Cat's Claw Powder

What is cat's claw powder? Cat's claw, or Uncaria tomentosa, is a medicinal plant that grows in the Amazonian rainforest and other tropical areas in Central and South America. The Incas were the first people to use the herb. The native people of South America used cat's claw to treat ulcers, cancer, viral infections, and inflammation and to strengthen the immune system. Its name comes from the fact that its thorns look like cat claws. The plants Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis can both be called "cat's claw." Most teas, tablets, and capsules sold in stores have U. tomentosa in them. The two types of cat's claw possess distinct active compounds and serve diverse purposes. There are more pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POAs) in Uncaria tomentosa, while U. guianensis has more tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (TOAs). POAs affect the immune system, while TOAs affect the brain and spinal cord. POAs have no effect when TOAs are in place. So, before buying and using cat's claw extracts,