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(NaturalNews) Una de gato (Uncaria tomentosa) or Cats claw is an Amazonian vine that can be found in the high altitude Rainforest throughout Central and South America as well as in Trinidad and grows to lengths of more than 30 meters (100 feet) into the rainforest canopy. This wonderfully medicinal plant has been used for over 2,000 years for the treatment of numerous medical ailments by the Ashaninka, Shipibo, Conibo, and several other tribes throughout the South American Continent. It has been studied pharmacologically at research facilities since the 1970's in countries like Austria, Germany, England, Japan, and Peru, but has until recently been fairly unknown to the majority here in the United States. That trend is changing with Americans becoming more and more health conscious in the 21st Century.

Cats Claw's main medicinal use comes from the harvesting of its inner bark and root. This soft inner material contains a plethora of curative chemicals that have had a long history of treating ailments that include asthma, cirrhosis, rheumatism, various types of inflammation, diverticulosis, as well as degenerative diseases which include, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and various types of cancer. Since Klaus Keplinger's initial studies in the 1970's in Austria it can be fairly stated that Cats Claw is one of the most studied Amazonian plants of the 20th Century. The documented research into Cats Claw can be divided into three main areas of study: immuno-stimulant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumorous or anti-cancerous. The majority of study has focused on two groups of chemicals, oxidole alkaloids and quinovic acid glycosides. The unique synergy of these two groups of chemicals constitutes most of the remarkable curative factors of this plant.

In the research that Klaus Keplinger conducted in the 1970's as well as more resent supporting research done in Japan, Germany, France, Spain, Peru and the United States it has been found that the oxidole alkaloids in the whole cats claw extract can create an increased immuno-response of up to fifty percent. Other in vitro studies conducted in Italy and Sweden have shown that the oxidole alkaloid properties of cats claw can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells by up to ninety percent as well as inhibit the growth of lymphoma and leukemia cells. The studies done on the quinovic acid glycosides within cats claw have found that they can greatly reduce inflammation up to eighty nine percent. These phytochemicals have shown promising results with the reduction of the inflammatory responses in Arthritis, rheumatism, Irritable Bowel syndrome, and stomach ulcers as well as having anti-viral properties. A lesser known alkaloid in cats claw called rhynchophylline has shown that it prevents blood clots and thins the blood.

Cats claw has been a natural staple in South American Medicine for generations and its healing factors have been well documented. As the use of this plant becomes more common in mainstream society as a method of primary and complementary treatment the benefits of it's impact will speak for itself. If you are interested in learning more on cats claw please refer to the references below. If you are thinking of taking cats claw for curative purposes please make sure that you consult your doctor as the blood thinning and immuno-stimulant properties can have side effects if you are already on either a blood thinning or immuno-suppressant medication.

References:

Review of Antiviral and Immunomodulating Properties of Plants of the Peruvian Rainforest with a Particular Emphasis on Una de Gato and Sangre de Grado
Alternative Medical Review Vol. 6, No. 6, December 2001
http://www.thorne.com/media/peruvia...

Una de Gato: Fate and Future of a Peruvian Forest Resourse
http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/publicat...

All Natural.com
http://www.all-natural.com/catsclaw...

The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: pgs 217-224
Leslie Taylor, 2005
http://www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm

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