Cats Claw 12 August 2009
Cats claw (Uncaria tomentosa), frequently known as Samento is an herb native to Central and South America, found in the Amazon rainforest. It has been used medicinally for hundreds of years.
Laboratory studies have shown that cats claw is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Inflammatory markers that reduce with cats claw include tumor necrosis factor and prostaglandin E2. A study published in the September 2001 edition of the journal Inflammation Research found that cats claw significantly reduced the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee. Another study published in the April 2002 edition of the Journal of Rheumatology found significant improvements in the pain and functional ability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Research has found that cats claw boosts the immune system. A study published in the February 2000 edition of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that adult men who supplemented with cats claw for 6 months experienced an increase in their white cell count, indicating improved immune function. Cats claw has also been shown to protect DNA from damage both from radiation and chemotherapy.
There is also a role for cats claw in cancer prevention. A study published in the July edition of the journal Anticancer Research found that cats claw prevented the proliferation of human breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Similar results have been demonstrated with human leukemia cells.
Cats claw is very well tolerated but because it improves immune function, it should be avoided by people with transplants, recent grafts and immunosuppressive therapy. Those with autoimmune diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis (lupus and MS for example), children under the age of 3, pregnant and breast feeding women should avoid cats claw.
The highest quality cats claw is available for patients of the Emerson Health and Wellness Centre.