Cats Claw: Uses and Recipes

Cats Claw: Uses and Recipes

Once the medical system finds out about powerful herbs and plants, one of two things will happen: either they try to steal the plant and knowledge of its healing properties indigenous from people (and eventually turn them into profitable chemical drugs) or they discredit the plant as being fake and/or dangerous. Cat's Claw is one such plant - for now, the medical system is trying to test the plant for its health properties. Indigenous people in South America (especially in Peru) have been using this herb for thousands of years, and the modern medical system wants to cash in on their knowledge.

Cat's Claw is a tropical vine that grows in rainforest and jungle areas in South America and Asia. Some cultures refer to the plant as the "Sacred Herb of the Rain Forest" thorns at the base of the leaves look like a cat's claw, allowing the vine to attach itself to trees (and climb up to 100 feet!), hence its name. Cat's Claw is a very powerful plant, and it is protected in Peru as a medicinal resource.

Active agents in Cat's Claw are said to be alkaloids, tannins, and other phytochemicals.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) has been used medicinally by the Aguaruna, Asháninka (a tribe in central Peru that is said to hold the longest recorded history of using the plant), Cashibo, Conibo, and Shipibo tribes of Peru for at least 2,000 years.

The Asháninka uses Cat's Claw to treat asthma, inflammations of the urinary tract, rheumatism, and bone pain; to recover from childbirth; as a kidney cleanser; to cure deep wounds; to control inflammation and gastric ulcers; and for cancer. Indigenous tribes in Piura use Cat's Claw to treat tumors, inflammations, and gastric ulcers. Other Peruvian indigenous tribes use Cat's Claw to treat diabetes, urinary tract cancer in women, hemorrhages, menstrual irregularity, cirrhosis, fevers, abscesses, rheumatism, tumors, and inflammations as well as for internal cleansing and to "normalize the body". It is also used as a contraceptive by several different tribes of Peru. Dr. Fernando Cabieses, M.D., a noted authority on Peruvian medicinal plants, explains that the Asháninka boil 5 to 6 kg (about 12 pounds) of the root in water until it is reduced to little more than 1 cup. This decoction is then taken 1 cup daily during the period of menstruation for three consecutive months; this supposedly causes sterility for three to four years. In the traditional medicine of Peru, una de gato (Cat's Claw) is categorized as a "warm plant" to be used in warm conditions including arthritis, gastritis, asthma, and dermal and genito-urinary tract inflammations.

The modern medical system has been studying this herb, which is obviously a very powerful one. It is particularly interesting for those in AIDS research, as this herb can boost the immune system significantly. Cat's Claw is anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor.

Intestinal Issues - Cat's Claw is used for Crohn's disease, ulcers, tumors, parasites, colitis, gastritis, diverticulitis, and leaky bowel syndrome. One doctor refers to the herb as "the opener of the way" because of its remarkable ability to cleanse the entire intestinal tract. This herb, by cleansing the intestinal walls, also enables the body to better absorb nutrients, thus helping to correct nutritional imbalances created by digestive blockages and absorption problems.

Inflammation - Cat's Claw is a wonderful anti-inflammatory, which makes it useful for arthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, and gout. Arthritis, joint pain, and inflammation, as well as chronic fatigue, allergies, immune deficiency, and a host of other conditions, have been associated with defects in intestinal permeability (leaky bowel syndrome) and toxin overload, so it has a two-punch strategy in these illnesses by reducing inflammation while also treating fundamental intestinal disorders which contribute to other diseases and conditions.

Immunity - Cat's Claw has a powerful effect on the immune system and increases the body's white blood cells to digest harmful microorganisms and foreign material (phagocytosis).

Production of leukocytes and T4 lymphocytes is also increased with this herb, which helps block the advancement of viral diseases. Cat's Claw can also stop viral diseases in early stages and can fight secondary infections in AIDS patients.

Stroke and Heart Attacks - Cat's Claw can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks, as it inhibits platelet aggregation (blood clots) and thrombosis. It also lowers blood pressure, increases circulation, and reduces plaque on artery walls.

Other uses - Cat's Claw increases stamina and energy resulting from stress or overactivity. It aids with PMS symptoms, lupus, and prostate issues. It reduces/eliminates many kinds of tumors and offers protection against pain.

The modern medical system has already usurped traditional knowledge concerning Cat's Claw; US studies of the herb began in the 1970s following a journalist's "discovery" of the herb. Soon an extract was sold in Austria and Germany as herbal drugs, and four patents for extraction were obtained in the USA. Spain, France, Japan, Germany, Peru (government), and the USA all began to study this wonder herb, and commercial harvesting began.

Cat's Claw is an important traditional herb with many uses that the modern system has only recently "discovered". It is considered by both traditional healers and (now) the modern medical system to be one of the most important plants of the Rainforest. Unfortunately, as with all other usurped traditional knowledge, traditional healers and societies are only being exploited and are not gaining financially from the modern use of the plant, nor are they given acknowledgment for their knowledge of the plant that has been passed on traditionally for thousands of years.