Cat's Claw Bark (Uncaria tomentosa)
Cat's claw is a woody rainforest vine with small, yellowish-white flowers that grows in the canopy of the Amazonian rainforest in South and Central America. It is so-named because the plant, which can reach up to 100 feet in height, has curved thorns that resemble a cat's claws. This herb is also knows as Sparrowhawk Nail and Hawk’s Claw, again referencing the plant’s claw-like thorns.
In Peru, cat’s claw has been used for thousands of years by the Inca Asháninka tribe, from whom much of the world's supply is garnered today. In traditional systems of healing, the herb is used to counter a variety of inflammatory disorders. The Ashaninka priests of Peru utilize cat's claw ceremonially to align the physical body with the etheric body.
Today, several trademarked supplement products include extracts of cat’s claw.
The dried inner bark of Cat's claw is used to make liquid extracts, teas and tinctures.
Origin: Peru
Active Compounds: Tannins, catechins and procyanidins, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol, carboxyl alkyl esters, ajmalicine, akuammigine, chlorogenic acid, cinchonain, corynantheine, corynoxeine, daucosterol, epicatechin, harman, hirsuteine, hirsutine, isopteropodine, loganic acid, lyaloside, isomitraphylline, oleanolic acid, palmitoleic acid, procyanidins, quinovic acid glycosides, isorhynchophylline, rhynchophylline, rutin, sitosterols, speciophylline, strictosidines, uncarine A thru F, and vaccenic acid
Plant Part Used: Bark (inner)
Storage Tips: Store in a sealed container in a place free of direct light, heat and moisture.
Appearance and Aroma: Coarse and woody with a mild aroma.
Culinary Uses: Use to make teas, infusions and tinctures.
Flavor Profile: Has an astringent taste.
Safety: Do not use before or after an organ or bone marrow transplant or a skin graft. Not for use during pregnancy or lactation.
Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.
This information is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by Canada Health or the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.