Evidence supporting the use of: Cat's claw
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), a woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest and other parts of Central and South America, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly among indigenous peoples. Traditionally, cat's claw has been used to address a variety of ailments related to inflammation and infection, including respiratory complaints such as cough and asthma. The rationale for its use in dry cough is primarily based on its purported anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties, which may help soothe irritated respiratory passages.
However, there is limited direct scientific evidence supporting cat's claw as a treatment for dry cough in humans. Most modern research has focused on its potential benefits for arthritis, immune system modulation, and antioxidant activity, rather than on respiratory conditions specifically. Few, if any, clinical trials have evaluated cat's claw for cough, and existing studies tend to focus on its broad anti-inflammatory effects, which are only indirectly relevant to dry cough.
In summary, while cat's claw has a traditional reputation for supporting respiratory health and easing coughs, this use is not strongly validated by modern clinical research. Its application for dry cough remains based on anecdotal and ethnobotanical evidence rather than robust scientific data.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
oregano
parsley
pear
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fumaria parviflora
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
dodder
sweet flag
menthol oil
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ambergris
acacia
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Bayleaf
Bael
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by cat's claw
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeArthritis
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colitis
Conjunctivitis
Convalescence
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Lupus
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Multiple Sclerosis
Parasites (tapeworm)