Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody climbing vine native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, particularly the Amazon region. Its distinctive curved thorns resemble a cat’s claw, giving the plant its familiar English name.
The bark of Cat’s Claw has a long history of traditional use among Indigenous communities of the Amazon. Today, the plant is also widely studied for its distinctive phytochemistry, including naturally occurring alkaloids, polyphenols, and other plant compounds.
Cat’s Claw is not a traditional Chinese herb and is not part of the classical Chinese materia medica. It may, however, be familiar to customers who use both Chinese and Western or South American herbs.
Cat’s Claw is a large tropical vine belonging to the Rubiaceae family. The botanical name most commonly associated with herbal Cat’s Claw is Uncaria tomentosa.
The vine can climb through rainforest vegetation using curved, hook-like thorns located near its leaves. These hooks are responsible for the common name “Cat’s Claw.”
The bark is the plant material most commonly encountered in commercial herbal preparations. It may be sold as cut bark, powdered bark, extracts, capsules, or liquid preparations.
| Common Name | Cat’s Claw |
| Botanical Name | Uncaria tomentosa |
| Plant Family | Rubiaceae |
| Commonly Used Part | Bark |
| Native Region | Central and South America, including the Amazon region |
| Plant Type | Woody climbing vine |
| Common Forms | Cut bark, bark powder, extracts, capsules, and liquid preparations |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine Herb? | No |
The name comes directly from the plant’s appearance. Uncaria tomentosa develops curved thorns that resemble the claws of a cat.
These hook-like structures help the vine climb surrounding rainforest vegetation as it grows toward available light.
The botanical genus name Uncaria also refers to the hook-like character of plants within the genus.
Cat’s Claw has a long ethnobotanical history in the Amazon region, particularly in Peru. Various Indigenous communities have traditionally prepared the vine for a variety of cultural and herbal purposes.
The Asháninka people of Peru are especially associated with the traditional history of Uncaria tomentosa.
Traditional preparation has commonly involved making a decoction by simmering plant material in water.
Historical and ethnobotanical information is provided to explain how the plant has been used within traditional cultures. Traditional use does not establish that Cat’s Claw prevents, treats, or cures a disease.
Despite the popularity of Cat’s Claw among people interested in Chinese and Western herbalism, Uncaria tomentosa is not a classical Traditional Chinese Medicine herb.
This distinction is especially important because the genus Uncaria includes multiple species.
Chinese herbalism uses plants from the Uncaria genus, including species associated with the Chinese herb Gou Teng. These should not automatically be considered interchangeable with Amazonian Cat’s Claw.
Botanical identification is therefore more reliable than selecting an herb based only upon a common name.
Common herbal names can sometimes be confusing because one common name may be applied to different plants.
When purchasing Cat’s Claw, look specifically for:
Using the botanical name provides a more precise way to identify the plant than relying on “Cat’s Claw” alone.
Learn more on our Name That Herb page and our article about the importance of botanical names when identifying herbs .
Dried Cat’s Claw bark generally has an earthy, woody appearance. Depending upon how it has been processed, it may be sold in irregular pieces, cut-and-sifted form, or as a finely ground powder.
Natural variation in color and appearance can occur between harvests and suppliers. Growing location, maturity, drying, storage, and processing can all influence the appearance of botanical materials.
The best form depends primarily upon how you intend to prepare the herb.
| Form | What It Is | Common Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Cut Bark | Dried bark cut into smaller pieces | Traditionally simmered as a decoction |
| Bark Powder | Dried bark milled into a fine powder | Used according to product directions |
| Extract Powder | An extracted and concentrated preparation | Follow the concentration and serving information for the specific extract |
| Capsules | Powder or extract placed in capsules | Follow the manufacturer’s label |
| Liquid Extract | A liquid botanical preparation | Follow the manufacturer’s directions |
Ground bark and concentrated extract powder are not necessarily equivalent. Always check the product description before determining how a particular Cat’s Claw preparation should be used.
One of the traditional methods of preparing Cat’s Claw bark is as a decoction.
A decoction differs from an ordinary cup of tea because woody plant materials such as bark and roots are generally simmered rather than simply steeped briefly in hot water.
Preparation methods can vary according to the cut, concentration, and specific product. For this reason, follow the directions supplied with the Cat’s Claw product you purchase.
For general information about working with bulk botanicals, visit our How to Use Bulk Herbs guide.
For customers who purchase dried bark, a basic traditional-style preparation involves simmering the bark in water rather than treating it like a quick-steeping tea.
General preparation:
Because botanical products vary in cut and concentration, product-specific instructions should take precedence over general preparation information.
Uncaria tomentosa contains numerous naturally occurring plant compounds that have attracted scientific interest.
