Una de Gato

Uña de Gato has been used by natives of the Peruvian rainforests for centuries. The Ashanika Indians esteem uña de gato tea as a sacred beverage, using it to cleanse and strengthen the immune, intestinal and structural systems of the body.

NSP uses only the finest Uncaria tomentosa, harvested according to Peruvian government guidelines to protect the species. Though there are many different plants called cat’s claw, only this particular species contains the powerful immune-building alkaloids and terpenes shown to produce such significant health benefits. Furthermore, NSP tests all cat’s claw to ensure it is of the finest quality, containing the highest grade of active constituents.

Each capsule of Uña de Gato provides 300mg of cat’s claw, in a blend of astragalus and echinacea.

In May of 1994, the Townsend Letter For Doctors published an article noting cat’s claw’s effectiveness in treating numerous gastrointestinal disorders, including candidiasis, colitis, Crohn’s, diverticulitis, fistulas, gastritis, hemorrhoids, intestinal flora imbalances, leaky bowel syndrome, parasites, and ulcers, as well as allergies, arthritis, bursitis, cancer, environmental poisoning, HIV, menstrual problems, PMS syndrome, and rheumatism.

According to cancer researchers, cat’s claw helps to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and may play a role in cancer treatment. South American medical information clearly documents the incredible cancer-fighting effects of cat’s claw, even in advanced stages of cancer with as much as 10% of body cells metastasized. Additionally, the presence of quinovic acid glycosides in cat’s claw have been found to assist the immune system by providing protection against numerous viruses and virus-caused cancers. Cat’s claw may even help fight viral infections such as herpes simplex and herpes zoster (shingles). Furthermore, researchers at the University of Innsbruck, Austria have found that several oxindole alkaloids in cat’s claw exhibit anti-leukemic activity which may prove beneficial in the treatment of acute leukemia.

Researchers have identified 5 oxindole alkaloids in cat’s claw, including Isomer A (Isopteropodine), which have a pronounced effect on the immune system and enhance phagocytosis—the ability of white blood cells and macrophages to attack and destroy harmful microorganisms and foreign particles. Scientists in Austria have confirmed that human white blood cells and T-cells—both critical components of human immune system function—demonstrate increased activity with cat’s claw extracts standardized to contain the 5 most immunologically-active alkaloids.

Results of a controlled 6-year clinical trial on the effects of a cat’s claw root extract—formulated to have high amounts of active alkaloids—on the HIV virus, showed that participants with active AIDS symptoms experienced a reduction in those symptoms during the first year of treatment. Also, T-cell counts were found to continually increase during the first 2½ years of the study, at which time the counts leveled off. Further research is presently being conducted in Europe, according to an article in Herbs For Health.

Scientists at Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine have confirmed another cat’s claw alkaloid—rynchophylline—though not possessing immune-enhancing capabilities, does exhibit the ability to reduce and prevent platelet aggregation and thrombosis. This discovery suggests cat’s claw may help prevent stroke and reduce the risk of heart attack by decreasing blood pressure, stimulating circulation, preventing the accumulation of plaque on arterial walls, and inhibiting the formation of blood clots in the vessels of the arteries, brain and heart.

Cat’s claw also contains proanthocyanidins, powerful antioxidants which prevent free radical damage, strengthen the cardiovascular system, improve immunity, reduce inflammation and swelling, decrease the production of histamine, and protect collagen, the primary component of connective tissues, from damage.

Although European studies show uña de gato exhibits low toxicity, even in large doses, expectant mothers, lactating women, or anyone having received a transplant should avoid the use of uña de gato. Some individuals may experience diarrhea or a change in bowel consistency with use.

Astragalus helps stimulate circulation, enhances white blood cell and immune function, increases cardiac function while reducing blood pressure, and strengthens the body where there is weakness or convalescence. In China, astragalus has long been used to stimulate immunity and resistance to disease, and to fight respiratory and urinary tract infections. Chinese studies show this herb increases energy, improves digestion and reduces recovery time from chemotherapy and radiation. Astragalus also improves “wasting” conditions and is particularly beneficial for children due to its mild adaptogenic properties. Astragalus is typically recommended in virtually any disease condition involving the cardiovascular, glandular, or immune systems. Astragalus has also been shown to reduce cell damage associated with heart disease caused by the coxsackie virus. Furthermore, according to an article published in Health News & Review, researchers at the University of Texas at Houston have discovered that T-cells, extracted from individuals with cancer suffering from weakened T-cell activity, displayed greater aggressive activity against disease once incubated with astragalus. In fact, the T-cells exposed to astragalus actually exhibited more activity than the healthy controls.

Echinacea is considered one of the best-known and extremely safe immune strengtheners available. Echinacea has been shown to fight bronchitis, colds, flu, infection, strep throat, and other immune and respiratory problems. Taking echinacea at the first sign of cold or flu can arrest the problem and shorten the duration of symptoms. Echinacea is also a blood and lymph cleanser and has been shown to be quite effective against Streptococcus—a genus of bacteria which can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory and urinary tract infections, among others—as well as blood poisoning, chronic infections, fungal problems, gingivitis, inflammatory skin conditions, laryngitis, pyorrhea, sinusitis, swollen glands, tonsillitis, and postviral fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Echinacea is also being studied as a possible treatment for HIV and AIDS.