6 health benefits of cat’s claw and tips on how to consume it

Cat’s claw is a plant famous for its anti-inflammatory action. To learn more about it, nutritionist Dr. Paula Saldanha Tschinkel (CRN3 – 18120), told how to identify the plant, what its benefits are and how to consume it correctly. Follow up!

what is cat claw

According to Dr. Paula Saldanha Tschinkel, the “cat’s claw is a plant of popular knowledge in which its scientific name is Uncaria tomentosa. It is recognized as a herbal medicine by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) and indicated for its anti-inflammatory benefits”.

“To identify the species, just check if the cat’s claw has yellow flowers and if it has an approximate size of up to 5 meters in height. Cat’s claw is widely used by indigenous peoples in the treatment of abscesses, asthma, arthritis, urinary inflammation and disease prevention”, added the nutritionist.

6 benefits of cat’s claw to keep the body fortified

The consumption of this herbal medicine goes beyond anti-inflammatory actions. Therefore, see below explanation by Dr. Paula Saldanha on the health benefits of consuming this plant:

1. Antioxidant action: “Cat’s claw is rich in flavonoids which are substances with antioxidant functions. They work by preventing the action of free radicals and preventing the aging of cells and even some mutations that can develop cancer.”
2. Anti-inflammatory action: “As it is considered a phytotherapic, cat’s claw is great for treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as it works together with flavonoids and their antioxidant properties, reducing inflammation in the body.”
3. Immunostimulant: “It is a plant that collaborates very well with the stimulus of our immune system due to the alkaloids present in its composition that help the body’s defense cells”.
4. Blood pressure reduction: “Because of the presence of tetracyclic and indole alkaloids, it helps to reduce blood pressure as they are dilating vessels. Cat’s claw can help with high blood pressure.”
5. Beneficial action on autoimmune cells: “As cat’s claw has substances that help autoimmune cells, it ends up helping to strengthen the body against some diseases, for example, the viral disease herpes”.
6. Diuretic properties: “The plant collaborates with the general cleansing of the organism through its diuretic properties that help to hydrate and prevent the accumulation of liquids throughout the body, reducing swelling and eliminating toxins and impurities from the human body”.

Cat’s claw is really full of properties and substance of great benefit to the body. Want to learn a tea recipe with the bark of this plant? See all the steps in the next topic.

How to make cat’s claw tea

Nothing better than a good tea to enjoy a nice moment and bring benefits to the body, isn’t it? Check below a simple and quick tea recipe with this plant to boost your health!

1. In a container, place 1 tablespoon of cat’s claw bark (approximately 20g);
2. Add 4 cups of water;
3. Simmer for 5 minutes;
4. Turn off the fire, muffle and drink the tea warm.

Did you like the cat’s claw tea recipe? In addition to being beneficial for health, it’s always good to start or end the day with a cup of tea, right? In the next topic, find out what are the precautions and contraindications of using this plant.

Contraindications and care for cat’s claw

The nutritionist explained that the plant can interact with medications that have some compounds, such as estrogens, warfarin, theophylline, anticoagulants and ginger. Therefore, if you use any medication, you need to pay attention to its composition so that you can consume the tea with peace of mind. In addition, it is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women.

Did you like to know better the action of cat’s claw in the body? Take the opportunity to have your tea and enjoy the day with fortified health! Also know the powerful action of ginger tea and improve your body’s health more and more. You deserve!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.