Incan treasure turned modern arthritis marvel

Over 54 million Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis.

If you suffer from either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, the joint pain, swelling and stiffness can leave you wondering if there’s any help out there.

And, the answers from your doctor can be downright scary with side effects of prescription arthritis medications ranging from heartburn, blood clots, heart attacks and stroke from NSAIDS… to cancers, neurological disease and autoimmune reactions if you take biologic prescriptions.

The good news is that there is a natural supplement you can use that not only has a long history of use for treating arthritis but has also been shown to improve joint swelling and mobility…

The Peruvian vine that eases joint pain and swelling

Cat’s claw (uncaria tomentosa) or uña de gato is a woody vine native to the Amazonian rainforests.  Cat’s claw gets its name from the curved, claw-like thorns that grow on its stem.

The bark and roots of this vine have been used since the time of the Incas to treat everything from arthritis and inflammation to stomach ulcers and digestive problems.

And, it’s now being proven to benefit people suffering from both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

In one study, 45 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were given either cat’s claw or a placebo for a period of four weeks. Those on cat’s claw noted improvements in pain, as well as on medical and patient assessment scores, with no other side effects compared to placebo.

And, in a study of another 45 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, the use of cat’s claw resulted in a reduction in the number of swollen, painful joints by more than 50% compared to placebo.

Cat’s claw works because it’s an anti-inflammatory that inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a target of powerful RA drugs — and it contains compounds that can benefit your immune system.

Cat’s claw also contains many types of plant chemicals that help reduce inflammation, such as tannins and sterols to decrease swelling and allow your joints to move more freely.

How to use cat’s claw for your joint pain

Cat’s claw is easy to find in your local natural food store or online.

You can choose from capsules, tablets, liquid tinctures or even tea bags. Just be sure to look for one that contains uncaria tomentosa, the most studied form of cat’s claw for arthritis as well as one that is free of tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (TOAs).

The recommended dose is 250 to 350 mg per day.

While cat’s claw usually has little to no side effects, you shouldn’t take it if you have an autoimmune disease, leukemia, low blood pressure or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you would like to use cat’s claw to get rid of your arthritis pain but are currently taking medications to suppress your immune system, blood pressure medicines, diuretics, blood-thinners or other medicines that are processed by your liver, talk to your doctor before starting cats’ claw.

Unless you have any of these issues, cat’s claw could be the answer to your arthritis pain. Try it today to decrease the swelling and inflammation of your joints, improve your range of motion and get back to the activities you love.