Respiratory: Helps with allergy, asthma

Cardiovascular: Decreases blood pressure by dilating blood vessels

Gastrointestinal: May help with stomach problems: ulcers, hemorrhoids, may help in Crohn's, oral candidiasis

Musculoskeletal: Helps with osteoarthritis (Uncaria guianensis) and rheumatoid arthritis (Uncaria tomentosa)

Neurological: Chronic fatigue

Skin: Speeds healing of genital and oral herpes, shingles, eczema, psoriasis

Glucose: May aid in the control of diabetes

Immunity: Helps build immunity

Cancer: May help fight cancer

Infectious Disease: AIDS

Other: Possibly antimutagenic - repairs DNA, helps prevent blood clots

                                                       *   *   *

SIDE EFFECTS: Abdominal pain and/or distention, kidney problems, stomach disturbances, fatigue, headache, insomnia, blood disorders, neuropathy, hives

CAUTIONS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:  Autoimmune diseases, bleeding disorders, low blood pressure, leukemia, while taking other medications metabolized by the P450 3A4 enzyme system for example, lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra)

FORMS: Extract, capsules, tablets, tinctures, cream, tea, spray, gel

Recommended Brands

None available at this time.

Dosage

As directed on the product label.

Some clinical and consumer sources describe a wide range of herbal amounts and application methods, and many are not supported by strong evidence. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

The German Commission E has evaluated this herb for certain traditional uses, but their specific dosing instructions are proprietary and cannot be reproduced here. Commercial products may differ significantly from the preparations described in traditional or historical sources.

For detailed drug dosing and interaction information, refer to Epocrates.

Traditional Use (General Information Only)

This herb has been used traditionally in a variety of forms, including sprays, topical gels, and oral preparations. Traditional practices describe these forms as common ways the herb has been prepared historically, though modern products vary widely in strength and formulation.

These reflect traditional and consumer uses, not evidence‑based medical treatments. Product formulations vary, so it is important to follow the manufacturer’s directions.

*Disclaimer: The material above is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose or treat a condition. The uses listed above are tentative; some have or are undergoing research trials, but many are not FDA-approved. It is essential that you investigate these supplements further before deciding to use them. Check interactions and contraindications on sites like Drugs.com or WebMD. Do not attempt to treat a serious condition like liver, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart, cancer, diabetes, or thyroid issues without discussing it with a healthcare provider first. If you are pregnant, do not use supplements without discussing it with your healthcare provider.