Do you know the benefits of Cat's Claw?

The cat's claw is a tropical plant very well known and used in folk medicine and among health scientists. For centuries it has been used to produce teas and, more recently, capsules to treat various diseases.

The consumption of the plant brings several benefits to the body, such as producing immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that increase its resistance against invading organisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi) and brings relief to the symptoms of various diseases.

The cat's claw also has anticancer action, improves gastritis, aids in the treatment of Alzheimer's and lowers blood pressure. Its consumption has proven to be a great ally for health and its healing potential is still being studied and explored by researchers.

Understanding more about the Cat's Claw

Among the uses indicated by popular medicine and traditional medicine, there are several benefits that the ingestion of cat's claw, in the form of tea or pill, can bring to our health. Continue reading the text below to learn more about these benefits!

Origin and history of the Cat's Claw seed

The plant was originally identified in the rainforests of the Amazon and Central America. It has been cultivated for centuries by South Americans to make tea by using parts of the plant such as the bark and roots.

The people of this region consume this tea as a remedy to cure a variety of ailments, among them fever and stomach ulcers. However, science has not yet been able to prove the effectiveness of the use of the vine for most of these ailments.

Some properties in it, however, have drawn the attention of researchers who are still exploring its potentialities to extract its benefits from it.

What is Cat's Claw used for?

Cat's claw has analgesic, depurative, diuretic, immunostimulant and antimicrobial effects. Ingestion of the plant in the proper form and quantity can bring several positive effects on health.

Among the positive aspects we can mention the increase of the defenses of the organism, the relief of the symptoms of the osteoarthritis, the anticancer action, improvement of the gastritis, and it is still beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer, besides decreasing the blood pressure.

Popularly it is also used to treat some diseases, but there is not enough scientific evidence to support this use. The diseases treated by folk medicine are skin problems, gonorrhea, tonsillitis, asthma and rhinitis.

Cat's Claw Characteristics

Cat's Claw is the name given to two types of plants that go by the scientific names Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis. These are climbing shrubs that grow in the form of vines.

These plants have light green leaves accompanied by spines that have a slight curvature, in addition to presenting a reddish brown stem. It also has the ability to store water inside the stem, which allows the plant to resist longer the shortage of water.

Cat's claw is traditionally consumed from tea made from the bark, the root or the leaf. After advances in scientific research based on the healing properties of the plant, it can also be consumed in pill form and is found in health food stores.

Cat's Claw Properties

The plant has several properties that draw the attention of lay people to its use and also of the scientific community. The plant has present in its composition substances that are antioxidant, immunostimulant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and depurator - that is, it cleans the blood and rid it of harmful substances to the body.

Due to the properties mentioned above, it is used in folk medicine and also by formal medicine to treat diseases such as infections, inflammations, diseases related to joints, respiratory tract, among others.

It is also used to strengthen the body's immune system, enabling it to better defend itself from invading organisms that bring with them various diseases and hinder the proper functioning of the body.

Benefits of Cat's Claw

The benefits of the consumption of the tea or the pill produced from the substances present in the composition of the cat's claw plant are varied, ranging from the treatment of diseases caused by bacteria and fungi to the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer. Read the text below to find out more about the benefits of this fascinating plant!

It has antioxidant action

Cat's claw contains in its composition substances that are antioxidants, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. These substances help keep our cells healthy, preventing an oxidative stress situation from occurring, which allows our body to slow down the aging process.

This antioxidant action strengthens the body's immune system and helps prevent several chronic diseases and other ailments, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and some types of cancer.

The antioxidant action resulting from the consumption of the plant is also very useful to prevent eye problems that affect elderly people or those who are constantly exposed to the sun.

Helps the immune system

The immune system is responsible for protecting our body against organisms that can cause negative impacts on it. Strengthening immunity is important to maintain good health and cat's claw has properties that can help.

The use of the plant improves the immune system because it stimulates the production of white blood cells, increasing the body's ability to defend itself against invading microorganisms that bring disease.

The strengthening of the immune system may be associated with the presence of proanthocyanidins and other substances present in the composition of cat's claw that form the defenses against viruses, fungi, protozoa and bacteria.

