Does cat’s claw have any health benefits and is it safe?

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Written by Meredith A. Worthington, Ph.D.

Latest Update September 21, 2023 ⓘ

Cats claw extract capsules in a bowl on a table

Answer:

Based on effect seen in laboratory studies, cat's claw is promoted for numerous conditions, including arthritis (including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), Alzheimer's disease, viral infections, boosting immune response to vaccination, reducing side effects of chemotherapy, and improving cancer-related symptoms. However, as discussed below, there does not appear to be any convincing evidence from clinical studies supporting the use of cat's claw for any indication.

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In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article: