Alternative for Cat's Claw

Hi, I am drafting a treatment protocol and found that most Chinese medicinal herbs such as the Japanese Knotweed, Siberian Ginseng, Teasel Root and Smilax, can be bought from local pharmacies easily, but for the Cat's Claw it is not, given that it is the one originated from Central and South America. I managed to find the Chinese version, which is the gou-teng, but I don't seem to be able to find Cat's Claw itself. I heard that Cat's Claw is instead one of the most essential herbs in the Lyme herbal protocol. I wonder if you would know any effective alternatives to Cat's Claw? Million thanks!

Besides, anyone know about the dosage and method for the use of crude herbs as well as intake of herbs and decoctions / medicinal tea?

Post Edited (Kev9412) : 6/29/2017 8:59:23 AM (GMT-6)

Buhner has 2 items called Cat's Claw.

Unicaria tomentosa bark is in his immune remodulation portion of his core protocol.

Unicaria rhynchophylla (gou-teng) is what he recommends for Neuroborreliosis.

Are you wanting tincture, powder or tablet recommendations?

Also, there were a couple of herbs that gave me reactions and I just moved on and went without those herbs and I still healed. Cordyceps mycelium, withania somifera, eleutherococcus sentiosus and glycyrrhiza are other herbs used in Buhner's core protocol for immune remodulation. I did not do the last 2 listed. So, if you leave one out, I think you will be fine.

I did get my Unicaria tomentosa bark from Amazon. I also had nerve involvement so I did take gou-teng and got it also from Amazon.

PeteZa said...
Buhner has 2 items called Cat's Claw.

Unicaria tomentosa bark is in his immune remodulation portion of his core protocol.

Unicaria rhynchophylla (gou-teng) is what he recommends for Neuroborreliosis.

Are you wanting tincture, powder or tablet recommendations?

Also, there were a couple of herbs that gave me reactions and I just moved on and went without those herbs and I still healed. Cordyceps mycelium, withania somifera, eleutherococcus sentiosus and glycyrrhiza are other herbs used in Buhner's core protocol for immune remodulation. I did not do the last 2 listed. So, if you leave one out, I think you will be fine.

I did get my Unicaria tomentosa bark from Amazon. I also had nerve involvement so I did take gou-teng and got it also from Amazon.

Thanks, very nice recommendation from you. Here in Hong Kong there is a powdered version of the crude herbs which we can pour them into hot water, wait for it and then drink the herbal tea. So probably I'm thinking of going for the powder one. I don't mind to take advices regarding the use of crude herbs for making tea decoctions as well.

I don't seem to be able to find withania somifera & Unicaria tomentosa, sadly.

The others you mentioned are pretty well-known here though.

Do you know how to make a decoction or are you asking for guidance? Just in case you are asking for guidance: /theherbalacademy.com/herbal-decoction/

I suggest that you get the "cut/sifted" herbs, and be sure that the pieces are all about the same size for the 'brewing' to be equal timing. I've always preferred to use the whole herb, which is what I think you mean when you say crude herbs?

I'm based in Switzerland, and when I fell ill with lyme and ordered Buhner's herbs, I ordered them from all over the world, literally.

I had no problem, back then. I don't know how free it is to import herbs to HK.

I know in Brazil, is mission impossible, because I tried to send herbs there, they never arrived....