Cat's Claw

Uncaria tomentosa

Amazonian Medicinal Vine • Anti-Inflammatory • Immune-Supporting

Named for its distinctive claw-shaped thorns, cat’s claw has been used in Amazonian herbal traditions for centuries and remains one of South America’s most recognized medicinal plants.

Origin

Native to the tropical rainforests of South America, cat’s claw grows mainly in Peru and Bolivia. It thrives in the warm temperatures, high humidity, abundant rainfall, and fertile soils of the Amazon region.

Traditional Uses

Indigenous Amazonian communities have traditionally used cat’s claw to reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and treat a wide variety of ailments. Its bark was commonly prepared as a medicinal decoction or infusion.

Botanical Type

Cat’s claw is a woody perennial vine belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It can climb up to 100 feet through the rainforest canopy using curved, hook-like thorns that resemble a cat’s claws.

History & Tradition

Cat’s claw has played an important role in Amazonian herbal medicine for centuries, particularly among the Asháninka people of Peru. Largely unknown outside South America until the 1970s, it later gained international recognition for its traditional medicinal uses.

Nutrients & Compounds

Cat’s claw contains natural plant compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties. Among the most important are certain alkaloids that help regulate the immune response, along with polyphenols that provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Herbal Versatility

The bark is the most commonly used part of cat’s claw and is traditionally simmered in water to make an herbal tea with a mild, earthy flavor. Besides being prepared as an infusion, cat’s claw is also available as a liquid extract, tincture, or capsules.