This fact sheet provides basic information about cat’s claw—common names, usefulness and safety, and resources for more information.
Common Names: cat’s claw, uña de gato
Latin Name:
Uncaria tomentosa, Uncaria guianensis
Background
Cat’s claw is a woody vine that grows wild in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of Central and South America. Its thorns resemble a cat’s claws.
The two most common species are U. tomentosa and U. guianensis. Most commercial preparations of cat’s claw contain U. tomentosa.
Using cat’s claw for health dates back to the Inca civilization. Its historical uses have included for contraception, inflammation, cancer, and viral infections, and to stimulate the immune system.
Today, cat’s claw is used as a dietary supplement for a variety of health conditions including viral infections (such as herpes and HIV), Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis, diverticulitis, peptic ulcers, colitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, parasites, and leaky bowel syndrome.
The bark and root of cat’s claw are used to make liquid extracts, capsules, tablets, and tea.
How Much Do We Know?
- There have been very few high quality clinical trials (studies done in people) of cat’s claw.
What Have We Learned?
- There’s no conclusive scientific evidence based on studies in people that supports using cat’s claw for any health purpose.
What Do We Know About Safety?
- Few side effects have been reported for cat’s claw when taken in small amounts.
- Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid using cat’s claw because
- of its past use for preventing and aborting pregnancy.
Keep in Mind
- Tell all your health care providers about any complementary or integrative health approaches
- you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
For More Information
- Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
- Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
- Know the Science: 9 Questions To Help You Make Sense of Health Research
NCCIH Clearinghouse
The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.
A service of the National Library of Medicine, PubMed® contains publication information and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals. For guidance from NCCIH on using PubMed, see How To Find Information About Complementary Health Approaches on PubMed.
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