does not contain the immune system strengthening compounds of Uncaria tomentosa, although it has the other beneficial properties. This is a cheaper more abundant species to collect and the bark from both plants is virtually indistinguishable. The easiest way to tell the two species apart is by the leaf. Uncaria tomentosa has fine hairs which grow on the underside of the leaf. Ultimately, the best insurance that you are getting the correct species of Cat’s Claw in your herbal extract is both the reputation of the Herbal company you buy from and “finger print” of the plant being sold. These will soon be available for inspection through Whole World Botanicals.

Health Benefits of Uncaria Tomentosa

Cardiovascular System

• helps to prevent Atherosclerosis (due to the Rynchophylline content of Uncaria tomentosa inhibiting the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque that occurs during the progression of Atherosclerosis)
• inhibits abnormal Blood Clotting (due to Rynchophylline inhibiting platelet aggregation).
• helps to prevent Heart Attack (due to the Rynchophylline content of Uncaria tomentosa).
• lowers C-Reactive Protein level in the blood, helping to prevent Heart Attack.
• helps to lower Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients (due to the Rynchophylline content of Uncaria tomentosa).
• may help to prevent Strokes (due to Rynchophylline’s ability to inhibit Platelet Aggregation (implicated in abnormal Blood Clotting) and Thrombosis).
• helps to prevent and alleviate Thrombosis (due to Rynchophylline). There is published research to support this.

Digestive System

• alleviates Crohn’s Disease (according to many physicians’ observations). There is published research to support this.
• Alleviates Constipation
• alleviates Diverticulitis. There is published research to support this.
• alleviates Dysentery
• alleviates Gastritis
• is claimed to be capable of cleansing the entire Gastrointestinal Tract (according to the many physicians’ observations).
• alleviates Intestinal Parasites and Candida (according to the observations of many physicians, but other interventions at the same time are needed for optimal effect).
• improves the health and functionality of the Intestines.
• alleviates Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There is published research to support this.
• alleviates Ulcerative Colitis (according to physicians using Uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis). There is published research to support this.

Immune System: Cancer

• Uncaria tomentosa is claimed to be of great and consistent benefit as adjuvant nutritional support for Cancer patients.
• adjuvant nutrtiional support for Brain Cancer patients. There is published research to support this.
• helps to minimize the toxic side effects of Chemotherapy in Cancer patients.
• helps to minimize the toxic side effects of Radiation Therapy in Cancer patients (according to anecdotal reports).
• adjuvant nutritional support for some types of Skin Cancer (some physicians have observed decreases in the visible size of some Skin Cancers).

Immune System - Infections

• facilitates the expulsion of Entamoeba histolytica (a type of Detrimenal Protozoa) from the body (especially when used in conjunction with Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)) (according to anecdotal reports).
• adjuvant nutritional therapy for many people with Viral Diseases.
• adjuvant nutritional therapy for people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): There is research to support this.
  
• is claimed to activate the Immune System of persons infected with HIV.
  
• is claimed to inhibit the replication of the HIV virus.
  
• is claimed to counteract and reduce the toxic side effects of Zidovudine (AZT).
  
• adjuvant nutritional support to help inhibit the onset of opportunistic infections in AIDS patients.
  
• Provides effective adjuvant nutritional support for people with Influenza. There is published research to support this.

Immune System - General

• Nutritional support for people with Allergies.
• Uncaria tomentosa stimulates the body’s production of Helper T-Cells (due to Oxindole Alkaloids). There is published research to support this.
• reduces Inflammation (due to its Antioxidant effects and due to its ability to inhibit Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) There is published research to support this.
  
• nutritional support for people with Lupus Erythematosus
  
• Uncaria tomentosa increases Macrophage activity. There is published research to support this.
  
• enhances the ability of Phagocytes to destroy Antigens (due to Oxindole Alkaloids). There is published research to support this.
  
• Anti-Viral Activity. Live Blood Cell Analysis performed in clinical practice shows significant reduction in total viral load, according to physician reports.

Metabolism

• The constituents of Uncaria tomentosa possess Antioxidant properties. There is published research to support this.
• In some cases, part of adjuvant nutritional therapy for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): numerous people report relief of symptoms of CFS after using Uncaria tomentosa for at least one month.
  
• part of adjuvant nutritional therapy for people with Diabetes Mellitus.

Musculoskeletal System

• may alleviate Bursitis (according to the observations of many physicians).
  
• may alleviate the Pain and Inflammation associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis (according to the observations of many physicians).

Nervous System

• Uncaria tomentosa may be useful for the brain health Uncaria tomentosa has been demonstrated to retard the deposition of Amyloid-Beta Protein, associated with Alzheimer's Disease). There is published research to support this.
• Uncaria tomentosa may alleviate Depression according to some physician reports.

Respiratory System

• part of adjuvant nutritional therapy for people with Asthma (according to the observations of many physicians).

Skin

When applied topically accelerates the healing of Wounds, according to many anecdotal reports.

Uncaria tomentosa stimulates the production of Interleukin 1. There is published research to support this.

Nucleic Compounds

Uncaria tomentosa helps to prevent damage to the body’s endogenous Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and facilitates the repair of damaged DNA. There is published research to support this. (especially when used in conjunction with Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM))

Toxic Substances

Immune System Chemicals

• Inhibits the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-alpha form). There is published research to support this.

Proteins

• Inhibits the deposition of Amyloid-Beta Protein. There is published research to support this.
• Inhibits the activation of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B. There is published research to support this.

Recreational Drugs

• Cat’s Claw helps to minimize the toxic effects of Tobacco smoking.
• Cat’s Claw significantly reduces the mutagenicity of substances present in the Urine of Tobacco smokers.

Chemical Composition of Uncaria tomentosa

The chemical compounds in Uncaria tomentosa have been analyzed and according to published research, it contains the following compounds:

Alkaloids:
Pentacyclic Oxindole Alkaloids (POA):
Isomitraphylline
Isopteropodine
Mitraphylline
Pteropodine
Speciophylline
Uncarine F

Tetracyclic Oxindole Alkaloids (TOA):
Isorynchophylline
Rynchophylline

Glycosides:
Triterpenic Quinovic Acid Glycosides

Lipids: Phytosterols:
Beta-Sitosterol
Campesterol
Stigmasterol

Triterpenes
Polyphenols:
Flavanols:
Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC)

The inner bark of contains up to 0.5% Pentacyclic Oxindole Alkaloids (POA). The roots and leaves contain higher levels of Pentacyclic Oxindole Alkaloids than the stem bark.

The Pentacyclic Oxindole Alkaloids of Uncaria tomentosa are primarily stereoisomers of one another and can interconvert in some conditions.

Dosage Recommendations

Traditional Use:
Typically, the indigenous people of Peru boil 20 - 30 grams of Uncaria tomentosa inner bark and/ or root in a liter of water for 30 - 60 minutes to prepare a tea. (If the tea is shredded, 30 minutes is sufficient.) This is then consumed throughout the day for several days to several months. This protocol can be used for the treatment of serious conditions.

Infusion
For less serious conditions and preventative purposes, 10 grams of dried Uncaria tomentosa inner bark or root can be boiled in one liter of water to produce a tea. Drinking 2 - 3 cups of this tea is often beneficial.

Tincture
The usual therapeutic dosage of Uncaria tomentosa tincture is 1 - 4 ml per day.

Viana Muller, Ph.D. 2003 This article may not be reprinted without permission from the author.