(NaturalNews) There is much talk about cat's claw and its healing properties used for the treatment of cancer, but cat's claw can be used in the treatment of many illnesses. It is not just for cancer, but it is also used in the treatment of asthma, arthritis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, inflammations of the urinary track, kidney detox, healing deep wounds and bone pain. It is also used since the 1990's for the treatment of cancer, ulcers, chronic inflammations, and viral diseases (such as herpes).
Cat's Claw is a plant of the Amazon rain forest. There are two main species and they are Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis. In the US, you see mainly Uncaria tomentosa and in Europe you will see the Uncaria guianensis. The medicine is derived from the bark and the root of the plant. Several of the Mexican species have toxic properties. Cat's foot is not the same thing as cat's claw.
Cat's Claw and Alzheimer's Disease:
There are new studies being done on rats for the use of cat's claw on Alzheimer's Disease. The plant improves the immune system and prevents the deposit of beta-amyloid plagues on the brain. The tests showed that the mixture of cat's claw, rosemary and gotu kola worked better than cat's claw alone. The researchers are hoping to begin trials on humans in the near future, but the results on rats show promise for the prevention of Alzheimer's Disease.
Dosage for Cat's Claw:
Asthma - You must make a cat's claw tonic. Take 1/2 liter of water and 100 grams of cat's claw roots and bring to boil. Drink this water for one month.
Brain tumors - Place 250 ml of water and 1 tsp of cat's claw powder in a pan and bring to boil. Continue to boil for thirty minutes. Strain this mixture and drink the liquid. You must do this for six months before seeing a considerable improvement. This recipe can also be used for other forms of cancer also, except Leukemia which has reports of complications using Cat's Claw.
Note: It should be noted that it is suggested to use this in conjunction with other remedies, such as Nigella Sativa.
Intestinal disorders such as dysentery, ulcers and diverticulosis - Place one cup of water and 1 tablespoon of cat's claw powder and boil for 10-15 minutes. Strain the tea and drink three times a day.
Mumps - You must take 60mg of the extract, divided in three equal doses for ten days.
Osteoarthritis of the knee - You must take 100mg of cat's claw extract daily.
Rheumatoid arthritis - You must take 60mg per day. Divide the dose into three equal doses. If using the dried herbs, then take 100mg in vegetarian capsules. Expect results after 5 months.
Note: Please make sure the extract you are using contains no extra additives such as tetra cyclic oxindole alkaloids. These chemicals work against the natural compounds of cat's claw in the preventing of pain for rheumatoid arthritis.
Recipes Using Cat's Claw:
Tincture: Place 8 ounces of ground cat's claw along with 5 cups of vodka in a sealed jar and place the jar in a warm place. After three weeks, strain the liquor through some cheesecloth. This recipe may be reduced in half. This tincture is good for allergies and arthritis. Use 5 drops of the tincture, three times a day and increase slowly as needed. Never use more than 15 drops at a time.
Ointment: Take one cup of water and 2 teaspoon of the cat's claw powder. Bring it to boil and keep boiling until it turns brown. Strain the liquid and add an equal amount of coconut oil or virgin olive oil (not extra virgin). Place it back on the stove and heat again over medium heat. Boil it until it quits bubbling rapidly and bubbles no longer appear on the oil. Use this as an ointment for Herpes and any type of viral infections. Also good for pain of arthritis or cancer.
Cream: Use the same recipe above except add in some beeswax. For every cup of oil add in 1/2 ounce of beeswax. Heat over the flame and stir until thick and creamy. You could use cocoa butter instead of beeswax. The cream may be used as the ointment, directly on the skin.
Warnings About Using Cat's Claw:
Taking cat's claw for a short time has shown very little side effects. There could be headaches, dizziness and vomiting in some cases.
People who are pregnant, breast-feeding and have auto-immune diseases (MS, Lupus, HIV, Tuberculosis) should not take cat's claw.
Special Note: Cat's claw might make patients with Leukemia worst. If you have Leukemia, seek an alternative therapy such as Nigella Sativa.
Barbi Trejo is a natural hygiene foodist and loves the medicine of the earth. After being diagnosed with MS and early onset dementia last year, she cured herself using herbs and juicing from the earth. She now spends her time helping others. Barbi Trejo lives in Jordan with her cat, Baby. Barbi is writes for Suite101, Break Studios and Associated Content. She moderates four forums and six blogs in her spare time. Barbi has just released her first eBook entitled, "Everything You Would Ever Want to Know About Black Seeds (Nigella sativa) and more. It can be seen at http://nigellasativa.weebly.com Barbi is also a Twitter Manager for many of the top Natural Health Writers here on Natural News.com and Corporations. To learn more about how Twitter can benefit you, contact her at email@example.com and make sure to put Twitter as the reason for the email.