Cats Claw

Cats Claw is a popular herb among the indigenous people of Peru, where it is used to treat cancer, diabetes, ulcers, arthritis, and infections, as well as assist in recovery from childbirth. It is also used as a contraceptive. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggests that Cats Claw may be helpful for the treatment of osteoarthritis. There are many other proposed uses of Cats Claw but they all lack meaningful scientific substantiation.

Cats Claw is most often marketed as a treatment for viral diseases such as herpes, shingles, AIDS, and feline leukemia virus. However, the evidence for these uses is extremely preliminary. The most meaningful study yet performed on Cats Claw suggests that it might be helpful for an entirely different condition: osteoarthritis. Cats Claw has also been proposed as a treatment for allergies, stomach ulcers and rheumatoid arthritis, but there is no meaningful evidence as yet that it is effective for these conditions.

A four week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the potential benefits of Cats Claw for the treatment of osteoarthritis. A total of 45 individuals with osteoarthritis were enrolled. Of these, 30 were treated with freeze dried Cats Claw aqueous extract, and 15 were given placebo. Individuals in the treatment group showed reduced pain with activity as compared to those in the placebo group. However, no comparative improvements were seen in knee pain at rest or at night, nor in knee circumference. This pilot trial suggests that Cats Claw may be a useful treatment for osteoarthritis. However, more research will be necessary to verify this potential use of the herb.

The optimum dosage of Cats Claw is not clear. Because of the wide variation in the forms and preparations sold, we recommend following the directions on the products label.

In general, use of Cats Claw has not been associated with adverse effects more serious than occasional digestive upset or allergic reactions. However, full safety studies have not been completed, and there has been one report of kidney failure apparently triggered by Cats Claw. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established. Some evidence suggests that Cats Claw might interact with various medications by affecting their metabolism in the liver, but the extent of this effect has not been fully determined.