• What are the properties of the cat’s claw?
• Cat's claw and health

Cat's claw is nothing more than a climbing plant found in the rainforests of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The name comes from its fluffy fur. The hooked thorns are deceptively similar to cat's claws. Both the bark and the cat's claw root have been used for centuries by the inhabitants of South America as a remedy for arthritis and to treat digestive disorders such as gastritis, colitis, or ulcers.

What properties does the cat’s claw have?

Early research on the "life-giving vine of Peru" showed that cat's claw has immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects. This would suggest that the claw heals arthritis and other ailments. While these claims have already found fertile ground and are widely disseminated, current, fairly extensive research on the matter is inconclusive. An interesting fact is that, according to the ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs, the dietary supplement ranked 25th in sales of herbal medicines in 2000.

Cat's claw and health

What conditions can cat's claw help with? Cat's claw contains a compound called pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid (POA). The compound is believed to have anti-inflammatory effects and has the potential to block inflammatory substances such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The scientific journal Inflammation Research published a study showing that taking the supplement for four weeks reduced activity-related pain in people with knee osteoarthritis.

The plant is still being researched because its great health-promoting potential has been recognized. Cat's claw is believed to be effective in treating Lyme disease.

Numerous active ingredients contained in cat's claw affect the body's functions. Some of the active ingredients include tetra- and pentacyclic oxyindole alkaloids, triterpene saponins, phenolic acids, flavonoids (including quercetin), and tannins. These compounds have a positive effect on cleansing the digestive tract. For this reason, it can support us in the fight against inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, diverticula, hemorrhoids, and gastric and duodenal ulcers.

In addition, cat's claw can :

• immunostimulating
• helpful in infections
• adaptogen
• positive for the digestive system
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-asthmatic
• antioxidant

Cat's claw is a plant with great potential that contains many health-promoting compounds. When taking cat's claw, remember that it is not a medicine, but rather a dietary supplement that can help our bodies with many ailments.