In centuries past, people have used a cat’s claw, a herbal supplement made from the leaves of a tropical vine. A variety of ailments, including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, and infections, may help by using this supplement [1].
On the other hand, science only supports a subset of these advantages. This article will provide you with information on the benefits, side effects, and dosage of a cat’s claw.
What is a Cat’s Claw?
Uncaria tomentosa, or a cat’s claw, is a tropical vine that can grow up to 98 feet in height (30 meters). It gets its name from the hooked thorns on its branches, reminiscent of cat claws.
In South and Central America, you can find it primarily in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical regions.
Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis are the two most common varieties. In the United States, the former is frequently used in dietary supplements [2].
Traditional medicine in South America is using the bark and root for centuries to treat various conditions, including infections, cancer, and inflammation.
Supplements containing a cat’s claw are available in the form of a liquid extract, capsule, powder, or tea.
Potential Health Benefits
Cat’s claw is popular as a herbal supplement due to its health benefits, though only a few of these claims are scientifically proven.
May Help Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes swollen, warm, and painful joints. It is the most common type of arthritis. More than 1.28 million adults in the United States are affected by this condition, becoming more common [3].
According to some research, a cat’s claw may be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis.
According to one study, taking 60 mg of Cat’s claw extract daily and standard medication reduced the number of painful joints by 29% [4].
Like osteoarthritis, a cat’s claw can help reduce inflammation and thus relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms [5].
While these findings are encouraging, the evidence is insufficient. Moreover, to confirm these benefits, larger, higher-quality studies are is a need.
May Help Relieve Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of joint disease in the US, causes painful, stiff joints [6].
In one study, 45 people with knee osteoarthritis received 100 mg of Cat’s claw extract daily for four weeks. They reported less pain while exercising. No side effects were reported. But neither the pain nor the swelling subsided [7].
Following an eight-week study, a supplement containing Cat’s claw and maca root — a Peruvian medicinal plant — significantly reduced pain and stiffness in people suffering from knee osteoarthritis. A further benefit was that participants required less pain medication [8].
Participants in another trial with osteoporosis were given a daily mineral supplement in addition to 100 mg of Cat’s claw extract as part of their treatment when compared to those who did not take the supplements, those who did improve in terms of joint pain, and function after 1–2 weeks [9].
On the other hand, the benefits did not last longer than eight weeks.
Additionally, it’s important to note that determining the precise action of a cat’s claw in studies that test multiple supplements simultaneously can be difficult.
Scientists believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of a cat’s claw may also be beneficial in treating osteoarthritis symptoms.
Furthermore, take into consideration the fact that additional research on Cat’s claw and osteoarthritis is needed [10].
Could Possibly Boost Your Immune System
IIn some cases, a cat’s claw can help boost your immune system, helping you fight infections better.
For two months, 27 men took 700 mg of Cat’s claw extract twice daily; the researchers discovered that their white blood cell count, which is involved in infection resistance, increased significantly [11].
A six-week study on four men found similar results [12].
The immune system is thought to be stimulated by a cat’s claw, and an overactive immune system is believed to be calmed [13].
According to some research, its immune-boosting properties may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties [14].
Despite these encouraging findings, additional research is a need.
Unproven Health Claims
Cat’s claw contains a number of beneficial compounds, including phenolic acids, alkaloids, and flavonoids [15,16].
The evidence for many of its alleged benefits, such as those associated with the following conditions, is, on the other hand, insufficient.
- AIDS
- Ovarian cysts
- Asthma
- Stomach and bowel disorders
- Gout
- High blood pressure
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Viral infections
- Cancer
Due to a shortage of research, whether a cat’s claw is a safe or effective treatment option for these conditions is unknown.
Precautions and Side Effects
However, while adverse reactions to a cat’s claw are extremely rare, there is currently insufficient data to determine the claw’s overall safety at this time.
When consumed in large quantities, the high tannin content of the Cat’s claw can cause nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea in susceptible individuals [17].
According to test-tube studies and case reports, other possible side effects include adverse effects on kidney function, anti-estrogen effects, nerve damage, increased risk of bleeding, and low blood pressure [18,19,20].
Having said that, these signs and symptoms are relatively uncommon.
According to consensus, it is recommended that the following groups of people avoid or limit their contact with Cat’s claw:
- People on other medications
- Because a cat’s claw may interact with certain medications, including those used to treat blood clotting, cancer, cholesterol, and high blood pressure, you should consult your physician before using it [21].
- People with other medical conditions
- In Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
- Because of a scarcity of safety information, consuming a cat’s claw while pregnant or nursing a child or infant is not recommended.
Due to a lack of safety evidence, you should always proceed with caution when using a cat’s claw.
Dosage
If you decide to use a cat’s claw, keep in mind that there are currently no dosage recommendations available.
The WHO suggests taking extracts in two to three separate doses per day, ranging from 20–350 mg dried stem bark or 300–500 mg capsules.
Cat’s claw extract has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee in patients taking daily doses of 60 and 100 mg [23,24].
One potential risk is that the FDA does not strictly regulate many herbal supplements, including Cat’s claw. As a result, it is recommended that you purchase a cat’s claw from a reputable supplier to avoid contamination.
Consider brands independently tested by groups like ConsumerLab.com, the United States Pharmacopeia, or NSF International.
Conclusion
Leafy tropical vines are the source of the popular herbal supplement cat’s claw.
Although Cat’s claw’s health benefits have not been scientifically proven, some evidence suggests that it may help boost your immune system and alleviate osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
Because there are no established safety and dosage guidelines for Cat’s claw, it may be a good idea to consult with your doctor before attempting to consume it.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.