Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Uncaria is a genus of plants commonly used in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asia. The most well-known species are Uncaria rhynchophylla and Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw). In traditional Chinese medicine, Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gou Teng) is used as a calming agent, often prescribed for symptoms associated with anxiety such as restlessness, insomnia, and irritability. The traditional rationale centers around its purported ability to "extinguish wind" and "calm the liver," terms which refer to reducing hyperactivity and agitation in TCM theory.

However, scientific evidence supporting the use of Uncaria species for anxiety is limited and preliminary. Some animal studies suggest neuroprotective and sedative effects, potentially attributed to certain alkaloids found in the plant, but these studies are not directly focused on anxiety or conducted in humans. There are no robust clinical trials confirming efficacy or safety for anxiety treatment in humans. As a result, while Uncaria is used traditionally for symptoms overlapping with anxiety, scientific validation is minimal, and its use for anxiety remains primarily rooted in traditional practices rather than modern evidence-based medicine.

More about Uncaria (unspecified)
More about Anxiety

Other ingredients used for Anxiety

Other health conditions supported by Uncaria (unspecified)

Products containing Uncaria (unspecified)