Cat’s Claw Extract Supplement: Lower Stress
Cat’s claw should not be confused with cat’s foot, the red and white flowers of Antennaria dioica, or devil’s claw, Harpagophytum procumbens, a shrubby vine that grows in southwest Africa and is also used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Furthermore, there are several other plants that may be confused with cat’s claw. They may be given the name cat’s claw, but they are actually quite different.
Cat’s Claw is a tropical woody vine that grows in the rain forests and jungles of Peru and has been referred to as “Miracle Herb of the Rain Forest “. The vine derives its name from the small thorns at the base of the leaves, which look like a cat’s claw.
Cat’s claw has been used, in combination with the drug AZT, for individuals who are HIV positive. Research continues to explore the usefulness of cat’s claw for viral infections such as HIV and herpes.
The immune enhancement usually results from the body’s increasing its production of interferon to fight a viral infection, making antibodies to immobilize a hostile antigen, or producing a greater number of lymphocytes and other white blood cells that police the highways of the body and fight invading microorganisms.
The active ingredients in Cat’s Claw are alkaloids, tannins and several other phytochemicals such as oxinole alkaloids, triterpines, glycosides, and sterols. These phytochemicals have adaptogenic, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cat’s claw consists of the dried bark from the root or stem of Uncaria tomentosa or Uncaria guianensis (two Amazonian vines). These large twining woody vines can grow to a length of 100 feet. The bark of the vines has long fissures and is yellowish to yellow-green in color.
A tea can be made by boiling the root bark of cat’s claw in water for five to 10 minutes and then straining the water. Tablets and capsules containing cat’s claw are available in many strengths, ranging from 250 milligrams up to one gram. A typical dose would be 300-milligram capsules taken three times a day. Extracts of cat’s claw are often standardized to 4 percent alkaloid content for effective results.
Cat’s claw appears to possess immune-enhancing properties without any unwanted side effects. Further research is needed to verify other potentially therapeutic properties of this herb from South America.
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