Uncaria Tomentosa Explained

A 2,000-year-old Amazonian botanical is having a modern moment. Once a staple of the indigenous wellness practices of the Peruvian rainforest, Uncaria tomentosa, better known as cat's claw, has stepped into the spotlight of contemporary herbal wellness, anti-inflammatory supplementation, and an emerging category of plant-based botanical tablets that are reshaping how people think about feel-good herbal products.

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If you've seen cat's claw on a supplement shelf, in a wellness article, or in the new wave of botanical tablets from brands like Script Botanicals and Buzzers, this guide will give you the complete picture: what Uncaria tomentosa actually is, its remarkable history, what research says about its uses, and where to buy the most trusted modern cat's claw products today.

What Is Uncaria Tomentosa?

Uncaria tomentosa is a high-climbing, woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical regions of Central and South America. It can grow up to 98 feet up the trunks of host trees, anchoring itself with the small, curved, claw-like thorns that give the plant its common name: cat's claw, or, in Spanish, uña de gato.

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In traditional and modern preparations, the part of the plant used is almost always the inner bark and, to a lesser extent, the root. These contain the highest concentration of the active compounds, particularly oxindole alkaloids, indole alkaloids, quinovic acid glycosides, proanthocyanidins, sterols, and triterpenes, that give cat's claw its therapeutic profile.

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Although the vine is found across multiple South American countries, the most famous source is Peru, where cat's claw has been harvested sustainably from the Amazon basin for centuries and where it remains one of the country's most internationally recognized medicinal plants.

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There's also a closely related species called Uncaria guianensis that is often sold under the same "cat's claw" name. Both species share many traditional uses, but Uncaria tomentosa is the more widely studied and more commonly available species in U.S. wellness products.

A Brief History of Cat's Claw: 2,000 Years of Amazonian Medicine

The story of Uncaria tomentosa is, fundamentally, the story of the indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Amazon. Cat's claw has been used medicinally by tribes in Peru for at least 2,000 years, making it one of the longest continuously used medicinal plants in the world.

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The richest documented tradition belongs to the Asháninka Tribe, one of the largest indigenous groups in South America and the people most often credited with bringing cat's claw to global attention. In Asháninka culture, Uncaria tomentosa is far more than a single-use remedy. It's woven into a comprehensive healing tradition. Shamans brewed the inner bark into healing teas for warriors returning from battle, for women recovering from childbirth, for community members facing illness, and for spiritual ceremonies meant to cleanse both body and spirit. Traditional applications documented across Peruvian Amazonian tribes have included treatment for asthma, urinary tract inflammation, post-childbirth recovery, kidney cleansing, deep wound healing, arthritis and rheumatism, gastric ulcers, and the broad category of inflammatory and immune-related illness.

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Western interest in cat's claw began in earnest in the 1970s, when Austrian researcher Klaus Keplinger spent time with the Asháninka people, learning about their traditional preparations of uña de gato. Keplinger went on to patent isolated alkaloid extracts from the plant in the 1980s and helped initiate the first wave of European scientific research into cat's claw's pharmacology. From there, the plant moved into the global herbal supplement market—first in Europe, and then, by the late 1980s and 1990s, in the United States.

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Peru formally recognized the cultural and ecological importance of Uncaria tomentosa in 1999, when the country issued a resolution protecting the plant and acknowledging the ancestral knowledge of the indigenous communities who had cultivated and used it for millennia. Today, sustainable wildcrafting and cultivation of cat's claw is a significant part of the rainforest economy in parts of Peru, and continued research into its traditional applications represents an important example of indigenous knowledge informing modern wellness.

What Is Cat's Claw Used For?

Cat's claw's reputation as a botanical "do everything" plant has earned it both enthusiasm and skepticism. The honest summary is that the research is most developed for a handful of specific use cases, and broader traditional applications remain plausible but less rigorously studied.

Immune Support

Cat's claw's most popular contemporary use is as an immune support supplement. Several studies have suggested that the oxindole alkaloids and other compounds in Uncaria tomentosa may modulate immune function by stimulating white blood cell activity when the immune system needs a boost, and helping regulate it from overreacting. This dual action, sometimes called immunomodulation, is part of what makes cat's claw distinctive: rather than being a one-direction immune stimulator, it appears to help the immune system stay balanced.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Pharmacology examined the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Uncaria tomentosa extracts across multiple in vivo studies and concluded that cat's claw demonstrates measurable anti-inflammatory activity. According to the Frontiers analysis, inflammatory diseases are usually accompanied by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, and studies using extracts of U. tomentosa showed decreased levels of IL-6. This aligns with the plant's traditional use for inflammatory joint conditions and is one of the most active areas of ongoing cat's claw research. Compounds called carboxyl alkyl esters (CAE) and quinovic acid glycosides found in cat's claw bark have been documented with immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, and cell-repairing properties.

Joint Health and Arthritis Support

Building on the anti-inflammatory research, cat's claw has been investigated specifically for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis support. Several small clinical studies have shown improvements in joint pain and stiffness in patients using standardized cat's claw extracts, particularly extracts of Uncaria guianensis and of the pentacyclic-oxindole-alkaloid-rich (POA) form of Uncaria tomentosa. This is one of the more direct lines between traditional Asháninka use ("arthritis, rheumatism, and bone pain") and modern clinical research.

