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. After 1–2 weeks, joint pain and function improved compared to those not taking the supplements (10). They choose cat’s claw because it has been shown to strengthen the immune system. Health Benefits of Cat’s Claw. A vine that is also known as Uña de Gato or vilcacora, Cat’s Claw is used as a traditional cure for a wide array of health concerns in Peru, specifically for arthritis, digestive problems, and asthma. The Amazonian medicinal plant, the cat’s claw, has many anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious virtues.. Cat’s claw, also called Uña de Gato, is a natural product originating from Peru and more precisely from the Amazon rainforest.This climbing vine has been used for thousands of years by Peruvians. Today, cat’s claw is promoted as a dietary supplement 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. These can include herbs and supplements like turmeric and…, Lyme disease natural treatments: Do they exist? Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Today, it’s commonly consumed as a supplement due to its alleged health benefits. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the health benefits of cat’s claw besides other herbs. Cat’s Claw is a woody vine that grows in the rain forests of Peru and is often called “Miracle Herb of the Rain Forest” by the Peruvian natives. The bark and root have been used for centuries in South America as a traditional medicine for many conditions, such as inflammation, cancer, and infections. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Herbs and Supplements to Treat Crohn’s Disease, 10 Herbs That May Help Lower High Blood Pressure. We’ll spotlight nine of them for you. (9). 8 Devil’s Claw Benefits 1. (16). It clings to the sides of trees as it grows by using its claw-shaped thorns. (Reference 2) Many doctors today believe that cats claw may have a profound ability to get rid of deep-seated infection lodged in the bowel and perhaps even the mesentery, which can derange the uterus and associated anatomic parts: the prostate, liver, spleen, kidneys, thymus and thyroid, for starters. How? Osteoarthritis is the most common joint condition in the United States, causing painful and stiff joints (7). Complementary and alternative treatments for osteoarthritis may help you manage symptoms. It has been used for years by the local tribes as a way to boost the immune system, which is why medical professionals have recently been performing studies about cat's claw and the brain. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. These two highly impressive findings came with no signs of acute or chronic toxicity in the animal subjects. Health Benefits of Cat’s Claw Bark According to some studies, cat’s claw bark may contain immune-boosting and antioxidant properties, act as a diuretic, and lower blood pressure. Cat’s Claw Benefits. It allegedly helps fight a range of ailments, including infections, cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease (1). Available information to develop dosage guidelines for cat’s claw is insufficient. Cat’s claw is a tropical woody vine belonging to the Rubiaceae plant family. Provides Arthritis Relief. This herb has undergone quite a bit of medical research since the 1970’s. In one study in 45 people with osteoarthritis in the knee, taking 100 mg of cat’s claw extract for 4 weeks resulted in reduced pain during physical activity. We’ll go over some of the most popular natural remedies for Lyme disease and explore the research…, Mayo is a popular condiment for sandwiches and often used as a base for salad dressings and sauces. are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Researchers are looking into the possible benefits of cat’s claw for people suffering from Crohn’s disease. Inflammation can really affect one’s daily life. It’s also been used in South American folk medicine to treat arthritis, intestinal complaints and wounds. By cleansing the intestinal walls, cats claw enables the body to better absorb nutrients, thus helping to correct nutritional imbalances created by digestive blockages. 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. There is insufficient research into the risks of cat’s claw, although side effects are rare. Uncaria tomentosa is the more heavily researched and used form when it comes to medicinal use and immune modulation. But some people are turning to alternative medicine. Some of the most important health benefits of cat’s claw include its ability to reduce inflammation, speed healing, soothe gastrointestinal issues, likely reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer, improve the immune system, and prevent degenerative diseases. In 2008, there was one case report of Parkinson’s disease becoming worse after a man started taking cat’s claw, and he improved after he stopped taking cat’s claw. Researchers also observed a repair of DNA, both single and double strand breaks. According to a Japanese study in 2010, devil’s claw (particularly the harpagoside compound) caused a significant reduction of arthritic inflammation in a group of mice. However, more studies are needed. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. All of these are thought to have, in varying degrees, an action that can be attributed to the many benefits of Cats Claw. Cat’s claw is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, and it should not be given to a child unless under a doctor’s supervision because its use has not been studied in children. Cat's claw got its name from the curved, claw-like thorns that grow on its stem. Therefore, it’s best to purchase cat’s claw from a reputable supplier to reduce the risk of contamination. Using skin cultures, researchers found that the extract protected human skin cells from death induced by ultraviolet radiation. One potential risk is that many herbal supplements — including cat’s claw — are not tightly regulated by the FDA. Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms & Sources to Reverse It! In this double-blind study, 24 weeks of treatment with the cat’s claw extract resulted in a reduction of the number of painful joints compared to the placebo. List of various diseases cured by Cat's Claw. Look out for brands that have been independently tested by companies such as ConsumerLab.com, USP, or NSF International. Another small study in four men given cat’s claw extract for six weeks noted the same results (4). 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. However, after eight weeks, the benefits were not sustained. (5) Dr. Josh Axe is on a mission to provide you and your family with the highest quality nutrition tips and healthy recipes in the world...Sign up to get VIP access to his eBooks and valuable weekly health tips for FREE! While side effects of cat’s claw are rarely reported, available information to determine its overall safety is currently insufficient. Despite many marketing claims, there is insufficient evidence to support using cat’s claw for conditions like cancer, allergies, and AIDS. (1). 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. Cat’s claw contains several powerful compounds — such as phenolic acids, alkaloids, and flavonoids — that may promote health (14, 15). A dosage of 250 milligrams per day is a recommendation for Crohn’s sufferers. 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. Cat's Claw may help create support for the intestinal and immune systems of the body, and may also creates intestinal support with its ability to cleanse the entire intestinal tract. There are several prescription medications that can help you manage your Crohn’s symptoms. Cat’s claw can aid in alleviating almost any symptom, from neurological to … Names of Cat's Claw in various languages of the world are also given. This article tells you everything you need to know about cat’s claw, including its benefits, side effects, and dosage. However, diarrhea or loose stools are typically mild and subside with continued use of the herb. (6). Cat’s claw seems to work both by boosting your immune response and calming an overactive immune system (3, 5). The herpes-fighting ability of cat’s claw is associated with its polyphenols working synergistically with its oxindole alkaloids or quinovic acid glycosides. It’s said to contain over 30 known constituents, including at least 17 alkaloids, along with glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterol fractions and other compounds. Chemotherapy is a common conventional cancer treatment with many negative side effects, including damage to the DNA of healthy cells. Once in Pozuzo, Brell used cat’s claw to treat his own rheumatic pain. In vivo studies have shown that water-soluble extracts of cat’s claw … Studies show that cat’s claw effectively reduces the growth of cancer and tumor cells, thereby reducing the effect of cancer. Discontinue use if a reaction occurs, and seek medical attention if necessary. Appears to block the production of inflammatory substances such as ConsumerLab.com, USP, or.! Curved thorns are considered to be a significant source of income for many Peruvian and villages! 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