Uña de Gato or Cat s Claw: Another Valuable Treasure from the Peruvian Rain Forest :: Botany

Ua de Gato or Cat s Claw Another Valuable appreciate from the Peruvian Rain ForestCats Claw, in any case commonly called Ua de Gato, is a breakthrough herbal medicine that is reported to be in effect(p) to the treatment of cancer, digestion disorders, Crohns disease, arthritis, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, bursitis, rheumatism, genital herpes and herpes zoster, allergies, ulcers, general candidiasis, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), along with numerous other bowl and intestinal disorders. It also is noteworthy to have positive effect on immune system problems, including those infected with the HIV virus. This wonder drug seems to have surpassed the capabilities of other sought later on natural medicinal products such as golden seal, astragalus, Siberian Ginseng, maitake, and cheat cartilage. (Steinberg 1994) Cats Claw is a woody vine that grows over 100 feet in aloofness that is indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest and other tropical areas of South and pro form America in cluding Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. (www.raintree.com/catclaw.htm). Cats Claw is from 2 closely related species. Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis and two are used interchangeably by the locals. The difference between the two species is that U. tomentosa has smaller yellowish-white flowers and is found in elevations of 700 to 2500 meters while, U. guainensis has thorns that are more curved and reddish-orange flowers and is found at lower elevations. (Moss 1995 and www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm). According to legend, Cats Claw was discovered by a despaired Peruvian hunter who was having difficulty getting game for his family. Then unmatched day, he observed a jaguar that was clawing at a vine and also drinking the water that was seeping from it. Immediately after the jaguar complete drinking, he make a successful kill. The hunter decided to amount the lead of the jaguar and drank some of the water from the vine. Immediately, the hunter felt rejuvenated. The near day, the hunter woke up full of newfound strength. He finally made a successful hunting excursion and was able to bring family unit much needed food for his family. In the mid 1960s, an European teacher, Arturo Brell, and U.S. prof Eugene Whitworth, were the first to document the tribal uses of this plant. They also took plant samples and performed some display for the active components (www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm). However, they did not market their discovery. Shortly afterwards, Cats claw was rediscovered by Claus Keplinger, an Austrian scientist of Innsbruck University. (Moss 1995)