Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest and has been used in traditional medicine by indigenous peoples of South America for centuries. Its use for digestive complaints, including colitis and other forms of gastrointestinal inflammation, is based primarily on this history of traditional use. Folk remedies typically use the bark or root to make teas or tinctures believed to alleviate swelling, pain, and digestive discomfort.

Some preclinical research has investigated the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of cat's claw extracts, which may be relevant to inflammatory bowel conditions like colitis. Laboratory and animal studies have demonstrated that cat’s claw contains compounds such as oxindole alkaloids, flavonoids, and quinovic acid glycosides, which show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. These findings provide a theoretical basis for potential benefits in inflammatory conditions. However, rigorous human clinical trials specifically examining the efficacy of cat’s claw for colitis are lacking. The few small-scale studies available focus on its effects on immune modulation or in general inflammatory settings, not specifically in ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

In summary, the use of cat’s claw for colitis is based mostly on traditional medicine practices, with some weak scientific support from preclinical studies. There is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to firmly endorse its use for colitis, and more research is needed to establish its efficacy and safety for this specific condition.

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