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Cat's Claw

traditional immune support and anti-inflammatory uses

herb
Evidence · Grade C
Human trial evidenceTraditional useInteraction risk

Amazonian vine for immune modulation and inflammation.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of Central and South America. Its bark and root have been traditionally used for various health purposes. While often marketed for its potential immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties, scientific research on these effects in humans is limited. The plant contains several compounds, including oxindole alkaloids and triterpenes, which are thought to contribute to its biological activities. However, the precise mechanisms and clinical efficacy require further investigation.

Quick answer

What it is: Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of Central and South America.

May support:Lyme Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Evidence:Evidence · Grade C

Evidence Summary

Evidence · Grade C

The current evidence for Cat's Claw is primarily based on traditional use, in vitro studies, and animal models. There is a lack of robust, well-designed human clinical trials to definitively establish its efficacy for any specific health condition. Therefore, any claims regarding its benefits should be considered preliminary and unproven.

Last reviewed · Jun 2026

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Why It Works

Alkaloids modulate NF-kB and cytokines.

How it works in more detail

Cat's Claw contains several classes of compounds, including pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POAs) and tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (TOAs), as well as triterpenes, polyphenols, and sterols. POAs, such as pteropodine and isopteropodine, are thought to modulate immune responses, potentially by affecting lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. TOAs, like rhynchophylline, may have different or even opposing effects. The anti-inflammatory properties are hypothesized to involve the inhibition of NF-kB activation and subsequent reduction in pro-inflammatory mediators, but these mechanisms are largely derived from in vitro and animal studies.

How to use

Always consult a qualified clinician.

Editorial guidance

Suggested dosage
250–1000 mg/day
Research dosage range
Research dosages vary widely depending on the extract type and study design, with some studies using 20-60 mg of standardized extract daily, while others use higher doses of crude bark preparations.
Typical onset
Information on the typical onset of effects for Cat's Claw is not well-established in scientific literature, often varying based on individual response and the condition being addressed.
Typical forms
capsule, tablet, tincture, tea
Quality markers
When purchasing Cat's Claw, look for products standardized to contain specific levels of oxindole alkaloids. Reputable brands that provide third-party testing for purity and absence of contaminants are preferable. Sourcing from sustainable practices is also a consideration.
Medication interactions
  • immunosuppressants
  • anticoagulants
  • antiplatelet drugs
  • blood pressure medications
Avoid if
  • pregnant
  • breastfeeding
  • autoimmune disease
  • organ transplant recipient
  • bleeding disorder
  • hypotension

Community tips

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Suggested dosage

250–1000 mg/day

General guidance — discuss specifics with a clinician.

Active medicinal compounds

Pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (e.g., pteropodine, isopteropodine), tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (e.g., rhynchophylline), triterpenes, polyphenols, quinovic acid glycosides, sterols.

Traditional use

Cat's Claw has a long history of traditional use by indigenous communities in the Amazon basin. It was traditionally used for a wide range of ailments, including inflammatory conditions, gastric ulcers, arthritis, and to support the immune system. Different tribes used various parts of the plant for different purposes, often preparing it as a decoction from the inner bark.

Safety

Safety warnings

Avoid in autoimmune disease and pregnancy.

Avoid if

  • pregnant
  • breastfeeding
  • autoimmune disease
  • organ transplant recipient
  • bleeding disorder
  • hypotension

Medication interactions

  • immunosuppressants
  • anticoagulants
  • antiplatelet drugs
  • blood pressure medications

Reported side effects

  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • stomach upset

General guidance — discuss specifics with a clinician.

Evidence ecosystem

Scientific literature, clinical guidance, government sources, ongoing research, traditional use, and lived experience — grouped by source type and quality.

Overall grade (C)

The current evidence for Cat's Claw is primarily based on traditional use, in vitro studies, and animal models. There is a lack of robust, well-designed human clinical trials to definitively establish its efficacy for any specific health condition. Therefore, any claims regarding its benefits should be considered preliminary and unproven.

Filter by source type

Randomized Human Trials(1)

Controlled human studies with random assignment.

High Quality

  • Cats and cannabinoids: past, present and future.

    Niño Cital S, Wakshlag J, Kennedy A, Tittle D, Petty M · Journal of feline medicine and surgery · 2025

    The use of cannabinoids from hemp, which is classified as a cultivar of Cannabis sativa with up to 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol by USA federal definitions, is becoming increasingly popular in veterinary medicine. Owners frequently ask about their utility in a variety of conditions, including predominantly osteoarthritis, behavioral management, cancer, dermatitis and seizure disorders. Cannabinoid clinical utility, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) in dogs, is gradually emerging, while evidence for its use in cats remains limited. Several newer publications around the pharmacokinetics of CBD and cannabidiolic acid in cats show dramatic differences in bioavailability, elucidating that not all formulations are similar regarding serum or plasma concentrations. To date, although the pharmacokinetics look favorable, there are a handful of clinical studies on feline acute/chronic pain states and fear/anxiety/stress, alongside some pre-clinical studies where there is a potential for clinical

    Randomized TrialPubMedHigh Quality

Observational Studies(1)

Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional human studies.

Moderate Quality

  • A Comprehensive Review of Herbal Supplements Used for Persistent Symptoms Attributed to Lyme Disease.

    Thompson A, Hynicka LM, Shere-Wolfe KD · Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.) · 2023

    Lyme disease is the most common, tick-borne disease in the USA. While most patients successfully recover with antibiotics, some patients experience persistent symptoms for months to years. Patients who attribute chronic symptoms to Lyme disease commonly use herbal supplements. The complexity, variability in dose and formulation, and lack of data for these herbal compounds make it difficult to assess their efficacy and safety. This review examines the evidence for the antimicrobial activity, safety, and drug-drug interactions of 18 herbal supplements that patients commonly use for treatment of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease. The research team performed a narrative review by searching the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Natural Medicines databases, and NCCIH website. The search used the keywords for 18 herbal compounds: (1) andrographis (Andrographis paniculate), (2) astragalus (Astragalus propinquus), (3) berberine, (4) cat's claw bark (Uncaria tomentosa), (5) cordyceps (Cordy

    Observational StudyPubMedLow Quality

Limitations: Key limitations include the scarcity of human clinical trials, small sample sizes in existing studies, variability in Cat's Claw preparations (e.g., different species, parts of the plant, extraction methods), and a lack of standardized active compound content. Many studies are also in vitro or animal-based, which may not translate to human effects.

This page is educational. Statements use phrases like "may support" and "has been studied for"because no remedy here is approved to cure, treat, or reverse any condition. Discussion happens on the ailment pages — community statistics here are derived from those reports. Always consult a qualified clinician.

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