* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Cat's Claw Uncaria tomentosa DC.
Family: Rubiaceae.
Other Names: Katzenkralle (German); uña de gate (Spanish).
Description: A woody and thorny creeper (vine) up to 60 m long with modified flowering stalks acting as tendrils, simple leaves in opposite pairs and cream-coloured flowers in rounded clusters. The vernacular name is derived from the claw-like thorns; but there are numerous unrelated plants that are also known in Latin America as una de gato or cat's claw.
Origin: Tropical South and Central America. The plant is predominantly wild-harvested.
Parts Used: Root (Uncariae tomentosae radix) or stem bark (Uncariae tomentosae cortex).
Therapeutic Category: Immune regulant.
Uses and Properties: Used for diverse indications, including AIDS, cancer, herpes, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, diabetes, circulatory problems and arthritis. It appears to be an adaptogenic tonic, as it is claimed to be immune modulating, anti-inflammatory antimutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, antiviral and antioxidant.
Preparation and Dosage: The recommended daily dose is 2 - 6 g (for tea) or preparations of 20 - 60 mg standardized extracts (1:10).
Active Ingredients: Several monoterpene indole alkaloids and triterpene saponins derived from quinovic acid are present. The plant occurs in chemotypes, one containing mainly pentacyclic oxindoles (e.g. pteropodine, isopteropodine, isomitraphylline), while the other has predominantly tetracyclic oxindoles, such as rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline.
Pharmacological Effects:In vitro studies have indicated immune modulating, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antitumour, antiviral and antioxidant effects, but clinical trials are needed to substantiate the claims that U. tomentosa is effective against serious health conditions. One double-blinded trial with a standardized extract (absence of tetracyclics) of the root of the pentacyclic chemotype has demonstrated clinical relief in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Notes:U. guianensis is the second South American Uncaria, not closely related to U. tomtentosa - it has reddish flowers, more prominently curved thorns and contains a considerably lower content of oxindole alkaloids. In China, the stems and thorns of U. rhynchophylla (gou teng) are a traditional sedative and antispasmodic. Also used are U. acida, U. bernaysii, U. elliptica, U. gambir, U. hirsuta, U. lanosa and U. sinensis.
Status: Traditional medicine.
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Directions
Take 2-4 capsules, 3 times per day.
Ingredients
Cat's Claw Bark (Uncaria tomentosa) - 450 mg
Cautions
Do not use if you are pregnant, lactating or are a transplant carrier.
Additional Information
Herb-Xtra is committed to the manufacture of high quality, standardized and guaranteed natural health products and supplements.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
