Cats claw (U. tomentosa) is a large, woody vine that derives its name from hook-like thorns that grow along the vine and resemble the claws of a cat. Two closely related species of Uncaria are used almost interchangeably in the rainforests: U. tomentosa and U. guianensis. Both species can reach over 30 m high into the canopy. U. tomentosa has small, yellowish-white flowers, whereas U. guianensis has reddish-orange flowers and thorns that are more curved. Cat’s claw is 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.
There are other species of plants with a common name of Cats claw (or una de gato) in Mexico and Latin America; however, they are entirely different plants, not belonging to the Uncaria genus, or even the Rubiaceae family. Several of the Mexican una de gato varieties have toxic properties.
U. tomentosa is used in notropic drugs, as well as in treatment of cancer and HIV infection. It contains several alkaloids that are responsible for its overall medical effects, as well as tannins and various phytochemicals. The chemotype of the plant determines the dominant type of alkaloid it produces, and thus its properties in vivo. One chemotype has roots which produce mostly the pentacyclic alkaloids that are responsible for the immune strengthening effects desired by most consumers.
The second chemotype produces tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids known as rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline which counteract the immune strengthening actions of the pentacyclic alkaloids, reduces the speed and force of the heart’s contraction, and in high doses produce ataxia, lack of coordination and sedative effects. Since U. tomentosa comes in at least these two different chemotypes, without chemical testing it is impossible to know which chemical compounds will predominate in a plant collected randomly from a natural setting.
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.
Cat claw is used commercially as a medicinal herb primarily for immune system stimulation. Other therapeutic applications for cats claw are many, which is a common trait of herbs with immune stimulatory activity, and include: disease prevention, cancer, recovery from chemotherapy side effects, recovery from childbirth, urinary tract infections, wounds, fevers, hemorrhages, and weakness. Applications for cats claw which have had some clinical research include viral infections, pain and symptoms of Herpes infections, and for inflammatory conditions, such as Rheumatoid arthritis.
Pharmacological activities that have been found in cats claw are anti-inflammatory, immune system stimulation, cytoprotection and antioxidant. Recently, a couple new trademarked products have come into the dietary supplement market in the United States with new clinical research on new uses for cats claw.
Cats claw has been reported growing in the Western countries of the Central and South American continent as far North as Belize, and South into Paraguay. Maranao, Brazil, is the most Eastern area cats claw has been reported to grow naturally.
Cats Claw is available in capsule or tablet forms at your local or internet health food store. Look for name brands like Source Naturals, Now Foods, and Planetary herbals to ensure quality and purity of the product you purchase.
*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Cats claw is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.