The Effects of Samento

Samento is a popular vine that has been used for centuries by South American people for its supposed medicinal benefits. While much is still unknown about Samento, medical professionals have documented a number of medicinal uses and side effects. Further research is necessary to determine whether the vine is effective in treating any medical conditions.

Samento and Cat's Claw

• Samento, also commonly known as Cat's Claw, is an extremely aggressive vine native to the tropical Americas. It is long, green, and can be easily identified by its bright yellow flowers that blossom in the spring. Samento can completely overwhelm surrounding plants and even trees if not controlled. Because of its dominating nature, many jurisdictions such as Queensland in Australia have declared it a pest.

Samento and Lyme Disease

• Lyme disease is a treatable disease spread by mites and ticks. Many victims are not aware that they have it until the disease's trademark bull's-eye rash appears on the area of infection. Some experts suspect that as many as one out of every 15 Americans has Lyme disease. Samento has been used to help treat Lyme disease on the theory that it strengthens the immune system and blocks deadly toxins released by infections. Samento contains many of the same ingredients found in antibiotics used to treat Lyme disease.

Other Samento Uses

• South Americans have been using Samento for centuries for general disease prevention. Others have used Samento to treat a number of diseases including HIV, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, cancer and arthritis. Samento has even been used as a method to abort pregnancy. Currently, no solid science backs up the efficacy of Samento on any of these conditions, according to NCCAM. However, some medical proof from small-scale studies suggests that Samento may be useful for treating arthritis.

Side Effects

• Samento is popular because it has little or no side effects. Rarely, people have reported cases of headaches, nausea and dizziness. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid taking Samento at all costs due to its abortive nature. Samento should also be avoided during or after surgeries because it can drastically affect blood pressure. While Samento has been used to treat HIV, people with conditions that affect the immune system should consult a physician before using it.