Cat's claw's therapeutic uses
Cat's claw is a natural herb primarily sourced from Peru, known for its potential therapeutic uses. Traditionally, it has been utilized to address a variety of health conditions, including arthritis, infections, and even cancer. The herb consists of two main species: Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis, each believed to have different medicinal properties.
Current research suggests cat's claw may offer benefits for managing viral diseases such as herpes and shingles, as well as conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, though evidence remains limited and preliminary. While some studies indicate that cat's claw could enhance immune function and have anti-inflammatory effects, further investigation is necessary to confirm these potential applications.
In terms of safety, cat's claw is generally well-tolerated, with mild side effects such as digestive upset reported. However, there are concerns regarding its use in specific populations, including pregnant or nursing women and individuals with certain health conditions. Overall, while cat's claw shows promise as a natural remedy, its efficacy and safety still require more comprehensive research.
Cat's claw's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, feline leukemia virus, genital and oral herpes, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, shingles
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Allergies, ulcers, immune system support, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cancer treatment, various health conditions
Overview
Cat’s claw is an herb popular among the Indigenous peoples of Peru. It is used to treat cancer, diabetes, ulcers, arthritis, and infections, as well as to assist in childbirth recovery. It is also used as a contraceptive. Two primary species of cat’s claw are used medicinally: Uncaria tomentosa and U. guianensis.
Therapeutic Dosages
Numerous widely varying forms of cat’s claw are available commercially. The optimum dosage of each type is not known. In addition, the precise differences in action between the two species of cat’s claw, U. tomentosa and U. guianensis, as well as the pentacyclic and tetracyclic forms of U. tomentosa are not known.
Therapeutic Uses
Cat’s claw is most often marketed as a treatment for viral diseases, such as herpes, shingles, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and feline leukemia virus. However, the evidence for these uses is extremely preliminary.
One of the most meaningful studies performed on cat’s claw suggests that the U. guianensis species might be helpful for an entirely different condition: osteoarthritis. In addition, one double-blind trial indicates that a certain type of U. tomentosa may be modestly helpful for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Cat’s claw has also been proposed as a treatment for allergies and stomach ulcers, but there is no meaningful evidence yet that it is effective for these conditions. Other suggestions for the therapeutic use of cat’s claw include increasing white blood cell count and boosting the immune system. Cat's claw may have anti-cancer effects and help anxiety and asthma. However, more research is needed to support these supposed benefits. Traditionally, cat’s claw has been used to treat myriad conditions, including high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, digestive issues, and wound healing.
Scientific Evidence
Osteoarthritis. A four-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the potential benefits of cat’s claw (U. guianensis species) for the treatment of osteoarthritis. A total of forty-five individuals with osteoarthritis were enrolled. Of these, thirty were treated with cat’s claw extract, and fifteen were given placebo. Individuals in the treatment group showed reduced pain with activity compared with those in the placebo group. However, no comparative improvements were seen in knee pain at rest or at night, nor in knee circumference.
This pilot trial suggests that the U. guianensis species of cat’s claw may be a useful treatment for osteoarthritis. Another study compared the effectiveness of a proprietary combination of cat’s claw with glucosamine sulfate, a widely used dietary supplement for osteoarthritis. Researchers reported the results as positive, but because there was no placebo group, the overall effectiveness of this cat’s claw combination product cannot be determined. More research will be necessary to verify this potential use of the herb.
Rheumatoid arthritis. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of forty individuals undergoing conventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, use of an extract made from U. tomentosa modestly improved symptoms in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis compared with a placebo. The researchers conducting this trial made use of information indicating that there are two different subtypes of U. tomentosa, identifiable based on the chemicals found in them. For this trial, they used the form containing pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids, as opposed to tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids.
Two clinical studies on humans also showed promise for cat claw's effectiveness in boosting immunity, which is believed to be tied to cat claw's anti-inflammatory properties. However, more study is needed. An additional study in 2019 looked into the effectiveness of supplementation with cat's claw on joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer patients. This study found no benefits. Still, limited scientific evidence is emerging on the health benefits of cat's claw, although more formal studies are needed.
Safety Issues
In general, use of cat’s claw has not been associated with adverse effects more serious than occasional digestive upset or allergic reactions. However, full safety studies have not been completed, and there has been one report of kidney failure apparently triggered by cat’s claw.
Safety in young children, in pregnant or nursing women, and in those with severe liver or kidney disease has not yet been established. Some evidence suggests that cat’s claw might interact with various medications by affecting their metabolism in the liver, but the extent of this effect has not been fully determined. Cat’s claw should only be taken for a brief period of time. Additionally, those with autoimmune disorders are advised to avoid taking cat’s claw. Cat’s claw may also lower blood pressure and slow blood clotting.
Bibliography
Brown, Mary Jane, and Sarah Garone. "Cat's Claw: Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage." Healthline, 13 July 2023, www.healthline.com/nutrition/cats-claw#benefits. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
Budzinski, J. W., et al. "An In Vitro Evaluation of Human Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inhibition by Selected Commercial Herbal Extracts and Tinctures." Phytomedicine, vol. 7, 2000, pp. 273-282.
"Cat's Claw - LiverTox." NCBI, 18 Feb. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548323. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
"Cat's Claw." National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, May 2020, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cats-claw. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
Mehta, K., et al. "Comparison of Glucosamine Sulfate and a Polyherbal Supplement for the Relief of Osteoarthritis of the Knee." BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 7, 31 Oct. 2007, p. 34.
Mur, E., et al. "Randomized Double Blind Trial of an Extract from the Pentacyclic Alkaloid-Chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis." Journal of Rheumatology, vol. 29, 2002, pp. 678-681.
Piscoya, J., et al. "Efficacy and Safety of Freeze-Dried Cat’s Claw in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Mechanisms of Action of the Species Uncaria guianensis." Inflammatory Research, vol. 50, 2001, pp. 442-448.