Uncaria tormentosa, known as “una de gato” is a climbing wood vine native of the Amazonian and Peruvian rain forest. The herb’s principal active compounds are seven alkaloids, proanthocyanidins, glycosides and triterpenes, and beta sitosterol.
- Anti-inflammatory. Cat’s claw exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity on the entire digestive tract as well as on joint tissues, of benefit to intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease, as well as arthritis.
- Antioxidant. A number of the polyphenols in cat’s claw appear to exert a powerful antioxidant action and free radical scavenging activity, which may be of help with a great many of our chronic degenerative diseases.
- Cardiovascular tonic. Several alkaloids of the herb, such as mitraphylline, rhynchophylline and hirsutine, show vasodilating properties that help reduce high blood pressure. Rhynchophylline inhibits platelet aggregation and risks of thrombosis while at the same time lowers the heart rate and blood cholesterol.
- Immune stimulant. Several compounds of this herb, and especially the alkaloid isopteropodine, are found to increase the process of phagocytosis, that is the ability of white blood cells to attack and destroy various bacteria, viruses, etc, and therefore beneficial against the common cold and flu.