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Cat's claw is an herbal product made from the bark and root of a vine that grows in Peru. Natives of the Peruvian jungle (especially the Ashaninka tribe), have used cat's claw for hundreds of years as a medicine. It has since been shown to contain oxindole alkaloids, which may be helpful for treating everything from inflammatory diseases like arthritis, to cancer, and there is new research that may show promise for this plant as an AIDS treatment.

Traditionally, the inner bark and the root of the vine are used to make a tea. This is organic, non-powdered bark perfect for infusions.

Cat's claw is a large perennial, a woody vine (liana) from the Amazon rainforest; it has white bisexual flowers, simple leaves - elliptic to oblong and hook-like thorns at the base of the leaves that resemble the claw of a cat.

The fruits are elliptical capsules with numerous small seeds. It grows up and around trees, up to more than 100' high. There are 60 species of this genus but there are two very closely related species in Suriname: uncaria tomentosa (at higher elevations) and - guianensis (at lower elevations). They can be used interchangeably.

The parts harvested (wild harvested) are the bark of the woody stem, roots and the leaves. Phytochemicals in the plant include: alkaloids, anthraquinones, sterols, triterpenes, glycosides, polyphenols, tannins. These phytochemicals have been shown to provide natural support against many viruses. The herb can be used to build the immune system since it is an immuno stimulant.

The bark of the stem is most used in the applications.