Cat’s claw is a 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 benefits health because it contains so many active ingredients that possess medicinal properties.
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.
Key Health Benefits of Cat's Claw
Cat's Claw is best known as an immune modulator, meaning that it can increase deficient immune responses, which cause things like frequent colds and flu, as well as decrease improper immune responses, as happens in allergic reactions and inflammatory diseases.
Cat’s claw is also an anti-inflammatory agent that can be used for chronic inflammation. It has antioxidant activity which fights free radicals (unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable bump into healthy cells and cause damage). Cat’s claw’s antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals and reduce damage to the body, including damage to genetic material that may lead to unhealthy cell changes. Cat’s claw is recommended by natural health practitioners for a variety of conditions including the following, including viral infections, fungal infections, bacterial infections, arthritis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, stomach ulcers, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune disorders and unhealthy cell division.
Selecting The Best Cat's Claw Supplement Variety
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 flu or intestinal cleansing. You may want to inquire as to the source of the cat’s claw that you purchase to ensure it's pure, potent and high-quality.
Cautions, Considerations & Potential Side Effects
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.
