that actually do the work. A theory most natural health practitioners would agree with, including me.
Cat’s claw’s scientifically confirmed benefits are as follows:

• Anti-inflammatory protection targets arthritis and other autoimmune ailments
• Immune system modulator
• Antioxidants rid the body of free radicals
• Protects DNA and initiates DNA repair
• Protects against cancer, with special anti-proliferative activity on the MCF7 breast cancer line
• Strong antimicrobial properties
• As an adaptogen, it also helps the body deal with stress

Strong anti-inflammatory

Scientists have long thought that down regulation of the growth hormone, IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1), plays a role in the development of Osteoarthritis. Researchers at the Center for Cardiovascular Medicine, Albany Medical College and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in the USA were the first to discover that IGF-1 production could be upregulated and provide relief and perhaps even repair the damage Osteoarthritis causes to bone joints.

The scientists used damaged cartilage harvested with permission from surgical procedures on patients with Osteoarthritis. They treated the cartilage with a combination of Cat’s Claw and Maca.
The following is taken from their report:

“We reported that U. guianensis in combination with Lepidium meyenii had chondroprotective properties in human cartilage. This action was mediated in part through upregulation of gene expression of the anabolic insulin-like growth factor 1 in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes.”

They also reported that Cat’s Claw inhibits the expression of the genes that control the production of the oxidizers, inducible nitric oxide and nitric oxide, as well as the gene, TNFα, which is involved in the chronic inflammation pathway.

They concluded that Cat’s Claw in combination with Maca or alone upregulated IGF-1 in an additive manner, which means it gets better and better over time.

Studies have been done showing similar results for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Immune system modulator

Cat’s Claw contains strong antioxidants that destroy free radicals and increase the immune response. Scientists at the São Paulo State University in Brazil tested it for immune response in mice. They found that it increased T2 helper cell and B-cell number, and improved T-cell activity at moderate dosages. However, at high doses the reproduction of T2 helper-cells was inhibited.

The scientists concluded that Cat’s Claw at normal dosages is a safe and effective immune modulator.

T2 helper cells produce anti-inflammatory cytokines that work to inhibit the inflammatory response to T1 helper cells, which can cause excess inflammation and autoimmune diseases. T2 helper cells also help to destroy inter-cellular parasites and antigens (invaders). Scientists have long thought that excess T2 helper cells are involved in allergic responses. However, recent research has found that people with serious allergies are often short both T1 and T2 helper cells. The general consensus now is that T1 and T2 helper cells need to be in balance.

A T2 type immune response is the kind of response babies have initially. As they are exposed to more and more antigens, their immune systems build a more complex immune response. This doesn’t mean that the T2 response isn’t effective or desirable. It kills invaders and fights chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

Powerful antioxidant

Scientists don’t understand Cat’s Claw’s ability to protect cells from oxidation, but it does. In a study at the Albany Medical College in New York and Rainforest Phytoceuticals, also in New York, scientists compared the antioxidant ability of Cat’s claw, Green tea extract, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) against stomach and small intestine cells.

Cat’s claw and Green tea extract displayed similar antioxidant activities. The interesting part is that while the vitamin C was a stronger antioxidant, the Cat’s Claw and Green tea were better at protecting cells from apoptosis (suicide) or necrosis (mass cellular) death. The only conclusion the scientists could make was that the Cat’s Claw and Green tea provided intracellular protection against the genes that control the death pathways.

Cat’s claws antioxidant abilities are also evident in its ability to fight autoimmune disorders like arthritis. In fact, the scientists that reported Cat’s claws ability to modulate osteoarthritis also noted that both varieties had the same antioxidant protective action, even though Uncaria Quianensis does not contain the strong antioxidants.

Protects Against and Kills Cancer

It is Cat’s claw’s antioxidant properties that play a role in its ability to fight cancer, and the normal cell death that occurs when patients are on chemotherapy drugs. Several studies have reported that it is a powerful adjutant to chemotherapy. However, it is a powerful cancer fighter in its own right.

It may be important to note here that USA medical establishment researchers have to study any herb in conjunction with chemotherapy to maintain their credentials. In the United States, any cancer therapy that does not include chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery is against federal law.

It may also be important to note that several establishment institutions now include natural therapies with chemo, radiation, and surgery in order to save more people, and their success rates are increasing.

Natural cures not only kill the cancer, they protect against deadly cancer drugs, too.

Cat’s claw is one of those natural treatments. Many studies have validated the use of Cat’s claw as an adjunct to chemotherapy treatments, and it is currently used in this way by some practitioners.
Studies have also shown its ability to kill cancer cells without the chemotherapy drugs. I mentioned above that Uncaria Quianensis doesn’t contain the oxindole alkaloids that researchers have for years believed were the primary disease fighters. In a joint study by researchers from several Brazilian Universities and the University of Kentucky in the United States, the scientists divided an alcohol and water derived extract into three separate substrates.

1. The initial whole-herb extract from an alcohol and water soak
2. The whole-herb extract soaked in chloroform
3. The whole-herb extract soaked in n-butanol.

The whole-herb extract from the water and alcohol contained oxindole alkaloids along with any other water or alcohol soluble nutrients in the herb. But of the substrates, only the chloroform solution contained alkaloids.

The results showed that the whole-herb extract had the strongest anti-cancer activity. And, amazingly, it not only killed the cancer cells by down regulating the genes that protected them from oxidation, it actually had the reverse effect on healthy cells, up regulating their antioxidation abilities.

The n-butanol substrate had the next strongest cancer fighting properties, and the chloroform substrate, containing the alkaloids, showed little or no action against cancer. This is strong evidence for the whole-herb synergy theory.

Studies have shown that Cat’s claw is effective against many types of cancer. It seems especially effective against breast cancers and the brain cancers that result when breast cancer spreads.

Undocumented Health Benefits

The following are benefits claimed for Cat’s claw, but for which I found little or no scientific documentation:

1. Improved memory
2. Fights chronic fatigue
3. Inhibits the production of estrogen
4. Supports and cleans the intestinal tract, providing relief from colitis,
   Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and leaky bowel syndrome
5. Promotes wound healing

Dosage

Since there are two cat’s claw’s, It is important that you find a dependable source and buy the same supplement from the same buyer so you know you are getting the same herb every time. Some herbalists discourage the use of cat’s claw because the chemotype is not always dependable.

Take 250 to 350 mg of the ethanolic extract. Research has shown that increasing the dosage does not increase the benefits. Also, the benefits increase over time. Don’t look for instant results.

Dried concentrates are available and have shown positive results in the few studies that used them. Take the dosage recommended on the bottle.

Warnings & side effects

Cat’s claw is safe for most people. Some people have reported dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea. The diarrhea is mild and goes away with continued use.

Cat’s claw has not been tested in pregnant or nursing women. If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid Cat’s claw.

People with auto-immune diseases other than arthritis should consult with a doctor before taking Cat’s claw. While it is known that Cat’s claw modulates the immune system, not enough evidence exists that shows it won’t simply increase the immune response when confronted with some auto-immune diseases.

Cat’s claw is reported to lower blood pressure. While this is not confirmed, people with low blood pressure or those on blood pressure drugs should consult with a health-care professional and monitor their blood pressure when taking Cat’s claw. Also, stop taking Cat’s claw two weeks before surgery.

Cat’s claw may make leukemia worse. Don’t take Cat’s claw if you have leukemia.