Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Cat’s Claw?UsesOther UsesDosesSide EffectsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Cat’s Claw?
Uses
Other Uses
Doses
Side Effects
Frequently Asked Questions
Cat’s claw, also known asUncaria tomentosa, is a plant native to the Amazon. It is most commonly studied for its anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects.The supplement may help people deal with fatigue due to cancer, as well as slow the growth of certain cancer cell types.
While these and other uses for cat’s claw have potential, more research is needed to better understand any benefits. Caution is needed, though, especially for people taking medications that may interact with cat’s claw.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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There are a number of potential uses for cat’s claw.
Anti-Inflammatory
A review of anti-inflammatory drugs and herbs found that medicinal plants, such as cat’s claw, can aid in reducing or preventing inflammatory processes in the body.
Although further research is needed, this review also cited limited side effects from medicinal herbs, such as cat’s claw, compared to commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory medicines.
Denture Stomatitis
A small randomized study found that a 2% cat’s claw gel was as effective in reducing the symptoms of denture stomatitis as the commonly prescribed miconazole gel.
Fatigue and Quality of Life in People With Cancer
A small study found that daily supplementation of 300 milligrams (mg) cat’s claw extract reduced measures of fatigue and increased measures of quality of life for individuals with advanced tumors.
However, the supplementation did not show a reduction in tumor size or other measures of inflammation in the blood.
The following include other emerging uses for cat’s claw. However, it is essential to note that there is little evidence backing the effectiveness of cat’s claw in these conditions.
Alzheimer’s
Cancer
A cell study using cat’s claw in human breast cancer tissue showed promising antitumor effects when used in conjunction with more traditional breast cancer treatments.
A study involving both glioblastoma (brain tumor) and bladder cancer cells found that a particular active ingredient in cat’s claw - pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid - was harmful to the cancerous cells.
COVID-19
Some research has suggested that the active ingredients in cat’s claw may be an effective adjunct treatment for COVID-19. However, these theoretical models are yet to be tested in human or animal populations.
Hypertension in Pregnancy
A non-human study found that supplementation with cat’s claw reduced measures of hypertension (high blood pressure) in both pregnant and non-pregnant mice.
Additionally, cellular inflammation was decreased in human placental tissue when a cat’s claw extract was applied.
Dosage
There is no consensus on a safe internal dosage for cat’s claw.
For external applications, 2% cat’s claw extract gels were as effective against yeast overgrowth as 2% anti-fungal prescription gels.
Cat’s Claw Supplement Facts
Safety
Avoid cat’s claw if you’re allergic to it or its components (parts).
Seek immediate medical attention if you have asevere allergic reaction(itching, hives, shortness of breath).
Serotonin syndrome:Cat’s claw has been indicated in at least one case ofserotonin syndrome(a dangerous build-up of serotonin in the body) in the United States. It is believed that one of the active ingredients in cat’s claw may increase serotonin levels in the blood.
This can be dangerous for anyone taking prescribed medicine that is also meant to increase serotonin in the blood (such as SSRIs).
Interactions
Dosages of cat’s claw as low as 1% have been found to interact with various prescribed medications.It may interact with the following:
Precautions
The following precautions should be taken with cat’s claw:
Summary
Cat’s claw is a plant native to the Amazon and has been commonly used as a folk medicine to treat many symptoms.There is some evidence that the active ingredients in cat’s claw can reduce inflammation both internallyand externally.
Care should be taken when supplementing with cat’s claw, particularly for those prescribed SSRIs,blood pressure medicines,anticoagulants,cancer medications,and/or antiretrovirals.Caution should also be taken for overall herb-drug interactions.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCat’s claw is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its ability to modulate the body’s immune system.Cat’s claw is also believed to reducefree radicalsin the body - a common culprit of inflammation.There is limited evidence that cat’s claw, when used as a complement to other forms of treatment, can inhibit the replication of viruses, such as HIV.This should not be taken to mean that cat’s claw alone kills viruses or is a first-line treatment for viral infections.There is some research being done to suggest that the active ingredients in cat’s claw may be an effective adjunct treatment for covid-19.However, these theoretical models are yet to be tested in human or animal populations.
Cat’s claw is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its ability to modulate the body’s immune system.Cat’s claw is also believed to reducefree radicalsin the body - a common culprit of inflammation.
Cat’s claw is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its ability to modulate the body’s immune system.
Cat’s claw is also believed to reducefree radicalsin the body - a common culprit of inflammation.
There is limited evidence that cat’s claw, when used as a complement to other forms of treatment, can inhibit the replication of viruses, such as HIV.This should not be taken to mean that cat’s claw alone kills viruses or is a first-line treatment for viral infections.
There is limited evidence that cat’s claw, when used as a complement to other forms of treatment, can inhibit the replication of viruses, such as HIV.
This should not be taken to mean that cat’s claw alone kills viruses or is a first-line treatment for viral infections.
There is some research being done to suggest that the active ingredients in cat’s claw may be an effective adjunct treatment for covid-19.However, these theoretical models are yet to be tested in human or animal populations.
There is some research being done to suggest that the active ingredients in cat’s claw may be an effective adjunct treatment for covid-19.
However, these theoretical models are yet to be tested in human or animal populations.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Kaiser S, Carvalho ÂR, Pittol V, et al.Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw): Chemotype relevance.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2016;189:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.026
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Kolodziejczyk-Czepas J, Ponczek M, Sady-Janczak M, et al.Extracts from Uncaria tomentosa as antiplatelet agents and thrombin inhibitors – the in vitro and in silico study.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021;267:113494. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113494
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