Cat’s claw is a perennial tropical vine that is native to the jungles of
South and Central America, including Guatemala, Peru, Venezuela and
Trinidad. It is so-named because the woody vine features long, sharp
thorns that resemble a cat’s claw. Other common names for the herb
include uña de gato, vilcacora, pot hook and hawk's claw.
For more than 2,000 years, the Shipibo, Conibo and Asháninka tribes of
Peru have used cat’s claw, with the latter controlling the largest share
of the world’s supply. Although cat’s claw is generally considered safe,
people undergoing immunosupressive therapy are advised to avoid using
this herb internally because of the potent immune stimulating activity
of certain compounds in the plant.
