Uncaria Tomentosa Bark Powder
Cat's claw is sold as a dietary supplement. NCCIH/NIH considers it possibly safe for short-term use (up to 6 months) at typical doses.
What it is
Cat's claw — powdered inner bark of Uncaria tomentosa, an Amazonian woody vine, containing oxindole alkaloids.
Botanical/herbal supplement (immune, anti-inflammatory traditional uses).
Why it's flagged
- Drug interactions with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, antihypertensives, immunosuppressants
- Avoid in pregnancy per NCCIH
- Limited high-quality clinical safety data
What regulators actually say
"Cat's claw is possibly safe for most people when taken for up to 6 months. Some studies of cat's claw during pregnancy suggest it is unsafe."
"Cat's claw has not been implicated in causing liver injury... There are theoretical reasons to suspect that cat's claw might interact with anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and blood pressure drugs."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Dietary supplement under DSHEA; not GRAS for food
European Union — EFSA
Not authorized food additive; herbal supplement use varies by member state
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