Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Uncaria
Species: tomentosa
Synonyms: Uncaria surinamensis, Nauclea aculeata, N. tomentosa, Ourouparia tomentosa
Common Names: Cat's claw, uña de gato, paraguayo, garabato, garbato casha, samento, toroñ, tambor huasca, uña huasca, uña de gavilan, hawk's claw, saventaro
Parts Used: Vine bark, root
Main Actions (in order):
immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic (cellular protector), anticancerous, antiulcerous
Main Uses:
- as an immune stimulant and an adjunctive therapy for cancer (to reduce side effects of chemotherapy and protect cells)
- as a bowel cleanser and anti-inflammatory for Crohn's, colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other bowel problems
- as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis (all kinds) and muscle pains/strains/injuries
- as a general daily tonic (to tone, balance, and strengthen all body functions)
- for stomach ulcers and ulcerative colitis and as an ulcer preventative/ stomach and bowel protector)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:
analgesic (pain-reliever), anticoagulant (blood thinner), antidysenteric, blood cleanser, detoxifier, diuretic, gastrotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the gastric system), hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions), wound healer
Cautions: Do not use before or after an organ or bone marrow transplant since it boosts immune function. May also have a mild blood thinning effect. |
