Evidence supporting the use of: Uncaria
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Synopsis

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

Uncaria, most commonly referring to species such as Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw) and Uncaria rhynchophylla, has a traditional history of use in managing inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in South American and Chinese herbal medicine. In traditional Peruvian medicine, cat’s claw is employed for its purported anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties, believed to help alleviate joint pain and swelling associated with RA. Some traditional Chinese medicine formulas also include Uncaria species for similar purposes.

Scientific studies investigating Uncaria’s efficacy for RA are limited but suggest potential mechanisms such as inhibition of TNF-α and reduction of inflammatory cytokines. Small-scale clinical trials and in vitro studies have indicated modest benefits in reducing RA symptoms and markers of inflammation; however, most evidence remains preliminary, with few large, well-designed randomized controlled trials. The overall strength of the scientific evidence is low, and most clinical recommendations are still based on ethnopharmacological and traditional knowledge rather than robust clinical validation.

In summary, Uncaria’s use in RA is primarily based on traditional practices, with limited scientific support that is not yet sufficient to fully justify its efficacy or safety for this condition.

More about Uncaria
More about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis

adrenal cortex
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
borage oil
celery
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fisetin
fish protein
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
ginger
green-lipped mussel
krill oil
luteolin
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Myristoleate
omega-3 fatty acids
phospholipids
resveratrol
rose hips
slippery elm bark
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Urolithin A
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watercress
white willow
alpinia galangal
smilax
Fumaria parviflora
Szechuan lovage
amber
teasel
guelder rose
Gentiana macrophylla
Abies spectabilis
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
clematis
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
Aralia
Akebia
antler
apigenin
Abrus
andrographolide
amentoflavone
alpha-lipoic acid
anthocyanidins
ampelopsin
Actaea spicata
arjunic acid
apocynin
arctiin
astragalin
Boswellic Acid
baicalein
bogbean
Boswellia
Black willow
barbasco
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
baicalin
Black Hellebore
bee venom
Bergenia
cod liver oil
cortisol
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cyanidin
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
chuchuhuasi
Cetylated Fatty Acids
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
evening primrose oil
fat liver oil
fructoborate
Flemingia philippinensis
frankincense
flavanols
flavones
ginkgetin
Gypenoside
horse gram
Hyperoside
Hellebore
hydroxytyrosol
Harpagoside
Jatropha macrantha
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mangiferin
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Nobiletin
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polyunsaturated fat
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Qin Jiao
Silkmoth
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Schizochytrium
Salicin
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Salvianolic acid
Sinomenium acutum
Semecarpus anacardium
saponins
Shilajit
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
Taxillus chinensis
Tanshinone
Uncaria
Ursolic Acid
Withanolides

Products containing Uncaria

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.