Origin: Cat's Claw is a tropical vine that grows in rainforest and jungle areas in South America and Asia. The vine gets its name from the small thorns at the base of the leaves, which looks like a cat's claw. These claws enable the vine to attach itself around trees climbing to a heights up to 100 feet.

History: Some cultures refer to the plant as the 'Sacred Herb of the Rain Forest'. Many cultures native to the South American rain forest areas have used this herb for hundreds of years. The plant is considered a valuable medicinal resource and is protected in Peru. Many cultures native to the South American rain forest areas have used this herb for hundreds of years.

Plant Constituents

Medicinal Parts Used: Inner bark, root

Contains:

• alkaloids, including rhynchophylline 
• eight glycosides phytochemicals
• steroids
• tannins, including cis-epicatechin which is a powerful antioxidant

Usage

Cat's Claw is used for:

Blood Conditions

• protects small blood vessels of the brain from free radical damage 

Cardiovascular Conditions

It may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by:

• controlling cholesterol
• increasing circulation
• lowering blood pressure
• reducing heart rate

Female Conditions

• female hormonal imbalances
• Premenstrual Syndrome

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• acts on the digestive systems
• colitis
• Crohn's disease
• diarrhea
• diverticulitis
• gastric inflammationgastric ulcers
• intestinal ailments [often used homeopathically]
• leaky bowel syndrome

Genitourinary Tract Conditions

• urinary tract infections

Immune System Conditions

• acts on the immune and digestive systems
• boosts the body's immune system
• diseases relating to immune system malfunction where inflammation occurs
• helps the body fight off infections
• improves its response to viral and respiratory infections
• protects against degenerative diseases

Any situation where immune system suppression is induced, such as:

• bone-marrow transplants
• organ transplants
• skin grafts

Inflammatory Conditions

• arthritis
• allergies
• lupus

Male Conditions

• prostate conditions

Metabolic Conditions

• control of diabetes

Parasitic and Viral Conditions

• chronic fatigue syndrome
• viral infections such as herpes and other retroviruses
• parasites
• treatment of AIDS [in combination with AZT] 

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• allergic respiratory conditions
• rheumatoid arthritis

Other

• skin impurities
• tumors
• healing of wounds

Externally it has been used for:

• abscesses (leaf poultice)

Action: 

• anticancer properties
• anti-hypertensive effects [lowers blood pressure]
• anti-inflammatory [eases inflammation]
• antioxidant [contributing to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia]
• tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]

Precautions

Contraindications:

• not suitable for children under three
• do not use during pregnancy and lactation