Cats Claw
Studies Beginning in the 1970’s Suggest Many Uses for Cat’s Claw
A new botanical nutrient, Uncaria Tomentosa, is being called by many the "Miracle Herb from the Rain Forest of Peru". It has been drawing increasingly more interest among the proponents of natural health care. Although virtually unheard of in the United States until recently, the beneficial effects of the Peruvian herb Uncaria tomentosa, commonly known as "una de gato" in Spanish and "cat’s claw" in English, have been studied at research facilities in Peru, Austria, Germany, England, Hungary and Italy, since the 1970’s. These studies suggest that the herb may be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, bursitis, allergies, diabetes, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, herpes, organic depression, menstrual irregularities and disorders of the stomach and intestines.
Properties attributed to cat’s claw include:
Adaptogenic
Anti-microbial
Antioxidant
Anti-viral
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-tumor
This emergence of knowledge about the activity of cat’s claw could not have come at a better time! Many people have become fearful that the war on cancer is being lost, that new potentially deadly viruses are evolving, and that more deadly "super-bacteria" are developing due to over use of prescription antibiotics. This is why increased attention is being placed upon "Nature’s Pharmacy", the botanical or herbal nutrients that offer so much hope.
In referring to cat’s claw, Newsweek reported that this "rain forest herb has been long used to treat asthma, ulcers, and cancer. In an article in Newlife, this herb was described as having so many therapeutic uses that it far surpasses such well known botanicals as Echinacea, Golden Seal, Astragalus, Siberian Ginseng, as well as Reishi and Shaitake mushrooms. ("Cat’s Claw – A Wonder Herb from the Peruvian Rain Forest", Newlife, February, 1995)
Dr. Brent Davis described cat’s claw as "The Opener of the Way" in referring to its ability to detoxify the intestinal Tract and to treat a variety of stomach and bowel disorders.
The anti-inflammatory qualities of cat’s claw have been found to be useful in the treatment of arthritis.
The possible anti-cancer qualities of cat’s claw were explored in a study on the mutagenic (ability to create mutations) activity in cigarette smokers’ urine. Non-smokers did not show mutagenic activity in their urine, while cigarette smokers did. After taking this natural plant substance, smokers’ urine showed a dramatic decrease of mutagenic activity.
