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.
It has been drawing increasingly more interest among the proponents of natural health care and Cats Claw has been the subject of medical research since the 1970′s. These studies suggest that Cats Claw may help in the treatment of several diseases like arthritis, bursitis, allergies, diabetes, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, herpes, organic depression, menstrual problems and also beneficial for conditions of the stomach and intestines.
The immune enhancement usually results from the body’s increasing its production of interferon to fight a viral infection, making antibodies to immobilize a hostile antigen, or producing a greater number of lymphocytes and other white blood cells that police the highways of the body and fight invading microorganisms.
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.
Cat’s claw, which is also known as Una de gato, or the life-giving vine of Peru, is indigenous to the rainforest areas of South America. Commercial supplies originate from the Amazonian rain forests of Peru and Brazil.
When looking at essential herbs to take for better overall health don’t overlook Cats Claw, as we have seen its benefits are immense.And, what is most important: it is natural medicine.
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