Cat's Claw as an Aphrodisiac for Men

Known as the Healing Vine of Peru, Cat’s claw has been long believed by the native cultures of South America to have a range of healing as well as aphrodisiacal properties. It is only recently that the herb has caught the attention of the modern scientific community and has become the subject of many studies into the way it works to strengthen the body for love and general well-being.

About cat’s claw

This is a vine whose botanical name is Uncaria Tomentosa. Known as ‘Una de gato’ in Spanish, the vine is native to Peru where it is a highly protected plant species. Cat’s claw gets its name probably from the large, curved thorns that grow along the vine. Yet another unrelated species of plant, botanically known as Acacia gregii , which grows in northern Mexico and southern Texas is also locally known as cat’s claw but it does not seem to possess any of the beneficial properties of the Peruvian vine and in fact may even be poisonous if ingested orally.

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How cat’s claw works as an aphrodisiac

Aphrodisiacs are substances which are believed to stimulate sexual desire and improve the quality of sexual experience. While a few of them are reported to have a direct effect on the sex hormones and organs of the body, most work by alleviating disorders of body systems and providing nutrients essential to have a healthy sex life.

Cat’s claw’s reputation as an aphrodisiac in the traditional cultures of South America probably owes to the herb’s ability to heal a range of medical conditions and boost the immune system. Recent studies into the bio-chemical makeup of cat’s claw have revealed that the active compounds in the vine are tannins, alkaloids and phytochemicals. Of these one particular complex of alkaloids, the oxindole alkaloids have been found in some studies to have a positive impact on the immune system. Anything which helps the body to fight infections and bolster up its defense mechanism not only helps a person to live better but allows him/her to enjoy a healthy sex life too.

The traditional benefits of cat’s claw led a researcher named Klaus Keplinger to investigate the herb’s properties and he even patented some of its chemical compounds in the belief that they act as valuable supplements in strengthening the body’s immune system and thus may be used in the herbal treatment of infections like herpes and AIDS. Studies of AIDS patients using cat’s claw have proved inconclusive. Another study showed that cat’s claw accelerated the healing process from infections like herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus. However the study was commissioned by a company which made cat’s claw herbal extracts and thus couldn’t be regarded as independent. While the effect of cat’s claws on exact medical conditions have not proved conclusive, the belief that the herb may help the body’s immune system warrants more studies into the subject.

Another way in which cat’s claw is believed to heal the body is with its anti-hypertensive properties and its positive impact on the circulatory system. The herb is believed to contain an important alkaloid known as rhynchophylline which may help to reduce the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes by lowering blood pressure, reducing heart rate, controlling cholesterol, stimulating blood circulation and dissolving blood clots in arteries and veins. This is good news for lovers since proper circulation means uninterrupted blood supply to the sex organs which is necessary for attainment and maintenance of erection among men as well as more satisfying sexual stimulation among women.

According to some sources, cat’s claws also works to normalize menstrual disorders among women. This may be because of the herb’s effect on certain sex hormones in the body. By helping women to obtain relief from gynecological problems, the herb may work as an aphrodisiacal aid, healing and preparing the body to take pleasure in sex.

Cat’s claw has also been known as an anti-inflammatory agent and hence useful in the treatment of arthritis and other painful inflammations of the body. It is also believed to offer relief in a variety of gastro-intestinal conditions like colitis, gastric ulcers, gastritis, diverticulitis and leaky bowel syndrome.

How is cat’s claw used? Traditionally, cat’s claw has been used by making a tea from the inner bark of the vine. But now health food and herbal companies offer cats’ claw extract in many forms. One can buy dried cut-and-sifted root and stem, the dried and powdered bark in the form of capsules, liquid tinctures to be put under the tongue and tea bags to make a herbal decoction. Since there have been so few large-scale researches into the effect of the cat’s claw on humans, a standardized dosage cannot be given. It is thus best to follow a physician’s advice or the manufacturer’s instruction regarding the dosage and administration of the herb.

Possible side-effects of using cat’s claws

Even though there are no recorded adverse effects of using cat’s claw, this may be due to the fact that only limited number of studies has been carried out on the effect of the herb on humans. However herbal practitioners caution against taking the herb if pregnant, breast-feeding or below eighteen years of age. Again as in the case of other immune stimulants, cat’s claw may act unpredictably in patients already suffering from immunity conditions like tuberculosis, HIV infection or multiple sclerosis.

There have been no known drug interactions between cat’s claw and other herbs or medications. Again this may be more a consequence of insufficient number of long-term scientific tests conducted on the effect of the herb on humans. So it is best to use the herb under the guidance of a qualified health care provider.

For hundreds of years, Cat’s claw has figured as an important medicinal plant among the native cultures of South America. Traditional medicine of the region believed that the herb could cleanse the body of a wide variety of ailments and boost its power to fight infections. This makes the herb a powerful aphrodisiacal aid, making the body fit and ready for amorous pursuits.