Health: Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Also for stomach ulcers, gastritis, eczema, "break-bone fever," and liver diseases. Clinical studies show it is useful for relieving knee pain. Oxindole alkaloids in catÍs claw strengthen the immune system and also improve circulation by lowering blood pressure. Rain forest herbalist Leslie Taylor has used cat's claw tinctures and teas to treat cancer and HIV with remarkable success. Avoid when trying to get pregnant or if you have any chronic health condition resulting from over-stimulation of the immune system, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, or Show-gren's syndrome