CAT'S CLAW OR UNA DE GATO

Cat’s Claw (lat. Uncaria Tomentosa)

Alternative names: Cat's Claw, Hawk's Claw, Spanish: Una de Gato, Paraguaya, Garbato, Tambor hausca, Toron.

Family Rubiaceae.

Cat's Claw is a large woody vine that sometimes reaches heights of 100 feet. Native to the Amazon rainforest and other places in South and Central America.

Cat's Claw got its name from the curved, claw-like thorns that grow on its stem. The bark is fissured and ranges from a yellow to yellowish-green in colour. The thorny spines are woody, paired and curved likea Cat's Claw. The sap has a watery and astringent taste. The root and bark of Cat's Claw are the parts used more often.

Cat's Claw contains many types of plant chemicals such as tannins and sterols.

Cat’s Claw contains:

• antioxidants (including catechin and procyanidins)

• oleanolic acid, palmitoleic acid

• rutin

• plant sterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol)

 Forms:

• liquid extract

• capsule

• tablet

• tea

• cream

• tincture