Cat's Claw (500mg)

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is an herb found in the highlands of Peru's Amazon rainforest. Known in Peruvian traditional medicine as Uña de Gato, cat's claw has been used as a medicinal herb with almost panacea-like qualities. It may be therapeutically useful for a range of health problems, including those associated with a weakened immune system.*

Peruvian Ashaninka Indian priests have traditionally used cat's claw to regulate what they perceive as the dynamic interaction between an individual's physical and spiritual well being. Modern Western science has identified alkaloids in cat's claw that may be responsible for its reputed curative powers.*

The alkaloids in cat's claw have been shown in scientific studies to be effective immunostimulants. In particular, the pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid, isopteropodine, enhances phagocytic activity of white blood cells. Extracts of cat’s claw also stimulate production of interleukin-1 and -6 in alveolar macrophages, suggesting a strong immunostimulant effect. These alkaloids also stimulate the production of lymphocyte proliferation regulating factor, which modulates the total number of leucocytes available for an immune response.*

The alkaloids in cat's claw extract are effective not only in the inhibition of platelet aggregation and associated thrombosis, but also in protection of cells against destructive oxidative damage and inflammation by inhibiting iNOS gene expression and activation of NF-kappaB.*