Cats Claw Herb Side Effects

Cat's claw is a vine that is native to certain tropical areas of Central America, South America and the Amazon rain forest. The root and bark have been used for hundreds of years to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as stomach ulcers, dysentery, arthritis, inflammation, fevers, as well as birth control, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Not all of the herb's side effects have been thoroughly studied, according to the UMMC, but several effects are known to occur.

General Side Effects

• A few of the general side effects that have been reported by people using cat's claw include nausea, dizziness and diarrhea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The diarrhea is often mild and typically disappears with continued use.

Pregnancy Side Effects

• Pregnant women and nursing women should not take cat's claw as it may cause a miscarriage, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The herb may also prevent women from getting pregnant.

Immune System Side Effects

• This herb is said to affect the immune system by stimulating it. Because of this, those with skin grafts, those who are receiving organ transplants, or people who suffer from autoimmune diseases or tuberculosis should avoid cat's claw, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.