| Cats claw is a woody vine that grows in the Amazon | | | | Cats claw contains many groups of plant chemicals |
| rain forest. The vine has thorns at the base of the | | | | that account for its curative properties. These include |
| leaves that look like the claws of a cat, which is why | | | | oxidole alkaloids that are responsible for its |
| the early indigenous people of the region named it so. | | | | antileukemic and immune stimulant properties. Other |
| Cats claw grows in Peru and most jungle areas of | | | | groups of chemicals and compounds are responsible |
| South America. Recently Peru has recognized the | | | | for its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. A |
| importance of this medicinal plant and given it | | | | third group of compounds known as carboxyl alkyl |
| protected status. | | | | esters contribute to its anti-cancerous and |
| In South America Cats claw has been used for | | | | cell-repairing properties. |
| thousands of years. Recent research has confirmed | | | | Medical researchers worldwide are very interested in |
| many traditional beliefs and uses. Traditionally Cats | | | | studying Cats claw. The interest in Cats claw herb, |
| claw herb has been in use to treat a variety of | | | | which contains several groups of chemicals and |
| diseases including asthma, arthritis, rheumatism, bone | | | | compounds that bestow it with many curative |
| pain, urinary tract inflammation, gastric ulcers, | | | | properties, was natural, and has resulted in the |
| hemorrhages, irregular menstrual cycles, cirrhosis, | | | | preparation and marketing of several Cats claw |
| abscesses, diabetes, tumors and cancer. Cats claw | | | | extracts in many European countries. Patent |
| herb has also been used to heal deep wounds, and | | | | applications in the US are pending for extraction |
| to help in recovering from childbirth. Some tribes have | | | | methods of immunity strengthening drugs from Cats |
| also been known to use the Cats claw herb as a | | | | claw. With more researchers joining in from Spain, |
| contraceptive, though this seems to require a very | | | | France, Japan, Germany, and Peru, the curative |
| large dosage. | | | | properties of this herb appear to have gained |
| The use of Cats claw since the 1990s as an | | | | overwhelming acceptance by modern medical |
| adjunctive treatment for cancer and AIDS shows its | | | | practitioners. |
| acceptance by modern systems of medicine as a | | | | The inner bark and roots of Cats claw are used for |
| serious contender in strengthening the immune | | | | the preparation of medicines. Cats claw is available to |
| system. In combination with AZT, Cats claw has | | | | the consumer in the form of capsules and tincture. |
| been used in clinical studies of possible treatments for | | | | Cats claw tincture is made by extracting the vine in |
| AIDS. Apart from cancer and AIDS, the herb's | | | | 45% alcohol and distilled water, it is taken under the |
| immune stimulating effects have made it useful in | | | | tongue or mixed with juice or water. It is |
| preventing strokes and heart attacks, reducing blood | | | | recommended to use 60 ml of tincture twice per |
| clots, and for treating irritable bowel syndrome. | | | | day, or as required. |