Fighting cancer

Studies prove that substances present in cat's claw can eliminate or decrease the presence of cancer cells. It is not known yet which substance exactly has these properties, but it is proven that its use is beneficial for the treatment of colon, gallbladder, thyroid and breast cancer.

In relation to breast cancer, the medical literature shows that the use of the plant reduces the side effects of chemotherapy, restoring healthy cells affected by the process.

The use in this case, however, can only be made under medical advice. It should be done after the analysis of each particular case.

Helps in the treatment of Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's causes the progressive deterioration of brain functions, which causes memory problems, mental disorganization, impairs the individual's ability to communicate and incapacitates the patient to take care of himself/herself.

Cat's claw is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's because several substances, such as proanthocyanidin B2, a polyphenol, have been identified in cat's claw which can improve short-term memory.

In addition, these substances are also associated with reducing the number of plaques that are formed in the brain due to Alzheimer's and also promotes a reduction in brain inflammation also caused by the disease.

Controls blood pressure

Present in cat's claw, rincofilin, an alkaloid, has been shown to be effective in inhibiting platelet aggregation and thrombosis. These benefits gained from consuming the plant suggest that it may also be effective in preventing illnesses such as stroke and heart attack.

These effects are expected because rincofilinin acts in lowering blood pressure, which has the consequence of increasing blood circulation and decreasing the chances of vein clogging.

It also prevents plaques from sticking to artery walls, preventing clots from forming in strategic parts of the body like the heart, blood vessels and brain, keeping you healthier.

Acts against joint problems

Joint problems usually generate pain due to inflammation of the joints. When inflamed, the joints can swell and warm, and leave the skin red. This whole picture generates discomfort in the patient and the intake of tea or the pill of the cat's claw can bring relief for the pain.

Some research shows that the consumption of the plant significantly reduces the amount of inflamed joints, decreasing pain, and without causing significant side effects. In addition, it decreases the adverse effects of some types of anti-inflammatory drugs in the stomach and intestines.

The association of the use of the plant with the possibility of maintaining or increasing the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, under medical guidance, can generate a picture of decreased pain and increased well-being and comfort of the sick person.

Helps in the treatment of gastritis

The cat's claw contains in its composition antioxidants and also has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an excellent ally for the treatment of acute or chronic gastritis, especially those caused by abusive or excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

In folk medicine it is believed that tea from the plant is also effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and it is also believed that it can decrease the presence of ulcers.

Despite being commonly used to treat the diseases mentioned above, scientific studies still need to be done to prove these possible benefits brought by the consumption of the plant.

May help with respiratory problems

People of all ages are susceptible to suffering from respiratory problems, such as asthma, sinusitis, among others. These problems tend to worsen in the autumn-winter period due to cold and dry weather.

Constant and long-term consumption of cat's claw tea can prevent these ailments by combating asthma in particular. The lung of a person with asthma is more sensitive and ignites easily, as it reacts immediately to any sign of irritation.

Cat's claw tea decreases the sensitivity of the lung, minimizing the chances of it becoming irritated and, consequently, inflamed when it comes into contact with irritating agents, such as dust mites and dust.

Helps with skin problems

Skin diseases usually cause itching, dryness, redness and flaking lesions on the body that, in addition to bother and cause discomfort, also stir a lot with the self-esteem of the sick person.

By having the ability to strengthen the immune system, cat's claw tea helps our body to form defenses or maintain the balance of microorganisms, mainly bacteria and fungi, that inhabit our skin.

By helping to maintain the balance or eliminate these microorganisms, cat's claw prevents the onset of skin diseases and protects the skin barrier, which keeps our body more beautiful and healthy.

May act in the treatment of gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a disease transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse. It is caused by the introduction of a bacterium into the body that infects various regions of the body, such as the urethra, rectum, uterus, throat, and the front of the eye.

Similar to what happens with the skin problem, the cat's claw can be a good ally to fight the disease because it increases the immunity of our body by producing a greater amount of white blood cells that defend the body against invaders, such as the bacteria that causes gonorrhea.

How to take Cat's Claw

The cat's claw can be consumed from tea made from the bark or the root and can also be consumed through the use of capsules, easily found in natural products stores. Below you discover how to make the tea and a little more about the use of the plant in capsule format!

