cat’s claw, an herb that belongs to the madder family, found in South America and Southeast Asia. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is used for cancer, herpes, arthritis, gastritis, gout, wounds, and gastric ulcers. There may be short-term benefits when used for osteoarthritis, but effectiveness for other indications has not been proven. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: It is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation and in children younger than 3 years of age until more research is available. It also should not be used in people with muscular sclerosis, tuberculosis, or hemophilia or in those who have had organ transplants.