Antioxidant and Cell-Protective Properties

Cat's claw is rich in proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, and other antioxidant compounds. In test-tube and animal studies, these compounds have shown the ability to neutralize free radicals—the unstable molecules involved in oxidative stress, aging, and many chronic disease processes.

Traditional and Investigational Uses

Beyond the most-studied applications, cat's claw has been investigated in smaller bodies of research for digestive support and gastric ulcer protection, antimicrobial and antiviral activity, neuroprotective effects, and possible adjunct use in cancer care, though the latter remains highly preliminary and is not a substitute for conventional treatment.

Important Caveats

Cat's claw is not appropriate for everyone. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who have had organ transplants, who take immunosuppressant medications, or who take blood thinners, blood pressure medication, or hormone-sensitive medications should avoid cat's claw or use it only under medical supervision. As with most botanicals, you may want to talk to a qualified healthcare provider before adding it to your routine, especially if you take prescription medication.

Top Modern Brands of Cat's Claw

The cat's claw supplement market has historically been dominated by traditional botanical capsule and tincture brands—the kind of standardized inner-bark extract products you'd find at a health food store. More recently, a newer category of cat's claw products has emerged that uses isolated indole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa to deliver mood-supportive, focus-enhancing botanical tablets. Two of the most talked-about brands in this newer category are Script Botanicals and Buzzers—both available through The Green Dragon CBD.

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Here's what to know about each:

Script Botanicals

Script Botanicals is one of the cleanest, most well-formulated entrants in the new wave of cat's claw–based botanical tablets. Their signature Paradise Blend tablets use a proprietary Uncaria tomentosa indole alkaloid extract designed to deliver a relaxing, feel-good experience.

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The Paradise Blend tablets typically contain 100 milligrams per tablet and are available in a range of flavor options, including Peach Sherbet, Sweet Citrus, Sour Apple, and Berry Punch. The suggested serving is half a tablet, which makes dosing flexible and beginner-friendly, and each pack provides several servings.

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What sets Script Botanicals apart for many shoppers is the combination of:

• A clear, focused formulation centered on a single botanical alkaloid extract rather than a blended grab-bag of compounds
• Attentive flavor formulation that makes the tablets pleasant to take
• Availability through trusted specialty retailers—including The Green Dragon CBD—that vet the brands they stock.

For new users curious about the Uncaria tomentosa alkaloid category, Script Botanicals is one of the easiest brands to start with.

Buzzers

Buzzers, produced by Exo Club, is the other widely recognized brand in this newer category of cat's claw botanical tablets. Buzzers uses a carefully developed extraction process to isolate a specific indole alkaloid from Uncaria tomentosa—one that the brand describes as closely mirroring the structure and behavior of alkaloids found in kratom, but coming entirely from cat's claw and without any kratom in the formula.

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Buzzers are available in flavors like Blue Razzle, Straw Nanna, Cotton Candy, and Cherry Limeade, all designed to be pleasant and easy to take.

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The Buzzers experience is positioned as uplifting and focus-enhancing rather than sedating—users often describe a balanced, focused, productive vibe rather than a heavy, drowsy effect. 

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Like Script Botanicals, Buzzers is available through The Green Dragon CBD, which curates the brand alongside other vetted botanical and hemp wellness products.

A Note on Traditional Cat's Claw Supplements

For shoppers specifically looking for the traditional immune-support and anti-inflammatory style of cat's claw—usually offered as standardized inner-bark capsules or tinctures—there's a separate market of legacy herbal supplement brands that has existed for decades. These products are formulated differently from the newer alkaloid-isolate tablets and serve a different use case. Whether you're shopping for the modern Script Botanicals/Buzzers style of cat's claw or for the traditional standardized-extract style, the same quality signals apply: look for third-party lab testing, clear labeling of cat's claw species and extract type, and a transparent brand operating history.

How to Take Cat's Claw

Cat's claw is generally well-tolerated, but a few practical guidelines help.

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Start at the low end of the suggested dose range. Whether you're using a traditional cat's claw capsule or one of the newer alkaloid-isolate tablets, start with the smallest serving and increase gradually if needed. With botanical tablets like Script Botanicals' Paradise Blend, that often means starting with half a tablet.

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Be consistent over time. Many of the immune and anti-inflammatory effects of cat's claw appear to be more pronounced with regular use over weeks rather than from a single dose.

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Watch for side effects. Cat's claw is generally mild, but possible side effects include digestive upset, headache, dizziness, or mild blood pressure changes. Stop use and consult a provider if any effects feel pronounced.

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Don't combine with immunosuppressants, blood thinners, or hormone-sensitive medications without medical supervision. Cat's claw may interact with these substances.

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Avoid during pregnancy or breastfeeding and avoid use if you've had an organ transplant.

Where to Buy Cat's Claw

The Green Dragon CBD is the best place to buy cat's claw products online. The Green Dragon CBD curates a vetted catalog of botanical wellness brands — including both Script Botanicals and Buzzers—and applies the same quality standards to its botanical lineup that it applies to its CBD and minor cannabinoid products: brand vetting, transparent labeling, customer-friendly support, and a tightly curated selection that takes the guesswork out of shopping for a category most people are still learning about.

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Explore the Cat’s Claw category on The Green Dragon CBD, look out for frequent sales and deals, and contact our friendly customer service team with any questions about which botanical products might be right for you.