Use of Cat's Claw in Cancer Treatments

The natural cancer healing ability from Peru: Cat's Claw. In today's world you are faced with many choices when considering options for cancer treatment. When making these important decisions Cat's Claw should top your list as the most important one due to its many years of history as a natural cure for a multitude of ailments including cancer and also limiting the side effects of chemotherapy.

The Rain Forest Cancer Cure

• Cat's Claw is a large vine indigenous to the Amazon Rain Forest of Peru in South America and is believed to be an effective cancer treatment. All along the surface of the vine are curved thorns, resembling the shape of a cat's claw; this is what gives the herb its name. Cat's Claw has long been known as a remedy from folk medicine among the native people of the area for its ability to combat cancer. The most advantageous and potent part of the vine is the reddish brown inner bark. Touted as a cure for a plethora of ailments, it is gaining greater recognition across the world, for its treatment of cancer. As an accepted form of cancer treatment, Cat's Claw is as controversial as any other treatment that involves the use of natural or non-synthesized products. As these herbal remedies are rapidly increasing in popularity, Cat's Claw may be the alternative you are searching for options outside of contemporary medical practices.

Originally Researched in 1974

• The indigenous people of the Amazon region have known about the healing properties of Cat's Claw and have utilized its strong medicinal properties for many years. The worldwide medical community first took a serious look at it for the possibility of healing patients stricken with cancer in 1974. Steven Foster wrote in the May 1996 issue of Better Nutrition about the history of research conducted on Cat's Claw:
  "In 1974, a research group in London conducted one of the first chemical studies on cat's claw. Looking at both South American species, they found a number of major alkaloids from the stems and leaves of both species. During the same time period, an Italian research group also isolated various compounds from cat's claw. They found some of the same alkaloids as did the London group, along with an alkaloid identified as uncarine F. Interested in the fact that the plant was widely used as a folk cancer remedy in the Amazon, they conducted preliminary screening and found that proanthocyanidins in the plant may be responsible for some of the claimed anti-tumor activity." (50)

Popularity

• Although scientific research began as early as 1974 it did not gain worldwide acclaim until 1990 with the publishing of the book: Witch Doctor's Apprentice: Hunting for Medicinal Plants in the Amazon (1990, Third Edition, Citadel Press, New York) by Nicole Maxwell. Before Maxwell's book took Cat's Claw into public awareness it was regarded as just some other obscure Amazonian plant, periodically exciting the interests of the scientific community. In her book, she revealed that the National Cancer Institute had unearthed results in the 1970s that looked promising. The funding for that program ended in 1980, for a hiatus before commencing again in the mid-1980s. Those reports began fueling further scientific research on the plant group with much of the attention coming from Germany, Austria and Italy.

Availability

• Since that time Cat's Claw has become widely available as an herbal supplement in natural and health food stores throughout the world. It is also readily available from your local alternative health care provider and vitamin supplier. This natural cancer treatment can be found in capsule form and in tea form, as well. Some mild side effects have been reported, but tend to alleviate shortly after.

Today's Pespective: Cancer, Cat's Claw and You

• The use of cat's claw in cancer treatments is still under study at major universities, and with other research professionals, as well. Alternative health and healing journals and magazines, both in print and on the Internet, cite numerous successful cases concerning people that have suffered from tumors and other forms of cancer, having no evidence of its presence any longer, following cat's claw treatments.
  If you are searching for alternative means of cancer treatments, you may find that the potential healing properties of Cat's Claw to be the answer to your quest.