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Page 27
| Indications: Since the early 1990's, cat's claw has been in the news as a veritable panacea for nearly every degenerative disease. For hundreds of years, Peruvian Indian tribes have harvested the root and inner bark of this climbing woody vine for an impressive list of ailments. Growing over 100 feet in length and reaching a circumference of nearly 12 inches, cat's claw has sharp, curved thorns, much like the claws of a cat or jaguar. Since its arrival in the United States several years ago, cat's claw has been used for arthritis, tumors, digestive disorders, lupus, fibromyalgia, diabetes, chronic fatigue, chemical and environmental allergies, respiratory infections, candidiasis, Crohn's disease, hemorrhoids and to counter the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. |
| Austrian physician Klaus Keplinger has reported his observations showing cat's claw's effectiveness in benefiting those with shingles, multiple sclerosis and even AIDS. Italian studies show that certain compounds in cat's claw called quinovic acid glycosides exhibit antiviral properties, and other compounds in the plant possess anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, adaptogenic, antiulcer and antitumor properties and enhance T-cell activity. |
| Because of the flurry of interest in cat's claw in the U.S. and limited supplies of the herb, the quality of cat's claw products can vary considerably. Only the inner bark and root have medicinal value, but some Peruvian sources of cat's claw have been found to contain outer bark, twigs, stems and inner wood of the vine. Another problem is that more than 20 different indigenous Peruvian herbs are commonly referred to as ''uña de gato,'' and some of these are toxic. Only U. tomentosa and U. guianensis have been shown to have medicinal value. |
| Scientist Keplinger believes that preparations made by traditional methods that involve cooking the herb are best. Make a decoction by cooking approximately 1 cup of shredded bark in 1 quart of water. Simmer slowly for 45 |
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