Cat's Claw / Pau d'Arco

Cat's Claw is also known by the names Una de Gato, Samento, Chacruk, Jipotatsa, Rangayo, and Garabato Amarillo. It's also called "Opener of the Way" because of its well-known cleansing properties. Native to South America, Cat's Claw has claw-like spines on its stems, hence the name. It is a giant woody vine that can grow over 100 feet. The root and bark of Cat's Claw is used by the indigenous peoples of the Rainforest for birth control, arthritic conditions, asthma, cancer, fevers, ulcers, menstrual regulation, general weakness, wounds, detoxification, and rejuvenation. In most areas, only the inner bark of the plant is harvested, so that the root can be left to regenerate for future harvesting. The inner bark provides all of the beneficial alkaloids found in this medicinal plant. Cat's Claw is ranked highly with other important immune-building herbs, including Echinacea, Goldenseal, Pau D'Arco, Garlic, and Siberian Ginseng. Cat's Claw contains powerful antioxidants, such as proanthocyanidins, which help fight against free radical damage, strengthen the cardiovascular and immune systems, protect collagen, and reduce swelling and inflammation. Cat's Claw is considered beneficial not only for the immune system, but for the digestive and structural systems as well. Cats Claw helps to activate macrophages, lymphocytes and leukocytes. It also inhibits blood platelet aggregation. Research on this plant is very recent, but more needs to be done. The common name Cat's Claw also includes the species Uncaria guianensis, which is used interchangeably with Uncaria tomentosa.

Pau D'Arco is also known by the names Bow Wood, Taheebo, and LaPacho. Pau D'Arco is native to South America, and comes from the bark of trees that grow in Brazil, Argentina and other tropical regions. Various related species of Pau D'Arco trees grow in the rain forests throughout Latin America. Native peoples have reportedly used Pau D'Arco bark to treat cancer, lupus, infectious diseases, wounds, and many other health conditions. Caribbean folk healers use the leaf of this tree, in addition to the bark, for the treatment of backache, toothache, sexually transmitted diseases, and as an aphrodisiac. Pau D'Arco has powerful anti-fungal and immune building properties. Pau D'Arco is a rich source of iron, which contributes to the elimination of wastes from the body and the assimilation of nutrients. Lapachol and beta-lapachone are the two primary active compounds in Pau D'Arco. According to laboratory tests, both have anti-fungal properties as potent or more so than ketaconazole, a commonly prescribed anti-fungal drug. Because the naphthaquinone active constituents are not water soluble, a tea made from Pau D'Arco bark is ineffective. But the powdered herb has been used successfully to treat immune deficiency disorders, cardiovascular problems, and may be used to reduce blood pressure. Pau D'Arco is also considered a good blood cleanser and detoxifier. It may be used safely to treat all types of infections, stimulate urine flow, reduce fevers, and aid digestion. Pau D'Arco contains properties that are beneficial in relieving inflammation and pain related to bowel problems, ulcers, arthritis and rheumatism.