Uncaria tomentosa

Cat's Claw

Cat's Claw is a climbing vine indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South and Central America, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. The name comes from the claw-like thorns that are used by the vine to climb high into the canopy of the rainforest. There are two main documented species of this plant and they share similar chemical make-ups (U. tomentosa and U. guianensis) Many Native Tribes in the South American Rainforest have used this herb medicinally but the Ashaninka of central Peru are one of the largest commercial producers of Cat’s Claw and they as well as many other tribes have made the plant part of their medicinal and spiritual practice for over 2,000 years. Austrian researcher Klaus Keplinger learned about the plant from the Ashaninka, evaluated it in his lab, and then applied for US patents based on the isolation of certain chemicals (oxindole alkaloids) in the plant. The native people's value this plant's spiritual virtues as highly as its medicinal properties.

Product Image

What is Cat's Claw Used For?

There have been several areas of interest in the research related to Cat's Claw, most notably the effects on the immune system and the inflammatory pathways in the human body. * The group of chemical compounds in Cat's Claw known as glycosides have been the center of much of the research investigating how this plant may promote a healthy inflammatory response.* The oxindole alkaloids seem to show the most promise in the understanding of how this plant helps to support the healthy functioning of the immune system.* The native Ashaninka peoples have found this plant to literally be a gift from the gods.*

View Important Precautions

Product Image

Traditional Health Benefits of Cat's Claw

Foundational Support Foundational Support Immune Support Immune Support
Highlights

What is Cat's Claw Used For?

There have been several areas of interest in the research related to Cat's Claw, most notably the effects on the immune system and the inflammatory pathways in the human body. * The group of chemical compounds in Cat's Claw known as glycosides have been the center of much of the research investigating how this plant may promote a healthy inflammatory response.* The oxindole alkaloids seem to show the most promise in the understanding of how this plant helps to support the healthy functioning of the immune system.* The native Ashaninka peoples have found this plant to literally be a gift from the gods.*

View Important Precautions

Traditional Health Benefits of Cat's Claw

Foundational Support Foundational Support Immune Support Immune Support

Products Featuring Cat's Claw

Shop All Products
Active Constituents of Cat's Claw
Oxindole alkaloids (isopteropodine, pteropodine, mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, rynchophylline, and isorynchophylline), triterpenes, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, glycosides, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol
Parts Used
Bark
Additional Resources
1.) Pilarski, R., Zielinski, H., Ciesiolka, D., and Gulewicz, K. Antioxidant activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. J Ethnopharmacol 3-8-2006;104(1-2):18-23. 2.) Goncalves, C., Dinis, T., and Batista, M. T. Antioxidant properties of proanthocyanidins of Uncaria tomentosa bark decoction: a mechanism for anti-inflammatory activity. Phytochemistry 2005;66(1):89-98. 3.) Heitzman, M. E., Neto, C. C., Winiarz, E., Vaisberg, A. J., and Hammond, G. B. Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Uncaria (Rubiaceae). Phytochemistry 2005;66(1):5-29. 4.) Akhtar, N., et al. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2012 Jun;4(3):181-207 Domingues, A., et al. "Uncaria tomentosa aqueous-ethanol extract triggers an immunomodulation toward a Th2 cytokine profile." Phytother Res. 2011 Aug;25(8):1229-35 Rojas-Duran, R., et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Oct 11;143(3):801-4. 5.) Spelman, K., et al. "Modulation of cytokine expression by traditional medicines: a review of herbal immunomodulators." Altern. Med. Rev. 2006 Jun; 11(2): 128-50.
Important Precautions
Not to be used during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs, please consult with your doctor before use.
Disclaimer
This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.

More Herbs to Discover

Our Herbal Reference Guide lets you enhance your relationship with herbs by giving you a comprehensive profile of each plant.

English Ivy

English Ivy
African Geranium

African Geranium
Turkey Tail

Turkey Tail
Turmeric

Turmeric
Black Elderberry

Black Elderberry
Holy Basil

Holy Basil
Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha
Oregano

Oregano
Chaste Tree

Chaste Tree
Echinacea Purpurea

Echinacea Purpurea
Kava

Kava
Passionflower

Passionflower
Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle
Rhodiola

Rhodiola
Olive

Olive
Maca

Maca
Astragalus

Astragalus
Horny Goat Weed

Horny Goat Weed
Hawthorn

Hawthorn
Burdock

Burdock
Acacia

Acacia
Açaí

Açaí
Acerola

Acerola
Agave

Agave
View All Herbs