|
2005.
Awaiting revision 2007
UNCARIA TOMENTOSA - CAT'S CLAW
HERB OF THE MONTH
Cat's
Claw is a woody Amazonian vine has only recently
caught the attention of western herbalists and researchers. Its
Spanish name is Una de
Gato, and it is native to the jungles of Peru
where it can be found wrapped around trees of the Amazon rain
forest.
Though a relatively young herb in the western world, Cat's
Claw has been used traditionally for centuries,
by the Ashaninka Indians. The native people of Peru would boil
Cat's
Claw root and inner bark to prepare a medicinal
tea or decoction for the treatment of tumours and other serious
diseases.
In order to protect this
important plant in the ever decreasing rain forests, Peruvian laws
have been set up to ban the extraction and export of Cat's
Claw root. The inner bark, which is just as rich
in active constituents, is to be used only. Leaving the root allows
the vine to naturally replenish itself.
It is said that the Ashaninka women would boil up large doses of
fresh shredded Cat's
Claw bark into a tea, to use for
contraceptive purposes.
Since the 1970s, studies and research have been carried out by
scientists in Peru, Germany, Austria, England and other countries,
to find out more about the powerful healing properties of
Cat's
Claw.
Some advocates of Cat's
Claw suggest that the therapeutic actions of this
herb are superior to those of Pau d'Arco, Echinacea, Goldenseal and
Astragalus.
USES OF CAT'S CLAW
It does seem that
Cat's
Claw is a modern elixir with suggested benefits
for all aspects of intestinal problems - from Crohn's disease to
parasites; and many ailments associated with immune system
deficiencies.
Research has identified alkaloid constituents that are responsible
for Cat's
Claw immune strengthening action. This may be the
reason it has been used by the natives of Peru for centuries to
treat tumours.
DIGESTIVE TRACT - Cat's
Claw has been used to assist
with
- Crohn's disease
- Gastritis and duodenal ulcers
- Intestinal inflammation
- Parasites
- Balancing intestinal
flora
| |
IMMUNE SYSTEM - Cat's
Claw can help to stimulate the immune
system and has been reported to ease problems associated
with
- Arthritis
- Rheumatism
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Infections, both viral and fungal. For example,
Herpes and
Candida
| |
DOSAGE
Tincture: 20 - 40 drops in a
little water or juice 3 times daily.
Capsules (325mg min): 1 - 2 capsules 3 times daily with
food or drink.
Or follow the instructions on any proprietary pack of a
Cat's
Claw product being used.
COMBINATIONS
Cat's
Claw can often be found combined with other
'immune' herbs with similar healing properties. A popular
combination is Cat's Claw and Echinacea.
[Next:
Cautions...]
| 
