| |
|
|
Una de Gato -- Herbal Gift from
the Rainforest
by Marian Brown
Yet
again the Peruvian Rainforest is providing us
with a remarkable healing herb. Used for
generations by the Ashanica Indians,
Una de Gato (Cat's Claw)
has recently taken center stage in the Western
herbal marketplace.
In the
early 1970's, research first began on Una de
Gato after amazing stories of cancer recovery
surfaced. Mr. Klaus Keplinger, an Austrian,
spearheaded the research, and in 1989 Mr.
Keplinger filed the first US Patents on
alkaloids isolated from Una de Gato.
Alkaloids are the active organic compounds found
in herbs/plants. It is from alkaloids that
plants derive there potent power. It is also
alkaloids that are the focus of the majority of
pharmaceutical research.
Six
oxindole alkaloids were prevalent in Una de Gato
bark. These alkaloids are what seem to give Una
de Gato its unique healing benefits and the
ability to enhance the immune system and
gastro-intestinal tract. Preliminary studies
have shown these alkaloids to be anti-viral,
anti-inflammatory, immuno-stimulating, and act
as antioxidants. Rynchophylline, one known
alkaloid identified in Una de Gato, has the
potential for reducing the occurrence, even
preventing, strokes and heart attacks.
Rynchophylline reduces the build up of platelets
(plaque) in the arteries, thus reducing clot
formation. Studies from the Shanghai College of
Traditional Medicine have demonstrated this
ability, and also have concluded that it may be
helpful in lowering blood pressure and
increasing circulation.
|
|
|
Other
alkaloids identified possess remarkable healing
potential also. Phil Steinberg, Nutritionist, author,
and editor Cat's Claw News, reported in The
Herb Quarterly, (Winter, 1994) that according to
Keplinger's research, four of the alkaloids have been
shown to have a pronounced enhancement effect on
phagocytosis (the ability of the white blood cells and
marophages to attack, engulf and digest harmful
organisms, foreign matter, and debris). This research
sparks much attention on Una de Gato's possible ability
to cure/heal AIDS, cancer, and a myriad of other
diseases.
|
|
|
|
|
The World Preservation Society
book, Powerful and Unusual Herbs from the
Amazon and China, stated, "Una de Gato from
the Peruvian rainforest is a favorite for
stimulating the immune system. Worldwide
research done on this powerful herb has led
scientists to patent many of the single
chemicals found in it for use in healing cancer,
arthritis, AIDS, and other diseases." The
society also points out that "traditional wisdom
shows that using the whole plant can be far more
powerful than any one isolated ingredient."
The Peruvians have
used the Una de Gato as a healing tonic for
centuries, trusting in its cleansing abilities.
Dr. Brent Davis has been working with Una de
Gato in the United States since 1988. He has
nicknamed it "The Opener of the Way". Una de
Gato has a profound ability to cleanse the
intestinal tract and provide relief from
problems in the stomach and bowels. Patients
with colitis, gastritis, Crohn's disease, even
ulcers have benefited from Una de Gato.
Dr. Satya Ambrose,
ND and co-founder of the Oregon College Of
Oriental Medicine, was quoted in Cat's Claw
News, as seeing significant improvement in
patients suffering from crohn's disease, ulcers,
asthma, arthritis, iritis, shingles, dysbiosis,
and chronic fatigue syndrome. Una de Gato is
also reported by health practitioners to be
beneficial in relieving side-effects from
radiation and chemotherapy treatment.
Because of its
wide range of healing
potentials, Una de Gato
is gaining popularity at
a tremendous pace. But
like the very
rainforests that provide
its home, Una de Gato
faces the threat of
destruction and
extinction. According to
Cat's Claw News,
this could become
reality within the next
five years if care is
not taken. Improper and
over harvesting the
rainforest resources are
a serious problem. The
Peruvian government has
enacted laws to promote
the productive harvest
of Una de Gato and
protect the plant
itself. The government
is hoping to encourage
harvesting of crops such
as Una de Gato over drug
crops such as cocoa
reported the Inter Press
Service on January 16,
of this year.
The government is
also implementing
stronger enforcement of
its laws banning the
extraction or harvesting
of the root of the
plant.
Una de Gato is a
woody vine that grows up
trees in the Highlands
of Peru. It is called
Cat's Claw because of
its thorns, which
resemble a cat's claw
grasping the tree. It
may take twenty years to
mature and climb over
100 feet. When
purchasing Una de Gato,
be sure the supply was
from the harvest of the
bark only. There have
been no studies finding
the root superior to the
bark . In fact,
according to the
Peruvian government, the
inner bark contains all
the components as the
root, and can regrow as
long as the root is not
disturbed.
It is also
important to purchase
Uncaria tomentosa. This
is the true Una de Gato.
Other herbs are
informally called cat's
claw and there is a
version of Una de Gato
from the lowlands of
Peru, Uncaria guianensis.
It does not contain the
same alkaloids as
Uncaria tomentosa.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
