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.

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. monstrated this ability, and also have concluded that it may be helpful in lowering blood pressure and increasing circulation.

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 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.

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