Evidence supporting the use of: Cat's claw
For the health condition: Gonorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
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Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of Central and South America. Its use as a medicinal plant is deeply rooted in the traditional healing practices of indigenous peoples in these regions. Historically, cat's claw has been used for a variety of ailments, including inflammation, digestive issues, and infections. There are ethnobotanical records indicating that indigenous groups have employed cat's claw in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, which may include gonorrhea, although specific documentation directly linking cat's claw to gonorrhea is limited and sometimes anecdotal. The plant is believed to possess antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, which might explain its traditional use for infections. However, scientific studies on cat's claw have largely focused on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and there is a lack of robust clinical evidence supporting its efficacy specifically for treating gonorrhea. The antimicrobial activity observed in some in vitro studies does not directly translate to effectiveness against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhea, in humans. Therefore, while its use is rooted in tradition, current scientific validation for cat's claw in the treatment of gonorrhea is minimal, and the strength of evidence supporting its use for this particular condition is low.

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