🌿 Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Also known as: Uña de Gato • Hawk’s Claw • Vilcacora
Family: Rubiaceae (Coffee family — not related to ragweed)
Origin: Native to the Amazon rainforest and tropical South America
Parts used: Dried inner bark and root
Primary use: Internal

✨ Description

Wild, potent, and revered for centuries, Cat’s Claw is one of the Amazon’s most celebrated healing vines. Its hooked tendrils — shaped like a cat’s claw — allow it to climb high into the rainforest canopy, symbolizing both strength and endurance.

Traditionally used by Indigenous healers as a purifier, immune strengthener, and anti-inflammatory, Cat’s Claw helps the body restore balance by supporting detoxification, joint comfort, and natural defense. Modern herbalists prize it for its antioxidant and adaptogenic properties, making it a cornerstone herb for immune and inflammatory support in wellness blends.

🍵 Dried Herb Uses

As an immune and inflammation-supporting tea or tonic:

Immune System Support: Enhances the body’s natural defense mechanisms.
Anti-Inflammatory: Helps reduce inflammation in the joints and connective tissues.
Detoxifying: Promotes gentle liver cleansing and circulatory balance.
Antioxidant Protection: Supports cellular health and longevity.
Digestive Support: Eases mild intestinal discomfort and promotes gut wellness.

Directions (Internal Use):
Simmer 1 teaspoon of dried bark in 8–10 oz of water for 15–20 minutes.
Strain and enjoy 1–2 cups daily as a tonic.
Pairs beautifully with Turmeric, Ginger, or Pau d’Arco for immune and joint blends.

💧 External Uses

Use cooled tea as a wash or compress for minor skin irritation or inflammation.
Infuse into oils or lotions for muscle and joint massage blends.

🔮 Metaphysical & Energetic Uses

Resilience & Vitality: Symbolizes strength, grounding, and protection — helping one stand tall through adversity.
Cleansing Energy: Clears emotional blockages and promotes flow through both the physical and energetic body.
Connection to Ancestral Wisdom: Used in traditional Amazonian healing ceremonies for protection and renewal.

Affirmation:

“I am strong, grounded, and protected — my body heals with purpose and power.”

🌿 Pairing Suggestions

Turmeric or Ginger – for inflammation and joint support.
Pau d’Arco or Burdock Root – for cleansing and detoxification.
Elderberry or Astragalus – for immune and seasonal support.
Ashwagandha or Licorice Root – for adaptogenic and adrenal balance.

🌼 Harvest & Sourcing

Our Cat’s Claw is sustainably wild-harvested from mature vines deep within the Peruvian Amazon, where Indigenous communities have cultivated and used it for centuries.
Only the inner bark is harvested to protect the plant and ensure ecological preservation, then shade-dried and finely cut to maintain its potency and vibrant color.

⚖️ Energetics & Taste

Taste: Earthy, slightly bitter, with warm, woody undertones.
Energetic profile: Warming, strengthening, and detoxifying.
Pairs well with: Turmeric, Pau d’Arco, Burdock, and Ginger.

⚠️ Warnings

Avoid use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Consult a healthcare professional if taking immune-modulating medications or anticoagulants.
Do not use before or after organ transplants due to immune-stimulating effects.

🌻 A Note from the Herbalist

Strong yet humble, Cat’s Claw embodies the spirit of survival and restoration — reaching upward toward the light while grounding deep in the earth.

It teaches resilience and regeneration, supporting the immune system and body’s natural healing processes with the wisdom of the rainforest.