Cat's Claw
Uncaria guianensis
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
Cat's Claw, Uncaria guianensis, is an evergreen climbing shrub that can be found in South America. It is used in traditional medicine as a treatment for a wide range of diseases and conditions such as inflammations, rheumatism, arthritis, urinary tract infections, gastric ulcers, asthma, wounds, menstrual irregularities, cancer, fevers, haemorrhage, weakness, mouth ulcers, tuberculosis, coughs, colds, etc. The stems produce a potable sap. Wood is used in furniture making.
Uncaria guianensis is an evergreen Climber growing to 30 m (98ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 30
Where it is found
Found mainly in secondary forest.
S. America - Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; north to Tr
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
The stems are a source of a potable sap that is used to quench thirst and as a restorative drink. A watery, astringent taste.
Sap: usually of trees and usually but not always used as a drink.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 4
Cat's claw has a long history of traditional use, being employed in the treatment of a range of conditions including inflammations (especially rheumatism), arthritis, urinary tract infections and gastric ulcers. It has also been used as a blood purifier; to cleanse the kidneys; to recover from childbirth or treat menstrual irregularities; as a treatment for asthma Applied externally, it is used as a wash for wounds in order to promote healing, to cleanse the skin of impurities etc. The plant is widely used in modern herbal medicine, where it is primarily valued for its stimulatory effect upon the immune system. The part most commonly used is the stem bark. Cat's claw has many modern applications, which is a common trait of herbs with immune stimulatory activity, and includes: disease prevention, cancer, recovery from chemotherapy side effects, recovery from childbirth, urinary tract infections, wounds, fevers, haemorrhages, and weakness. Applications for cat's claw which have had some clinical research include viral infections, pain and symptoms of Herpes infections, and for inflammatory conditions, such as Rheumatoid arthritis. Research has shown that the plant is anti-inflammatory, immune system stimulant, cytoprotective and antioxidant. The plant is astringent. An infusion of the whole plant is drunk to remedy dysentery. The plant is burned and powdered, then used on wounds. It is made into a gargle to remedy mouth ulcers. The leaves are used in the treatment of tuberculosis, coughs and colds. The plant contains tannins.
Antiarthritic: Treats arthritis.
Antiasthmatic: Treats asthma.
Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Blood purifier: Purifies the blood.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
Mouthwash: Treats problems such as mouth ulcers.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Other
Rating: 2
Other Uses: The wood is a pale pinkish-brown; straight-grained; coarse-textured; light in weight. The stems are used in making furniture.
Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
A plant of mainly low elevations in the tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. Succeeds in fairly sunny positions, as on forest edges. Prefers a pH in the range 4.4 - 6.2. The stems are only large enough to harvest when they are 8 years or elder. Generally, it is recommended that the vine is cut at 20 - 100cm above the ground and left to regenerate.
Propagating it: Seed - it has a very short viability and needs to be sown as soon as it is ripe. Stem cuttings about 20cm long. If the soil of the forest is moist enough, the cuttings are said to be easy to reproduce by directly inserting them into the forest floor. If the conditions are right, the roots develop soon after transplanting.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
cat's-claw, uña de gato, uña de gato blanca.
Synonyms
Nauclea aculeata (Willd.) Willd. Nauclea guianensis (Aubl.) Poir. Ourouparia guianensis Aubl. Uncari