Cat's Claw- Can it Heal Arthritis, Cancer, and Other Diseases?

Cat's Claw is an old herb getting new press and attention. Many call it the Miracle Herb from the rain forests of Peru. There are answers to disease in alternative medicine and this is one of its bright new stars. Learn here how it may benefit your health and wellness.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa): Cat's Claw grows naturally in the rain forests of Peru. It is considered to be superior by many over Echinacea, Golden Seal, Astragalus, and Mushrooms. In Peru many tribes including the Aguaruna, Ashaninka, Cashibo, and Shipibo have used this herb to treat asthma, ulcers, cancer, and other diseases for over 2000 years. Many of these tribes use it successfully to treat different cancers including female urinary tract cancer. The Ashaninka has the longest history of Cat's Claw use. They are also the largest commercial source for Cat's Claw now. How can one herb be used to fight these different diseases?

Research studies have shown that Cat's Claw is an adaptogen. That means like ginseng and certain other herbs, that is helps the whole body to work more effectively. It supports the glands and organs so that they work more harmoniously. This would help any imbalance or disease. Cat's Claw is also a detoxifier which means it cleans out toxins from the body.

Along with Cat's Claw being an adaptogen, it also possesses other medicinal qualities. Research has shown it to be anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor. It also boosts the immune system. Among the researchers is the National Institute for Health who has put it on their list as an anti-cancer herb.

One very important researcher and expert on Cat's Claw is Klaus Keplinger in Austria. Keplinger was issued 4 patents between 1989 and 1990 for his discovery of 6 different alkaloids from the Cat's Claw root that boost the immune function. Another alkaloid, rynchophylline, has been shown in research to help prevent strokes, lower blood pressure, increase circulation, and inhibit plaque formation and clots. Keplinger combined these alkaloids from Cat's Claw into a medicine sold in those countries.

Dr. Fernando Cabieses, a well respected professor, researcher, neurologist, and neurosurgeon in Lima, Peru has extensively studied Cat's Claw. He has written a book, The Saga of Cat's Claw, giving research evidence on the great value of this herb in treating disease.

Historical Native Use Evidence: Native people do not have access to doctors and antibiotics. They have relied on herbs to heal their disease with success. If you have a tumor and it goes away with Cat's claw, you have to take notice. When this happens many times over years, you have to concede that it must work. Just because you don't know why, only means it has not been researched enough to find out. The use by Natives over the span of generations is a great research trial. It stands to reason, if an herb does not positively effect a health problem, you will discontinue using it. You keep taking something that works. Natives have used Cat's Claw with tumors and other diseases for years. Since these natives survived their tumors and illness, you would have to deduce the herbs worked. Herb use over generations is proof the herb works. These herbs are used by real people who are very ill with no access to standard medicine. Herbal medicine is used in the worst of circumstances where villagers live with poor living conditions, bad water, bugs, and poor housing. In these dire circumstances, herbs work on colds, flu, diarrhea, and diseases like tumors. Death is higher in bad living conditions, but their tribe survives. If herbal medicine was not successful, their tribe would no longer exist. That should tell you a lot.

Scientific Research: There are only a few research studies conducted on Cat's Claw. Most of these have resulted in positive research results. Are double blind research studies the real test? These research studies are conducted for a short period of time- days or weeks. They often contain flaws in design or results. Why is it difficult to conduct accurate research on herbs?

Herb Treatment Is Individual: The dosage of herb needed to cause an effect is individual. The time needed for healing is individual. The quality of the herb product by itself can either make or break a research project. Research projects have numerous weaknesses and pitfalls. Their results are often wrong. Science is only right until it is proven wrong. In ancient times, it was considered a fact that the world was flat. Women were told that estrogen supplementation was the perfect solution for hormonal health problems. It was once stated that antibiotic resistance was not an issue. Doctors were educated by greedy German pharmaceutical companies that heroine was not addicting. There have been many lies perpetuated by flawed and fraudulent research studies. The use of an herb over 2000 years seems much more significant. The people who have used these herbs know they work and keep using them because of that. Generations of people lived through cancer and disease before the advent of modern drugs including antibiotics. Some of these native people live to be over 100 years old. They are mentally and physically healthy. Think about it.

Cat's Claw Quality: There are several species in the Cat's Claw family that look similar. These different species vary in their alkaloids and medicinal qualities. Some products being sold do not contain the correct species of Una De Gato. You cannot tell that from looking at the powder. Only microscopic tests can know the truth. Make sure you buy from a quality company that tests its batches of herb material to make sure it is pure Una De Gato.

References:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/cats-claw-000229.htm

http://www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm

http://www.rain-tree.com/toa-poa-article.htm