Cat's Claw bark tea

It is quite simple and quick to make cat's claw tea from its bark. It is ready in about 35 minutes and the user can already ingest it and benefit from its healing properties. Cat's claw tea should be ingested every 8 hours, between meals, to achieve good health results.

Ingredients

The ingredients required for making tea from cat's claw bark are:

- 20 grams of cat's claw bark;

- 1 liter of water.

How to do

The 20 grams of bark of the plant should be diluted in 1 liter of water. These ingredients will be boiled for 15 minutes. After boiling, the tea should be removed from the heat and put to rest in the container for at least 10 minutes. Then, it should be strained and, after these procedures, it will be ready for consumption.

Cat's claw root tea

Like the cat's claw tea made from the bark, the tea made from the root of the plant is also very easy and practical to make. It is also ready in about 35 minutes and can be consumed immediately. It should also be ingested at intervals of 8 to 8 hours, between meals, in order to extract the maximum benefits that it brings to our body.

Ingredients

The ingredients required for making tea from cat's claw bark are:

- 20 grams of cat's claw bark;

- 1 liter of water.

Directions

The method for preparing the root tea is the same as for the bark. 20 grams of the plant root should be diluted in 1 liter of water. These ingredients will be boiled for 15 minutes. After boiling, the tea should be removed from the heat and put to rest in the container for at least 10 minutes.

Finishing the above procedures, the tea should be strained and will be ready for consumption.

Cat's Claw Capsules

Cat's claw capsules are easily found in natural products stores. The recommended doses for consumption in capsule form vary from 250 to 1000 mg, which can be ingested 2 to 3 times a day, depending on the medical indication.

In case of using the plant in capsule form, it is essential to be accompanied by a doctor or a phytotherapist to guide the use of the correct way. Each disease and condition requires different dosage and time of use and the monitoring will avoid the appearance of possible side effects.

Further information about the Cat's Claw

It is necessary to pay attention to the possible side effects of the use of cat's claw, the frequency of use of cat's claw, so that it remains at a healthy level, as well as it is important to be aware of the cases in which its consumption is contraindicated. Below you will find additional information about the plant.Continue reading!

How often can Cat's Claw be taken?

Cat's claw, even if consumed in the form of tea, made directly from the roots and bark of the plant, cannot be consumed daily or indiscriminately. Excessive consumption can have the opposite effect to that expected and actually bring problems to health due to the cause of side effects.

Health professionals recommend that excess be avoided and that consumption be restricted to that recommended by doctors or while the symptom of the illness for which it is being used as treatment lasts. Except under the conditions provided above, daily consumption should be avoided.

Possible side effects of Cat's Claw

Despite the numerous benefits that we can obtain with the consumption of the tea or pill made from the cat's claw plant, overuse can lead the body to react in a negative way, presenting side effects.

Possible side effects listed in the medical literature include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and decreased levels of progesterone and estrogen. Overuse can also lead to decreased heart rate and neuropathy.

In rarer cases, among the side effects we can also list intoxication in the liver and acute renal failure. Therefore, it is necessary to take care and make a conscious use of the plant.

Contraindications of Cat's Claw

Other precautions need to be taken by those who make use of the tea or pill made from cat's claw. It should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, nor by children. People who are allergic to this plant should also not ingest products made from it.

People with autoimmune diseases and who suffer with kidney problems also cannot make use of the plant, as well as those who have blood clotting problems and who are undergoing treatment for leukemia.

People who are taking anticoagulant medications or who are going to have any type of surgery should also be kept away from the tea and pill produced from cat's claw.

Cat's Claw has several benefits!

The benefits of the consumption of cat's claw are numerous, which makes it popular both in informal medicine and among scientists medical researchers. Consumed with care and without excess, it will be a great ally for health.

Among the substances that are part of its composition, there are those that are antioxidants, which help to delay aging; and those that strengthen the immune system, which makes the body more prepared to fight external organisms that may cause diseases.

Both the tea and the pill are widely used as treatment for various diseases. Cat's claw is also used in treatments against various types of cancer, Alzheimer's, acts against joint problems and helps in the process of controlling blood pressure.