- Uncaria
Taxobox
name = "Uncaria"
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Uncaria gambir"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Gentianales
familia =Rubiaceae
genus = "Uncaria"
genus_authority = Schreb.,1789
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text"Uncaria" is a
genus offlowering plant s in the familyRubiaceae , native toAsia ,Africa , andSouth America . They are known colloquially as Gambier, Cat's Claw or Uña de Gato.Malaysia n Gambier ("U. gambir") is a large tropical vine with typical leaves, which are opposite and about 10 cm long. At the base of the leaves is a cat-like claw, so the South American "U. tomentosa" is called Uña de Gato. There is also a Chinese species, "U. sinensis". The flowers also originate at the base of the leaves; each pair of leaves may have a pair of globularinflorescence s.;Selected species
*"Uncaria elliptica " R.Br. & G. Don (Malaysia)
*"Uncaria gambir " Roxb. - Gambier (Malaysia)
*"Uncaria guianensis " J.F.Gmel. (Guyana)
*"Uncaria hirsuta " Havil.
*"Uncaria homomalla " Miq. (East India, Malaysia)
*"Uncaria macrophylla " Wall. (SE Asia)
*"Uncaria rhynchophylla " (Miq.) Jacks. (China)
*"Uncaria scandens " (Sm.) Hutch.
*"Uncaria sessilifructus " Roxb.
*"Uncaria setiloba " Benth.
*"Uncaria sinensis " (Oliv.) Havil. (syn. "Nauclea sinensis")
*"Uncaria tomentosa " DC - Cat's Claw (South America)
*"Uncaria wangii " HowUses
Cat's claw ("U. tomentosa") and the Chinese species are used medicinally. The glycosidic compounds have recognized
anti-inflammatory properties, while thealkaloid s increase the reactivity oflymphocyte s, granting higher response to viral infection. Cat's claw has two varieties depending on whether thealkaloid s have four rings or five. The five-ring alkaloid variety is medicinal and is called "savéntaro" by theAsháninka .Gambier ("U. gambir") is used in Malaysia for chewing with
areca andbetel , fortanning , and fordye ing. It contains manycatechins which are known to have many medicinal properties and are components of Chinese herbal remedies and certain modern medicines. To make gambier, the leaves are first boiled in water. They absorb it and turn brownish in color. The leaves are then pressed mechanically to squeeze and extract liquid. This liquid is then dried into a semi-solid paste and molded into cubes, which are dried in the sun. Gambier is generally packed in 50 kilogram multilayered packing (PP Bags inside and gunny bags outside).References
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?12553 Germplasm Resources Information Network: "Uncaria"]
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=3&taxon_id=134135 Flora of China: "Uncaria" checklist]
* [http://www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm Cat's claw medicinal properties]
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