Cat’s claw: what is it for and how to use it

La uña de gato, which includes two species whose scientific names are Uncaria stormy and Uncaria guianensisis a medicinal plant that has diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant and purifying properties, and can be used to help in the treatment of infections, inflammations and improve the activity of the immune system.

This plant grows in the form of an entanglement forming climbing shrubs and has light green leaves with slightly curved spines and a reddish brown stalk and cream; in addition, you can store water inside to satisfy your own needs.

The cat’s uña can be consumed in the form of té de la corteza, the root or the today, or in the form of a tablet, and can be found in stores of natural products.

La uña de gato has analgesic, antioxidant, purifying, diuretic, immunostimulant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, so it can provide several benefits to the body:

1. Increase the body’s defenses

The cat’s claw helps to increase the body’s defenses, it can promote the production of white blood cells and the activation of the cells of the immune system, helping the body to fight foreign agents.

It is possible that this benefit is due to the fact that the cat’s claw contains proanthocyanidins and other compounds that help fight viruses, fungi, protozoa and bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomona aeruginosa.

2. Relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis

Some scientific studies indicate that cat’s claw has different alkaloid components, which favor the inhibition of pro-inflammatory molecules in the organism, in addition to having analgesic properties, so it could be an excellent option for people who suffer from bursitis or problems in joints such as arthritis, arthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Antioxidant action

Cat’s claw has antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols, which prevent the damage caused by free radicals to the cells, protecting against oxidative stress, by delaying premature aging and preventing the emergence of chronic diseases.

4. Anticancer action

Some studies indicate that the cat’s claw extract could reduce the proliferation or induce the death of a variety of cancer cells, including colon, gallbladder, thyroid and breast cancer. However, the exact mechanism by which this occurs is not known, and more scientific studies are needed in this regard.

5. Supporting the treatment of breast cancer

Chemotherapy produces toxic effects such as leukopenia and neutropenia. Some scientific studies indicate that the use of cat’s claw could reduce the adverse effects of this therapy and restore the cellular damage that occurs in people with breast cancer. However, it is important that it is used under the guidance of a doctor, its use will depend on each particular case.

6. Improve gastritis

Because it has anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in antioxidants, it could improve acute or chronic gastritis, especially when it is caused by the use of high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

It is also believed that other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and the presence of ulcers could improve, however, scientific studies are needed to understand these benefits.

7. It could improve Alzheimer’s

Cat’s claw is considered a potential plant for the therapy of Alzheimer’s disease. This is due to the fact that, in a study with rats, several components were identified, such as proanthocyanidin B2, which is a polyphenol that was associated with an improvement in short-term memory, in the reduction of cerebral inflammation and with the reduction of plaques that form in the brain with this disease.

8. Decrease blood pressure

Rhynchophylla, a cat’s claw alkaloid, has demonstrated its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis, which suggests that it may be useful to prevent stroke and reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack by reducing blood pressure, increase the circulation and inhibit the formation of plaques in the walls of the arteries, as well as the formation of blood clots in the brain, the heart and the arteries.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the cat’s claw is also popularly used to treat other problems, which at times have no scientific basis, such as:

• Rhinitis;
• Asthma;
• tonsillitis;
• Skin changes;
• gonorrhea.

It is important that the use of this plant is carried out under the guidance of a doctor or herbalist.

The corteza, the root and the leaves of the cat’s claw can be used to prepare tés, tinctures or capsules.

1. Té de uña de gato

To prepare the cat’s claw tea, you need 25 g of crust and cat’s claw roots per 1 liter of water. The ingredients must be kept for 15 minutes, removed from the fire and left in rest for 10 minutes in a covered container; play, necklace and drink. It is recommended to take cat’s claw tea every 8 hours between meals.

2. Capsules or tablets

The recommended dose of cat’s uña in capsules or tablets can vary between 250 to 1000 mg, 2 to 3 times a day, depending on the sea and the reason for which it is going to be used. For this reason, it is important to consult a herbalist or doctor and read the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

The use of uña de gato is considered safe. However, when used in large areas, it can cause some side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, decreased levels of progesterone and estrogen, decreased heart rate, neuropathy, increased risk of bleeding, when administered with medication. such as warfarin, aspirin or heparin for example, and in more rare cases, hepatotoxicity and acute renal failure.

The use of cat’s claw is contraindicated in women who are embarrassed or who are breastfeeding, children and people with allergy to the plant. Asimism, should be avoided by people with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis, renal diseases, leukemia, who have clotting problems and people who are going to undergo surgery.

Asimism, people who are taking medication for blood pressure, to treat cancer, to lower cholesterol and to clot blood should consult their doctor before ingesting cat claw, as it can cause some drug interaction.