Researchers have identified several classes of constituents, including:
One particularly interesting area of research involves the plant’s oxindole alkaloids. Researchers have investigated both pentacyclic and tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids found in Uncaria tomentosa.
The chemical composition of an herb can vary according to genetics, growing conditions, harvest, plant part, processing, and extraction method.
Cat’s Claw has been investigated in laboratory, animal, chemical, and human research. The scientific literature includes research involving the whole plant, particular extracts, and isolated constituents.
Research areas include:
These areas describe what scientists are investigating. They should not be interpreted to mean that a Cat’s Claw dietary supplement has been proven to prevent or treat inflammatory, immune, infectious, digestive, joint, neurological, or other diseases.
Research performed with isolated compounds or specialized extracts also cannot automatically be applied to ordinary Cat’s Claw bark, tea, powder, or a different commercial extract.
Customers interested in exploring the scientific literature can begin with these PubMed searches:
Research Note: Research involving Uncaria tomentosa, specialized extracts, isolated constituents, laboratory models, animals, or particular research preparations does not establish that a Cat’s Claw product sold by 1st Chinese Herbs will produce the same effects. Research links are provided for educational purposes and are not product claims.
Because Cat’s Claw is a rainforest vine, sourcing and plant identification are important considerations when purchasing the herb.
Look for clear supplier information concerning botanical identity, plant part, country or region of origin when available, and appropriate quality testing.
Responsible harvesting practices are also important for botanicals collected from wild or semi-wild environments.
When comparing Cat’s Claw products, consider:
Natural does not automatically mean appropriate for every person. Cat’s Claw contains biologically active plant constituents and deserves the same thoughtful approach as other botanical supplements.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using Cat’s Claw if you:
If you are being treated for an infection or another medical condition, do not replace prescribed medication with Cat’s Claw unless your healthcare professional specifically directs you to do so.
Stop using an herbal product and seek appropriate medical advice if you experience an unexpected or allergic reaction.
Cat’s Claw is the common name for a climbing rainforest vine. The species most commonly associated with herbal Cat’s Claw is Uncaria tomentosa.
The plant develops distinctive curved thorns that resemble a cat’s claws. These hooks help the vine climb surrounding vegetation.
The bark is one of the plant parts commonly found in commercial herbal preparations. Always check the individual product label to confirm the botanical identity and plant part.
No. Uncaria tomentosa is a Central and South American botanical and is not a classical herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Other species within the Uncaria genus are used in Chinese herbalism, so botanical names are important.
Not necessarily. Bark powder may simply be dried Cat’s Claw bark ground into a fine powder. An extract is produced using an extraction process and may be concentrated. Check the individual product information before use.
Dried Cat’s Claw bark has traditionally been prepared as a decoction, which generally involves simmering woody plant material in water. Follow the preparation instructions provided with your specific product.
Researchers have investigated Uncaria tomentosa and its constituents in relation to immune-system signaling and other biological processes. This research should not be interpreted as proof that a particular Cat’s Claw product “boosts” the immune system or treats an immune-related condition.
Inflammatory signaling is one area studied in laboratory and other experimental research involving Uncaria tomentosa and its constituents. These studies do not establish that a commercial Cat’s Claw product treats inflammatory diseases.
Laboratory research may investigate botanical compounds against microorganisms or examine other biological mechanisms. Such research does not establish that Cat’s Claw can prevent or treat viral, fungal, bacterial, or other infections in people.
Potential herb-drug interactions are an important consideration. If you take prescription medications, particularly immunosuppressive, blood-pressure, anticoagulant, or antiplatelet medications, consult your physician or pharmacist before using Cat’s Claw.
Do not assume Cat’s Claw is compatible with every antibiotic or treatment plan. If you are taking antibiotics or being treated for an infection, ask your physician or pharmacist before adding Cat’s Claw or another botanical supplement.
Cat’s Claw is an interesting botanical for customers exploring the traditional herbs of the Amazon. Its unusual climbing habit, distinctive hook-like thorns, long ethnobotanical history, and complex phytochemistry have all contributed to continued interest in Uncaria tomentosa.
When selecting Cat’s Claw, start with the botanical name. Then compare the plant part, form, concentration, sourcing information, and quality information for the particular product you are considering.
Shop Cat’s Claw by form and choose the preparation that best fits how you plan to use the herb.
Historical and traditional-use information on this page is provided for educational purposes. Traditional use does not establish the safety or effectiveness of an herb for a particular medical condition.
References to laboratory research, phytochemistry, biological pathways, or isolated plant constituents describe areas of scientific investigation. They should not be interpreted as claims that a Cat’s Claw product has been proven to produce the same effects in people.
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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