Cat's Claw Contributions by green crane

In one study, cat's claw was found to help significantly relieve symptoms of Lyme Disease in patients who had been unresponsive to antibiotic treatment. The majority of those same patients who were retested for the disease in a follow up test actually tested negative for the disease.. ³ This study has been sited widely, though there were some flaws to it's initial design, including the fact that the treatment group received more than simply cat's claw; they received a specific blood-type diet, enzyme supplementssupplements, vitamin and mineral supplements, laser detoxification, skin brushing, laughter, prayer, and emotional release practices among other treatments.⁴

According to expert Stephen Harrod Buhner's view, cat's claw is useful for lyme infections in the following specific areas: 1)

1. For late-stage or chronic Lyme infections, it raises certain white blood cell counts (CD57)

2. Cat's

2. claw has an HLA-DR modulator

3. Raises the immune system function where necessary, and lowers an overactive response where necessary (acting to help the feedback-loop response of the body's innate immune function)

4. Reduces the arthritic symptoms through its anti-inflammatory properties

5. Supports memory function in the central nervous system

6. Protects the heart muscles

7. Acts as a tonic to the system to support general well-being³

Cat's claw is considered to be one of the main herbs that can help lower, or even eliminate, lyme spirochete loads in the body, support the innate immune function to help respond to the borrelia infection, and treat some of the symptoms of Lyme disease including central nervous system confusion, skin problems, and specifically arthritic inflammation among others.¹

Cat's claw is specifically good for helping treat late-stage Lyme infection, chronic Lyme, and that which does not respond to antibiotics.¹

(The other "main" herbs are Japanese Knotweed and Andrographis.)

Cat's claw, also known as una de gato, samento, and saventaro is an herb part of the rubiaceae family. The inner bark of the vine is the portion used as herbal medicine. Cat's claw is grown in the jungle, mostly the Amazon rainforest. Due to the popularity of and the increase in demand for this herb, some companies are cultivating this plant in an unethical way which does not allow for it to continue to regenerate and grow. Companies Preparation that use only the bark of this plant and not the root as well should be sought after when procuring this herbal treatment. Use of the root reduces future growth.

Cat's claw supports the immune system, provides anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antidepressant, antioxidant, and antiviral properties and is also a diuretic, among other uses.²