Emmlene Gregory
3 July 2026
Cat's claw
Uncaria Tomentosa
Uncaria tomentosa, more commonly known as cat's claw, is a tropical vine native to the Amazon rainforest and regions of Central and South America. Traditionally used in herbal medicine, the extract is often explored for its potential role in supporting immune balance.
Who should use Uncaria Tomentosa (Cat’s Claw)?
In terms of its traditional use, cat's claw is thought to modulate immune function, especially in cases of viral infection, and ease inflammatory joint discomfort in conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (1).
How it works
Antioxidant constituents help shield cells from oxidative stress (2), this means that it helps the body to deal with certain unavoidable everyday environmental and metabolic pressures that we are exposed to, just from being alive.
Interest in cat's claw centres on its rich concentration of naturally occurring plant compounds. Among these are what are known as oxindole alkaloids, polyphenols and tannins, asll substances recognised for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
The takeaways
Uncaria Tomentosa (Cat’s Claw) is a traditional botanical extract valued for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with ongoing research continuing to explore its wider potential in the context of human health.
Academic References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cat’s Claw: Health Information https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cats-claw
- Ciani F, Cocchia N, Calabrò V, et al. Chapter 45 - Uncaria tomentosa: a promising source of therapeutic agents for prevention and treatment of oxidative stress and cancer. In: Preedy VR, Patel VB, eds. Cancer. 2nd ed. London, UK: Academic Press; 2021:505-514. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348903752_Uncaria_tomentosa_A_promising_source_of_therapeutic_agents_for_prevention_and_treatment_of_oxidative_stress_and_cancer
