Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Cat's Claw for Lyme Disease?
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
  3. Supplements & Remedies

Cat's Claw for Lyme Disease?

What do you think of using cat’s claw to treat Lyme disease?

Andrew Weil, M.D. |June 17, 2008

Traditional Chinese doctor opening medicine cabinet drawer
1 min

Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacteria carried in deer ticks, and spread by the ticks’ bite. If you recognize the symptoms of an infection early on, a few weeks’ treatment with antibiotics (doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil) can eliminate the problem. However, if not promptly diagnosed and correctly treated, Lyme disease can lead to severe, chronic symptoms including arthritis and nerve damage that may be irreversible.

Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) comes from a woody vine with claw-shaped thorns native to the Amazon highlands of Peru and other areas of South and Central America. Amazonian Indians have used the bark and root for centuries, primarily for treatment of arthritis, ulcers, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancer. My colleague Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements and women’s health, tells me that an Austrian study published in the April, 2002, Journal of Rheumatology showed that rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with 60 mg a day of a standardized extract of cat’s claw for one year experienced a reduction in the number of painful and swollen joints. However, no definitive conclusions have emerged from other studies evaluating cat’s claw as a treatment for inflammation and arthritis.

I know that cat’s claw is being promoted on the Internet as a remedy for Lyme disease, but I’ve seen no scientific studies to support its use. If the infection has become chronic, my preference would be treatment with modern Chinese medicine. I have referred patients to Qingcai Zhang, M.D., a Chinese-trained physician in New York City who specializes in the treatment of Lyme and other chronic infectious diseases using antimicrobial and immune-supportive herbs (with and without antibiotics) and with acupuncture to regulate immunity and manage pain. Visit Dr. Zhang’s Web site for more information.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Businessman hand typing on keyboard and working in office in vintage color filter
Supplements & Remedies

A New Kind of Calcium?

Hands Of Woman Deformed From Rheumatoid Arthritis holding pills
Supplements & Remedies

A Supplement to Prevent Alzheimer's

iodine deficient non dairy milk
Supplements & Remedies

Am I Iodine Deficient?

Glass of light beer on the glass bar counter.
Supplements & Remedies

An Antioxidant In Beer?

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
Businessman hand typing on keyboard and working in office in vintage color filter
Supplements & Remedies

A New Kind of Calcium?

Hands Of Woman Deformed From Rheumatoid Arthritis holding pills
Supplements & Remedies

A Supplement to Prevent Alzheimer's

Daily Tips
Feeling Tired? Try These 5 Natural Supplements
Health Tips

5 Natural IdeasFor Energy

Blood Sugar Levels
Health Tips

Try Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Way

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com