Uncaria tomentosa (Cat’s Claw)
Cat’s claw is an immune stimulant which also has anti-inflammatory and pain reduction effects. It will help raise and maintain CD57 levels and aid in the prevention of opportunistic infections. This is an ideal herb especially for chronic Lyme patients. Herx reactions are common, start low, go slow!
Cat’s claw is an immune stimulant which also has anti-inflammatory and pain reduction effects. It will help raise and maintain CD57 levels and aid in the prevention of opportunistic infections. This is an ideal herb especially for chronic Lyme patients. Herx reactions are common, start low, go slow!
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PRODUCT DETAILS
INGREDIENTS
CLINICAL USES
| Antimicrobial | Effective against Borrelia (Lyme) and co-infections such as Babesia, Bartonella, and Mycoplasma, with both antibacterial and antiviral properties. |
| Herxheimer Reaction Support | Helps manage Herxheimer reactions by reducing inflammation, easing pain, and alleviating fatigue, often experienced during antimicrobial treatments. |
| Immune System Support | Enhances immune function, promoting a balanced immune response, which is crucial for Lyme patients dealing with immune dysregulation. |
| Anti-Inflammatory | Reduces systemic inflammation, providing relief for joint pain, muscle stiffness, and neurological symptoms commonly seen in Lyme disease. |
| Antioxidant | Offers antioxidant protection, helping to mitigate oxidative stress and prevent cellular damage, especially during chronic infection. |
| Digestive Support | Supports gut health by improving digestion and alleviating symptoms like bloating, indigestion, and constipation, often seen in Lyme disease patients. |
| Anti-Parasitic | Useful for managing parasitic infections that may co-occur with Lyme disease, such as Babesia and Toxoplasma. |
| Neuroprotective | Supports neurological health, potentially improving symptoms of brain fog, cognitive dysfunction, and nerve pain in chronic Lyme disease. |
| Joint & Muscle Support | Eases joint and muscle pain by reducing inflammation and improving mobility, beneficial for patients with Lyme arthritis. |
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
CAUTIONS & WARNINGS
Synergistic Products:
Vegan
Gluten Free
All Natural
Cruelty Free
Sustainable
Non GMO29 reviews for Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw)
Additional Information About Uncaria tomentosa (Cat’s Claw)
Uncaria tomentosa, also known as uña de gato or Samento, hails from the Uncaria varieties native to China, Peru, and Africa. Steeped in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over a millennium, its surge in popularity in the West came notably through Nutramedix's "Samento" product.
Traditional Use
The inner bark of Uncaria tomentosa, a woody vine with hooked claw-shaped horns, has been integral to South American native remedies for asthma, urinary tract inflammation, arthritis, rheumatism, bone pains, fevers, and Diabetes.
Growing Conditions
Thriving in the rainforests of Central and South America, Uncaria tomentosa's woody vines, reaching up to 100 feet, are characterized by yellow trumpet flowers. Both root and vine bark are utilized in herbal applications within the Rubiaceae family.
Terminology
Crucially, distinguish Uncaria tomentosa (common Cat’s Claw) from Uncaria rhynchophylla (Chinese Cat’s Claw or Gou Teng), historically employed for different manifestations of Borrelia. The former is associated with arthritic-type Borrelia, while the latter is linked to neuroborreliosis, neurological disorders and seizures.
Constituents
Uncaria tomentosa boasts a diverse array of constituents, including alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and sterols, with variations dictated by geographical regions.
Scientific Studies
The plant's benefits emerge prominently in chronic infections, with a minimum of 60 days of continuous use recommended to notice results. Despite minimal antibacterial action, Uncaria tomentosa stimulates the immune system, with potential benefits against viruses and Candida organisms noted in some in vitro studies. It actively reduces inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin E2, nitric oxide, COX-2, and NFkappaB.
Cat's Claw Side Effects
While a highly useful botanical, caution is recommended. Uncaria tomentosa is contraindicated during pregnancy and in cases of autoimmune conditions, organ transplants, or immunosuppressive drug use. Cat’s Claw requires special consideration with blood thinners and prior to surgery. Caution is advised for individuals with kidney damage or low blood pressure, with potential side effects encompassing nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.
References
1. Healing Lyme. Natural Healing of Lyme Borreliosis and the Coinfections Chlamydia and Spotted Fever Rickettsioses. By Stephen Harrod Buhner.
