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Home >
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Supplement Articles
> Cat's Claw |
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Supplement Articles |
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CAT'S CLAW
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Cat's Claw is a great way
to fight viral illnesses ... |
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cat's claw |
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Cat's Claw can help
fight colds and flu |
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Cat’s claw is an
herb that comes to
us from the
rainforest and
native civilizations
like the Incas. The
name of this
climbing vine comes
from the curved
thorns that the
plant uses to fasten
itself onto other
plants. Cat’s claw
contains so many
active ingredients
that most of its
actions can be
contributed to
several of its
chemicals. It is
best known as a
immune modulator,
meaning that it can
increase deficient
immune responses,
which cause things
like frequent colds
and flus, as well as
decrease improper
immune responses, as
happens in allergic
reactions and
inflammatory
diseases. |
Cat’s claw is and
anti-inflammatory
agent that can be
used for chronic
inflammations.
It has antioxidant
activity. Free
radicals are
unstable molecules
that in their bid to
become more stable
must bump into
healthy cells and
cause damage.
Cat’s claw’s
antioxidant
properties
neutralize free
radicals and
therefore reduce
damage the body,
including damage to
genetic material
that may lead to
cancerous cell
changes. Cat’s claw is
recommended by
natural health
practitioners for a
variety
of conditions
including the
following, viral
infections, fungal
infections,
bacterial
infections,
arthritis, colitis,
Crohn’s disease,
stomach ulcers,
chronic fatigue
syndrome, AIDS and
cancer.
Cat’s claw can be
purchased as a loose
herb, encapsulated
herb or tincture.
Cat’s claw may be
found in formulas
for pain relief,
arthritis, colds and
flus or intestinal
cleansing. It
takes three to eight
years for cat’s claw
vines to become
large enough to
harvest.
Increased demand for
this plant has made
Cat's claw an
endangered species
in some South
American countries.
The government of
Peru has implemented
a planting campaign
to preserve cat’s
claw. You may
want to inquire as
to the source of the
cat’s claw that you
purchase.
Cat’s claw should
not be used in
pregnancy because it
may lead to
miscarriage. Due to
catnip’s
immunostimulating
action those on
immunosuppressive or
immunoglobulin
therapies, such as
transplant
recipients, should
not use it. Cat’s
claw decreases blood
clotting and should
not be used by
people with active
bleeding, those who
have had surgery
recently or those
who use blood
thinning
medications,
anti-inflammatories
or aspirin. |
Cat’s Claw–
QUICK FACTS
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PARTS USED
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·
Inner bark,
roots. |
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APPLICATIONS |
·
Viral
illnesses,
inflammation,
AIDS,
arthritis,
cancer,
ulcers.
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OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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750-3000mg
daily of
standardized
extract (to
the alkaloid
content.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Echinacea,
colloidal
silver,
glucosamine
sulphate,
MSM,
chondroitin
sulphate,
detoxifying
herbs,
marshmallow,
slippery
elm. |
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
·
Do not use
cat’s claw
if you are
pregnant.
·
Individuals
whose
condition is
dependent on
immune
system
depression
should not
use cat’s
claw.
·
Do not use
cat’s claw
if you are
taking
blood-thinning
medication.
·
Discontinue
the use of
cat’s claw
for 2 weeks
prior to
surgery or
dental
procedures.
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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