Cats Claw

Cats Claw

This uniquely named herb is a tropical vine taken from the rainforests of South America and Asia. If you’re wondering how it got such an unusual name, cat’s claw refers to the small thorns that are located at the base of the plant’s leaves. They resemble a cat’s claw-mark and help the vine fuse onto nearby trees.

These can grow as high as 100 feet long up a tree’s trunk. It is an immune system booster and thought to be a powerful antioxidant that fights off viruses. Some people maintain the cat’s claw is useful as a herbal flush for cleaning out the intestines.

Both the root and bark of the plant are used for medicinal purposes and can be boiled in water to make a soothing tea. It is popular among those who suffer from arthritis, rheumatism and ulcers and therefore is well known throughout many parts of the world as an anti-inflammatory but these herbal supplements are also sometimes taken as a flu remedy.