2. Herbal Antivirals - Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections. By Stephen Harrod Buhner
3. Cat’s Claw: Healing Vine of Peru. By Kenneth Jones
4. Cat's claw: an Amazonian vine decreases inflammation in osteoarthritis. Sonya R Hardin. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2007 Feb;13(1):25-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2006.10.003. Epub 2006 Dec 13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17210508/
5. Pharmacology and therapeutic uses of cat's claw. Goldina Ikezuagu Erowele et al. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009 Jun 1;66(11):992-5. doi: 10.2146/ajhp080443. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19451609/
6. Toxicological aspects of the South American herbs cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and Maca (Lepidium meyenii) : a critical synopsis. Luis G Valerio Jr et al. Toxicol Rev. 2005;24(1):11-35. doi: 10.2165/00139709-200524010-00002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16042502/
FAQ
What makes Apex Botanical tinctures different from other herbal tinctures?
Our tinctures stand out due to the premium quality of herbs we use. Crafted at a concentration of 1:4, our herbal tinctures prioritize both potency and effectiveness.
Unlike many other companies that employ a uniform alcohol percentage across all products, our approach is nuanced. We tailor the alcohol concentration for each herb based on the distinct medicinal properties of the plant.
This strategy reflects our commitment to a sophisticated extraction of medicinal compounds, effectively setting Apex Botanicals apart in the realm of herbal tinctures.
How should I consume my herbal tincture?
Herbal tinctures are generally taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before and after meals). They can be taken directly or added to 1oz of water if the taste is hard to swallow.
Dosing of herbal tinctures will generally vary from 1 drop once per day up to 1 tsp 3 times per day. When taking anti-microbial herbal tinctures, starting at a lower dose and increasing slowly is the general rule of thumb.
*Be sure to speak with your primary care provider to determine the correct dose for your needs.
How long should I take my herbal tincture for?
The length of time a tincture should be taken will vary considerably based on your state of health, the infection / symptom you’re trying to treat and other medications or treatments you are concurrently taking.
Most people with chronic tick-borne infections take an herbal tincture for between 3 months and 2 years.
As a general rule, its recommended to take an herbal tincture for at least 1 month to see the best results.
Are herbal tinctures safe for children?
Generally speaking, it is safe for children to consume herbal tinctures, but dosing should be adjusted. Refrence 'Clarks Rule' for further information.
*Always consult your primary care provider before starting a new protocol or giving your child herbal tinctures.
Are herbal tinctures safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Some herbs are strictly contraindicated in pregnancy and should be avoided. We do our best to indicate this on the product information page but are not held liable for any errors or omissions.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult your primary care provider before consuming any herbal tinctures.
Will my herbal tincture interact with medications or supplements?
Interactions of herbal tinctures with medications or supplements do exist. We strongly recommended consulting with your primary care provider or pharmacist before taking any herbal tinctures if you are concerned about potential contraindications.
What does a 1:4 ratio imply and how does it compare to 1:2 or 1:5+?
The ratio describes the concentration of a tincture. We use a 1:4 ratio, meaning 1 part dried herb (in grams) to 4 parts menstruum (the combined alcohol and herb).
A ratio of 1:5 has more liquid to the same amount of herb and is therefore more diluted.
A ratio of 1:10 or higher is very diluted and requires very high daily doses and is not recommended.
Tinctures made at 1:2 are often too concentrated for Lyme patients and commonly induce Herx reactions that can be very intense.
Most tinctures on the market are made at 1:5. We’ve chosen to use 1:4 to ensure greater potency while still being very safe and tolerable.
Does higher alcohol content mean an herbal tincture is more or less potent?
Using the correct alcohol percentage to extract the specific medicinal constituents of that herb is of highest importance when making a tincture. Using more or less alcohol essentially reflects the chemical nature of the compounds that we want to extract into the liquid portion.
A tincture made at 40% versus one made at 80% is not twice at strong. It simply implies that for the first herb, 40% alcohol will optimally extract the medicinal qualities. For the second herb, 80% is the concentration for optimal extraction.
We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that our tinctures are made using the correct concentrations.
*Please note that not all herbal tinctures on the market are made with the appropriate alcohol concentration so use our site as a reference or conduct your own research to make sure you’re purchasing the best formulated tincture possible.
Click here to read our complete list of Frequently Asked Questions.
SHARING THE GIFT OF WELLNESS
Free Herbal Protocol Guide for Lyme & Co-Infections
This comprehensive educational guide, developed by our Medical Director, Dr. Sal Meli ND, provides evidence-based insight into the physiological mechanisms of tick-borne infections and the supportive role of botanicals in addressing these challenges.
This resource is designed to simplify complex concepts and empower readers to make informed decisions about their approach to tick-borne infections.
Cat’s Claw is an integral part of my Lyme treatment.
I love taking the cat’s claw tincture in my morning smoothie.
Steady improvement in joint pain and energy. I’m walking much better. I just started to give some to my elderly dog and hope it will his arthritis
I haven’t used any of the products yet as I am finishing up other products.
I have been purchasing products from Apex botanicals for a couple of years now and find them to be of excellent quality. Customer service is also excellent.
Cat,s Claw helps w arthritis pain and my immune system