Cat’s Claw: Effects and Use of the Medicinal Plant

The cat’s claw is considered a medicinal plant with a wide range of medical effects, which has been used by the indigenous peoples of South America for many thousands of years. In this article we will tell you which complaints you can use cat’s claw for and how to use the medicinal plant correctly.

The effect of cat’s claw

In the traditional medicine of South American tribes, cat’s claw has long been used for numerous diseases. In Europe, however, the medicinal plant is more of an insider tip.

• Cat’s claw contains the active ingredients pteropodine and mitraphylline, which stimulate and strengthen the immune system . These are also responsible for the fact that the plant has an anti-inflammatory effect on the organism.
• The medicinal plant can have a pain-relieving effect on rheumatism and reduce the stiffness associated with the disease.
• You can also use cat’s claw for skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema to combat pain and itching.
• In addition, one can attribute an antitumor effect to the medicinal plant . Various in-vitro studies have already shown that cat’s claw extracts can kill cancer cells. However, these findings have not yet been tested on living beings. The available studies are therefore not sufficient for reliable knowledge.
• As a rule, there are no side effects when using cat’s claw. However, if the dose is too high, you may experience gastrointestinal or circulatory problems .
• The recommended daily dose is between two and six grams.

How to use cat’s claw correctly

The cat’s claw is a type of liana native to the South American rainforest. It owes its name to its sickle-shaped thorns, which are reminiscent of cat claws.

• The healing properties of cat’s claw are contained in the flowers, thorns, leaves, roots and bark. Cat’s claw extract is available in the form of drops, tablets and capsules.
• You can also purchase and use cat’s claw as a tea.
• To prepare the tea you need about two teaspoons of the tea and a liter of water. Let the tea simmer over low heat for about five minutes and then steep for at least 15 minutes.
• Since the cat’s claw tea tastes a bit bitter on its own, you can refine it with honey or a little lemon juice, for example.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, we do not recommend consuming cat’s claw, as there is still no reliable evidence of its safety.