Has anyone had a good result from using Cat's Claw and if so, what brand and dosage? I finished ABX treatment seven months ago and all my syX seem to be gone, but am now having issues with my hands - carpal tunnel, "trigger finger," aches if I overuse my hands and a little general weakness. It may be a result of lyme and just I just need time to rebuild strength but I've thought of using cat's claw for a few weeks as a precaution since I suspect these hand problems are possibly lingering lyme??
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
It could be a relapse. Cats claw is one of the strongest herbs for borrelia and most people react positively with it (improvement). You could try it to see if you react with it. If you herx then improve, it might mean you still got active borrelia.
However, only cats claw won't put lyme dormant, in my opinion. You will probably need the rest of Buhner's herbs to help.
In case you try cats claw, start slow. It can be very potent. there are loads of posts about it, just do a search.
Good luck
Posted by miles2go (Member # 20119) on :
Thanks Brussels. Great idea. I'm new to this. I'll do a search and see what I can learn about it.
Posted by snownsparkles (Member # 25925) on :
I had taken cat's claw last year.
Brand: Allergy Research Group- Prima Una de Gato
Dose: I was taking it 1 capsule 3 times a day on
an empty stomach. I started off taking 1 capsule
a day and then gradually increased the dosing up
to 1 capsule twice a day and then 1 capsule 3
times a day.
I am not sure if it can be purchased online or
not. I just got it from my LLMD's office.
Hope this helps, Katie
Posted by Pam08 (Member # 19203) on :
Hi Miles2go...I tried to send you a private message but it said that you don't receive them.
I see that you are in Virginia and I am also in Virginia. I was just wondering if you could maybe send me a private message and tell me who your LLMD was? I am just curious since you seem to have done really well with your treatment.
How long were you sick?
Sorry I don't have any experience with Cat's Claw. I do know that it can be very strong so I would definitely start out slow. I actually have some here that I haven't tried yet since I am following the treatment that my LLMD has me doing. I may try to add it in soon though.
Take Care!! Pam :-)
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Samento and Una de Gato are the same - both are TOA-free Cat's Claw but, technically, no longer Cat's Claw.
TOA-formulas cost usually two to five times that of regular cat's claw and are not as calming in nature as the original whole herb.
Although different, both regular cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and the TOA types are used for lyme patients. The Cowden protocol advises the TOA-free type.
If one is taking TOA-free cat's claw, do not assume that any of the properties of regular cat's claw will be obtained with the TOA-free type and visa versa.
While some properties may still remain, when one thing is changed, it can change the effects. So, just be sure of the differences.
I prefer the regular cat's claw as it is better for those with neuro-lyme since the TOA's are the part that help relieve the neuro symptoms. The TOA-free does not have the calming effect that I get from regular cat's claw. (Buhner explains this more in his book).
When it first came out, I relied on Samento for a full year and was greatly disappointed. It had been touted then as a near cure. It was not. But it was my only option then. Now, a full protocol with other things has developed around that.
Yet, there have been a few lyme patients for whom the TOA-free works well.
However, since the plant is becoming rare, we have to ask ourselves if something else will work better so as to protect the environment and people where this is grown. See the last entry below by Dharmananda.
The question that arises is this: is it worthwhile collecting a species that has a limited growing range for which the root bark may be the key ingredient, and which is quite expensive, rather than using readily available plants that are less expensive and are already cultivated and which have far more supporting research for the intended application? -
Posted by miles2go (Member # 20119) on :
Thank you Keebler. I have both the Allergy Research toa free cat's claw and the Raintree wildcrafted cat's claw. This info. will help me do my research. I want to try one after my "trigger finger" release surgery is over.
Posted by ukcarry (Member # 18147) on :
I didn't react noticeably to Samento: if I try again, I will use cats claw itself, which Stephen Buhner recommends rather than the TOA-free form.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
I used both, and for me, whole cats claw was much better than TOA free.
It never worked alone though (I mean, to make me symptom free).
I needed to combine cats claw with other herbs like andrographis, stephania tetandra, sarsaparilla or eleutherococcus. Even astragalus sometimes.
Another good one to try (widespectrum) is freeze dry garlic. It kills many things but may be hard on the tummy (for some). It was so far the strongest ever 'herb' like substance I took.
A simple and easy to find widespectrum killer is propolis. It is though not too strong, but it usually helps on multiple infections. You can also try bee pollen, it can help a lot sometimes. Very inexpensive.
If you are still looking for other alternative killers, Sanum has got many, in homeopathic forms. Many types of penicilins, that I swear, work better than real penicilin in many cases. I've been using that for years and that keeps us AWAY from any chemical abx for years. All the family.
Besides, they don't destroy your GI flora, on the contrary, help the flora to get in balance.
But adding too many killers and few cleansers may be bad, so combine them with cleansers!