Cat's Claw — Uncaria tomentosa

Cat's Claw — Uncaria tomentosa 1:2 Alcohol Tincture

Uña de Gato. Savéntaro — the powerful plant. One of the most revered immune and bridging medicines of the Amazon.

Cat's Claw is a large woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest, climbing through the canopy by means of its distinctive curved, claw-shaped thorns — the feature that gives the plant its name in every language it is known by. It has been used by Amazonian peoples for at least two thousand years, an extraordinary span of continuous traditional use that few plants in the world can claim.

Among the Asháninka people of Peru, Cat's Claw is known as savéntaro — the powerful plant — and is considered one of their most sacred medicinal allies. It is believed to possess good spirits capable of repairing disruptions in the relationship between body and spirit, and is traditionally understood as a bridge and balancer between the physical and spiritual worlds. Specialised healers prepare it specifically for conditions believed to have spiritual as much as physical roots.

Traditional Uses

For over two thousand years, indigenous healers across the Amazon — including the Asháninka, Aguaruna, Cashibo, Conibo and Shipibo of Peru — have used Cat's Claw bark as a purifying and immune-supporting medicine. It is traditionally prepared as a decoction and used for a remarkably broad range of conditions, including arthritis and rheumatism, gastric ulcers and digestive complaints, infections, fevers, urinary tract conditions, wounds and general weakness or depletion.

It has earned the description "opener of the way" for its traditional use in cleansing the intestinal tract and supporting chronic gastrointestinal issues — clearing what is stuck and restoring proper flow through the digestive system.

On the energetic level, Cat's Claw is considered by Amazonian shamans to carry a genuine consciousness and supernatural quality when worked with — not simply a physical remedy but a plant ally that bridges the seen and unseen aspects of healing.

The Plant & Its Properties

Cat's Claw contains a rich profile of alkaloids, proanthocyanidins and sterols that have made it one of the most studied Amazonian plants in modern phytopharmacology. Its compounds are associated with immune modulation, anti-inflammatory action, antioxidant activity and support for tissue health. Research interest in Cat's Claw has continued to grow since the early 1990s, with particular focus on its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

There are two species that carry the Cat's Claw name — Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis — with differing alkaloid profiles. Our tincture is made exclusively from genuine Uncaria tomentosa, the species most extensively documented in both traditional use and modern research.

About This Tincture

Our Cat's Claw is prepared as a 1:2 alcohol tincture — one part wild-harvested inner bark to two parts organic alcohol. The bark is the part of the plant traditionally used by Amazonian healers and carries the plant's full concentration of active alkaloids.

Most tinctures on the market are made at a 1:5 ratio — one part plant to five parts liquid. Ours are 1:2 as standard — significantly more plant per drop and noticeably stronger. Sourced directly from trusted indigenous partners in the Amazon, prepared in small batches by hand with care and respect for the plant and the tradition it comes from.

How to Use

5 drops under the tongue or in a small amount of water, twice daily, away from food and drink. Some traditional sources note that Cat's Claw is best taken in water rather than absorbed directly under the tongue, as this is believed to support fuller absorption through the body. Can be taken consistently as part of a daily routine.

Important

Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Those with autoimmune conditions should use with caution, as the plant's immune-modulating effects could in theory be unsuitable for some conditions — consult your doctor first. If taking blood thinning medication or preparing for surgery, stop use at least two weeks in advance. Consult your doctor before use if you are taking any prescribed medication. Not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. This product is offered for its ethnobotanical and traditional value.