Cat’s Claw Extract Supplement: Efficient Natural Herbal Products
Cats Claw may not be as well known as some other herbs but the protection it can give to the body and its overall health benefits have seen it rise dramatically in popularity. Let's take a closer look at Cats Claw and its immense health benefits.
Cat's claw has been used in folk medicine as a tonic and for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, peptic ulcers, gastritis, colitis and other intestinal ailments, tumors, dysentery, and as a contraceptive. Today some have promoted it for the treatment of Crohn's disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Cat's claw has been used, in combination with the drug AZT, for individuals who are HIV positive. Research continues to explore the usefulness of cat's claw for viral infections such as HIV and herpes.
The active constituents are quite variable and depend upon the time of the year when the plant is harvested. While the stem bark has some activity, the root is three to four times more active than the stem bark. Some of the known active compounds in cat's claw include alkaloids, triterpenes, phytosterols, and proanthocyanidins.
Cat's claw's immune stimulating effect is a result of its alkaloid components. The alkaloids also possess some ability to inhibit blood clots and relax the blood vessel walls. The phytosterols are reported to have anti-inflammatory activity through their effect in stimulating interleukin production. An aqueous extract of cat's claw has shown some ability to inhibit the growth of tumor cells. The proanthocyanidins and several alkaloids appear to possess the tumor-inhibiting properties.
More research is needed to validate the safety of cat's claw. However, we do know that large quantities of cat's claw can cause low blood pressure in some people. Hence, it should be used with caution if a person is already using medications for high blood pressure, as cat's claw may potentiate the effect of the medication. Cat's claw is contraindicated in pregnancy and in nursing mothers. It may also be unsafe for young children.
A tea can be made by boiling the root bark of cat's claw in water for five to 10 minutes and then straining the water. Tablets and capsules containing cat's claw are available in many strengths, ranging from 250 milligrams up to one gram. A typical dose would be 300-milligram capsules taken three times a day. Extracts of cat's claw are often standardized to 4 percent alkaloid content for effective results.
Cat's claw appears to possess immune-enhancing properties without any unwanted side effects. Further research is needed to verify other potentially therapeutic properties of this herb from South America.