Witnessed by: Western
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), of the Rubiaceae family. Large woody climbing vine bearing curved claw-like thorns; native range: Amazon rainforest of Peru and neighbouring South America. Globally recognized as uña de gato; Peruvian cat's claw in English. The part used is inner bark and root bark. Hard woody bark, faintly aromatic, with a persistently bitter astringent taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
CAT'S CLAW
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- cat's claw
- Scientific name
- Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
Form
- Part used
- inner bark and root bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · astringent
Temperature
- Western
- cool, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- immune · joints · bowels · blood
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- immunomodulant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, mild astringent
Cautions
Contraindications: avoid in pregnancy and lactation, and before or after organ transplant or with autoimmune disease under immunosuppression
Toxicity: low at usual doses; occasional gastrointestinal upset
Interactions
- Western
- immunosuppressants: immunostimulant action may oppose immunosuppressive therapy · CYP450-metabolised drugs: inhibition of CYP3A4 may raise levels of co-administered drugs · antihypertensives: possible additive lowering of blood pressure
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