Cats Claw herb

Cats claw is a large woody vine with small thorns at the
base of the leaves. These thorns resemble the claws of a
cat – a fact that has given rise to its name. The thorns
help the vine to attach itself to neighboring trees and
climb up to heights of 100 feet. Cats claw is grown mainly
in the Amazon rain forests, tropical and jungle areas of
South and Central America, and in parts of Asia. Countries
where the Cats claw vine is found include Peru, Colombia,
Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica,
Guatemala, and Panama. Peru has recognized cats claw as a
valuable medicinal resource and given it protected status.

Cats claw has a long history of use that extends to over
2000 years in central Peru and other South American
countries. Recent research has confirmed many traditional
beliefs and uses. Traditionally Cats claw herb has been in
use to treat a variety of diseases including asthma,
arthritis, rheumatism, bone pain, urinary tract
inflammation, gastric ulcers, hemorrhages, irregular
menstrual cycles, cirrhosis, abscesses, diabetes, tumors
and cancer. Cats claw herb has also been used to heal deep
wounds, and to help in recovering from childbirth. Some
tribes have also been known to use the Cats claw herb as a
contraceptive, though this seems to require a very large
dosage.

The use of Cats claw since the 1990s as an adjunctive
treatment for cancer and AIDS shows its acceptance by
modern systems of medicine as a serious contender in
strengthening the immune system. The extract from the bark
of Cats claw has been used along with AZT in clinical
studies for the treatment of AIDS. Apart from cancer and
AIDS, the herb's immune stimulating effects have made it
useful in preventing strokes and heart attacks, reducing
blood clots, and for treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Cats claw contains many groups of plant chemicals that
account for its curative properties. These include oxidole
alkaloids that are responsible for its antileukemic and
immune stimulant properties. Other groups of chemicals and
compounds are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and
anti-viral properties. A third group of compounds known as
carboxyl alkyl esters contribute to its anti-cancerous and
cell-repairing properties.

Cats claw has understandably evoked keen interest among
medical researchers in the western world. The interest in
Cats claw herb, which contains several groups of chemicals
and compounds that bestow it with many curative properties,
was natural, and has resulted in the preparation and
marketing of several Cats claw extracts in many European
countries. In the US, patent applications are pending for
procedures that concern extracting immunity enhancing drugs
from cats claw. With more researchers joining in from
Spain, France, Japan, Germany, and Peru, the curative
properties of this herb appear to have gained overwhelming
acceptance by modern medical practitioners.

The inner bark and roots of Cats claw are used for the
preparation of medicines. Cats claw is available to the
consumer in the form of capsules and tincture. The tincture
is prepared from pure Cats claw extracted in distilled
water and 40% alcohol, and can be taken under the tongue or
in water or juice. The recommended dosage is 60 ml twice a
day, or as required.

----------------------------------------------------
Patricia McDougall B.Sc. is a Chartered Herbalist and
graduate of the Dominion Herbal College, British Columbia,
Canada. Originally from Peru, Patricia is the Director of
Research and Development for Amazon Botanicals LLC of
Newark Delaware.
http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Cats_claw_herb_s/86.htm