Cats Claw and Its Medicinal Uses

In the middle of the deep Amazon rainforest, amidst its thick and diverse vegetation, you will find a plant like no other – cat’s claw.  Cat’s claw’s common name is derived from its protruding thorns that grow along its stem resembling the claws of a cat.  Also known as Uncaria tomentosa, this plant catches attention with its small yellow to white colored flowers.  The plant’s popularity, however, is not due to its ornamental uses but to its medicinal uses such as one of the many arthritis herbs.

Anti-inflammatory Actions

Body inflammation, which is plaguing many aging adults can be given relief with the aid of cat’s claw.  Acute and chronic inflammation is bothersome especially when it limits the mobility of the affected individual.  Added to this, the episodes of pain.

The agony can be put to a halt when the disease process is placed under examination.  An inflammatory messenger called tumor necrosis factor-alpha is responsible for the occurrence of both acute and chronic inflammation.  Cat’s claw extracts can interfere with the inflammation process by inhibiting the said inflammatory messenger; thus, disrupting the process.  Once the pain goes away, the body’s joints will be restored back to the usual.

Herb against Lyme disease

Lyme disease can be misdiagnosed as a simple case of flu.  The reason behind the medical blunder is the similarity in symptoms of the two diseases in its early stages.  A patient of both Lyme disease and flu will have fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and stiff neck.  However, a large target-shaped rash that occurs with Lyme disease can provide the difference.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted through insect bites of deer ticks.  The infection can be eliminated simply through boosting of the immune system.  This is possible with the use of cat’s claw.  Cat’s claw contains tetracyclic oxindole alkaloid (TOA) that enhances the body’s defenses against bacteria and other possible health threat.