Alternative Medicene – Cats Claw
Posted on | December 11, 2008 | No Comments
The economic climate has left many people feeling a little down in the dumps with money concerns. A more cost effective way to look after our health is now even more important or better still, prevention rather than cure. Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) has been shown to offer a huge array of therapeutic actions and is currently drawing a huge amount of attention in health-care. Because cat’s claw has anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral capabilities, it is currently being used through-out Europe for the treatment of cancer, aids, arthritis, and several other degenerative diseases.
Cat’s Claw is a tropical vine from the rain-forest and jungle areas in South America and Asia. Many cultures refer to the plant as the Sacred Herb of the Rain Forest and when you consider it’s many uses you can understand why the so deserving title.
I very much doubt that there is anyone out there who doesn’t wish to know how to reduce their risk of cancer or how to protect ourselves from toxins and pollutants, how to boost their immune system to fight off new viral strains and bacterial diseases, not to mention the ability to aid in the prevention of premature aging and degenerative diseases. Cat’s claw was traditionally used by Peruvian natives in a variety of applications. They apply it’s leaves for headaches, use teas for infections including influenza, and have placed plants in antipyretic baths for fevers. In Peru Cats Claw is now a protected resource.
Cat’s claw can be taken in many forms including a dry powdered form that is usually available in gelatin capsules; compressed tablets; a decoction or tea; or a liquid suspension. Some experts feel that cat’s claw extracts have not yet proven their potency and therefore they recommend taking reliable sources of the plant which use the inner bark of the vine. The alkaloid content of some plants can vary significantly because of many differing factors, so only reputable sources of cat’s claw are recommended to be purchased.
Many studies that have taken place in Europe have shown that cat’s claw has extremely low toxicity, even when it is taken in large doses. Anyone who has had a transplant or any pregnant or nursing women should not take cat’s claw. Taking cat’s claw can potentially cause diarrhea or adjust bowel consistency in some people.
So what does science say about this miraculous herb? Well to be honest there are no surprises when I tell you that they state there is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether cat’s claw works for any health problem, including arthritis, HIV, or cancer. Small studies in humans have shown a possible benefit of cat’s claw in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but no large trials have been done.
Well they are not ruling it out are they and how many times can you recall watching the news and these so called studies are telling us that something we enjoy or take one minute is bad for us and then the next it is good for you and has actually been found to cure some sickly disease. I for one will be adding Cats Claw to my morning routine of healthy supplements.
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