Uncaria tomentosa is the Latin name for Cat’s Claw, while Una de Gato is the plant’s Spanish name. Cat’s Claw is an herb long revered for its healing properties. Native to regions of South America and Central America, the plant is appropriately named based on its appearance: the Cat’s Claw plant is actually a vine-like plant that has sharp thorns resembling claws.
Typically, the roots and the bark of the plant are what are utilized for treatment. Cat’s claw is also known to help individuals suffering from painful diseases like Arthritis and Cancer. In fact, Cat’s Claw is an effective immune system booster, which makes an excellent treatment for individuals that are suffering from immunological difficulties.
Cat’s claw is used in the Peru as treatment for Rheumatism, irregularities in the female menstrual cycle, Depression, and even as a treatment for acne. Sometimes Cat’s Claw is also used to successfully treat wounds: this is because of its anti-bacterial properties. White blood cell activity is also increased with the use of Cat’s Claw which can help promote natural healing processes.
Cat’s Claw grows beautifully and naturally in warm tropic regions, particularly in the forests of Peru. It can grow to immense heights because it is a climbing vine like plant. The thorns are actually the source of the Cat Claw’s name, each thorn on the plant looks exactly like a thick, sharp claw. The plant is also called Lianas, because of its high climbing, wood-like trailing plant characteristics.
The roots of the plant can grow to be the size of a large melon and the plant takes nearly 20 years to reach complete maturation. There are a couple of tiny, pointed thorns at the bottom of several leaves and the source of this plants name is based on the idea that the entire plant shares likeness to the claws in a cat’s paw; these help the creeping plant to grip onto other trees, where it grows.
The Cat’s claw plant possesses a number of different components that make it useful as a natural treatment. The plant contains glycosides, quinovic acid, sterols, and tannins, all components which make the herb powerful against various illnesses and the symptoms that accompany them. Further, Cat’s claw is an herb that has several active compounds including alkaloids, phytosterols, proanthocyanidins and triterpenes. The alkaloids are what assist’s immune system functioning, and in some cases, are believed to minimize the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
There are actually two different types of Cat’s Claw that exist: the Uncaria tomentos species and the uncaria guianensis species. It is believed that while both species have similar properties, the Uncaria tomentos is more potent than the other species in treating an array of illnesses and ailments.
Cat\'s claw is obtainable in several forms. The herb can be purchased as a dried extract, freshly crushed bark, in capsule form, in tablet form, tinctures, and it can be brewed into a cup of tea. A cup of Cat’s Claw tea consists of hot water and 1 gram of the herb’s bark. The tea can be safely ingested up to three times every day.
Young children should not take Cat’s Claw unless they have been cleared by a physician to take the product. Likewise, the elderly will want to get a doctor’s okay before beginning a course of Cat’s Claw.
There is not enough research and information to recommend Cat’s Claw use in children. Again, seeing a doctor or professional herbalist is recommended before giving children Cat’s Claw. Meanwhile, adults can safely use the herb without being harmed. It is still a good idea to visit someone knowledgeable about herbs before beginning the use of Cat’s Claw or any herb.
The tea brew ratio is 1 gram of the herb to 8 ounces of boiled water. The tea will have to be steeped for a period of 20 minutes. The user can use a tea ball or a cup with a built in strainer to drain out the remaining bark before drinking the tea. This dosage can be taken three times a day, equaling no more than 24 ounces of the tea concoction.
In pill form, the user should follow instructions on the bottle the Cat’s Claw is contained in. Usually, 10 to 60 grams is an appropriate dosage.
Women that are pregnant and nursing should not take Cat’s Claw. There is not enough research to determine if the herb will harm a fetus or not and the herb may be transferred into the mother’s breast milk. Also, women interested in conceiving a child should refrain from its use because the herb can act like a natural contraceptive.
There are some side effects associated with the use of Cat’s Claw. If Cat’s Claw is consumed in large enough quantities the user may experience Diarrhea, abdominal cramping and discomfort. Further, patient’s with Lupus, a disease which involves the overactive immune system, should refrain from using the herb—it can result in the onset of kidney failure.
Cat\'s claw should not be mixed with hormonal medications, the use of insulin, or with any vaccines. Also, the herb can cause the immune system to start rejecting foreign cells; for this reason, individuals that have had tissue transplants or organ transplants should not partake of Cat’s Claw. Finally, Cat\'s claw has also been noted to exaggerate, the effects of high Blood pressure medications.
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