Cat's Claw Root

Cat's Claw Root

Featuring author Phil Steinberg

FACT #1: Cat's Claw Root is legally being harvested in an ecologically sound manner.

FACT #2: Cat's Claw Root contains a higher alkaloid content than inner bark.

This is based on information I have received from the Peruvian Consulate in Miami and confirmed by Dr. Alexander G. Schauss, Ph.D., President of Citizens for Health, who has been conducting his own research on the herb and Dr. Ursula Keplinger M.D., medical director of Immodel, makers of Krallendorn, the pharmaceutical extract developed from the root, now being used in Austria and Germany to treat patients with cancer, AIDS and other serious diseases.

So why have I proclaimed in past written magazine articles that harvesting of the root is illegal? Because I had been provided with copies of 3 official looking letters displaying the letterhead and seal of The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture stating as such. These three letters were provided to me by a major supplier of cat’s claw bark and are dated Oct 20, ‘94, Nov. 18, ‘94 and Jan. 10, ‘96. In all fairness to the company in question, it is possible that a Peruvian official had his own reasons for providing these letters containing false and misleading statements about the law.

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To further add to the confusion, lab tests performed on bark here in the U.S. prior to February 1996, where showing that bark contained a much higher alkaloid content than it actually does. This lead me to believe that cat’s claw root had no real advantage over cat’s claw bark. I now know this to be false and for the sake of bringing out the truth, must hereby apologize for unwittingly participating in the spreading of wrong information about Cat’s Claw.

HOW THE TRUTH FINALLY BECAME KNOWN
Somewhere around the first of April 1996, I was contacted by someone I had come to trust as a source of reliable information. He proceeded to inform me that a company in Peru had secured an agreement with the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture to harvest and export a limited amount of cat’s claw root per month and that this raw material would soon be available in the United States. At first I was very skeptical and questioned whether this material would be harvested in an ecologically sound manner and whether it was being exported legally. He assured me that this company was cutting away only small sections of root at a time leaving enough root intact to allow the vine to regenerate itself.

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In late April, I received a copy of an analysis that had been performed on this material at Industrial Labs, an independent facility in Denver, CO. This lab has tested numerous samples of cat’s claw bark from many different companies. When I spoke with the laboratory representative he informed me that he had never tested any inner bark that contained as high an alkaloid content as the root sample that one U.S. importer had provided. At this point it seemed obvious to me that this root material had some advantages; however there was still the question of legality.

I now decided to write a letter to the Peruvian Consulate in Miami asking for clarification of the law in Peru that supposedly banned harvesting of the root. His reply did not come until June 3rd, ‘96. He was apologetic as he informed me that he had to check with officials in Peru before responding to my questions. According to his letter, Peruvian law #DL21147 does not prohibit the harvesting or exporting of any part of any botanical native to Peru. What it does state is that any company interested in exporting any plant, animal or mineral substance out of Peru must sign a contractual agreement with the ministry of agriculture clearly defining how they will replenish the natural resource being used.

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It appears that harvesting the root of Uncaria tomentosa has never been illegal in Peru; but severely restricted to only those few companies that can demonstrate their willingness and ability to harvest root in a responsible manner.

Here in the U.S., the vast majority of Cat’s Claw products are made solely from the inner bark. While some of these are excellent products, many have been found to contain little to none of the beneficial alkaloids that have been extensively researched in Austria and Germany. Also, Krallendorn, the pharmaceutical being used in European countries, is made solely from the root, not inner bark.

According to Dr. Brent Davis D.C., who has been researching and working with cat’s claw since the late 1980’s, root contains a higher alkaloid content, while inner bark contains a higher phytosterol and triterpine content. He therefore utilizes a combination of both parts of the vine in his clinical practice, with the understanding that this provides a better balance of all the beneficial phytochemicals inherent in the herb.

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In addition, Dr Schauss has stated that the root contains a glycoside not found in the bark that displays additional anti-inflammatory properties.

Recently I began working with a 50/50 cat’s claw root and bark extract in 500mg capsules manufactured by Green Leaf Herbs. When using applied kinesiology (muscle testing), it seems to test better on most individuals than the majority of products made solely from inner bark.

Finally, readers should know that there are several companies producing concentrated & standardized extracts from inner bark in both liquid and powdered forms. It appears that most of these have not been manufactured properly and are not standardized to the correct alkaloids or other active constituents. For this reason they are generally not as effective as a combination root and bark extract. Just because a company claims to offer a standardized extract does not necessarily mean their product will be the highest quality or the most effective.

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So are you now thoroughly confused? Don’t know what products to purchase or look for? Allow me now to bring some clarity to this situation: From an economical stand point, many people will do well using products made from whole inner bark, as a preventative or for minor ailments.

For more serious health problems however, one may want to purchase products that contain a balance of both cat’s claw root and inner bark, because both contain higher levels of different benefical phytochemicals, providing the best balance of all the active constituents.

If an extract has been properly standardized to the correct alkaloids and/or other constituents you might consider using it for minor as well as more serious conditions with the understanding that you will probably be able to take less to achieve satisfactory results. However, keep in mind that these products will be considerably more expensive.

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These statements have NOT been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

It is advised to always seek
the advice from your family holistic physician before starting any new herbal or nutritional program.

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