Who should not use cats’ claw?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use cat’s claw. Cat’s claw may interact with some HIV and AIDS medicines. Because cat’s claw may stimulate the immune system, people with certain autoimmune conditions shouldn’t use it. These include people with an overactive immune system. Cat’s claw might make the immune system more active, which could increase symptoms of autoimmune diseases. If you have an autoimmune disease, consult your health care provider before using cat’s claw. Cat’s claw may slow blood clotting, and this might increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.Hepatotoxicity. Despite being widely used, cat’s claw has not been implicated in cases of clinically apparent liver injury and, in prospective studies, has had no effect on serum enzyme levels. In vitro studies have demonstrated antioxidant activity of cat’s claw extracts which may be hepatoprotective.Cat’s Claw extract is not on the FDA’s GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list and is not approved as a food additive or drug in the US.
Is cat’s claw good for anxiety?
Cat’s claw may have anti-cancer effects and help anxiety and asthma. However, more research is needed to support these supposed benefits. Traditionally, cat’s claw has been used to treat myriad conditions, including high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, digestive issues, and wound healing. Occasionally, cat’s claw can cause low blood pressure, as well as a risk of haemorrhage and nerve damage. Also, anti-oestrogenic effects have been reported, as well as damage to the kidneys.Avoid taking other herbal/health supplements such as casein protein, coenzyme Q-10 (ubiquinone), fish oil, L-arginine, lycium, or stinging nettle. Combining cat’s claw with any of these substances may cause your blood pressure to get too low.