Starwest Botanicals Cat's Claw Inner Bark Powder Wildcrafted, 1 Pound

I have been buying dried herbs and botanicals for many years. It's really important that what you buy is fresh and has not been sitting around on a shelf or in storage for many years because then it will likely be much less effective. As soon as I got this package of Cat's Claw from Starwest Botanicals I gave it a preliminary exam; the color was rich (instead of faded, as is common with older product) and the smell was potent (again, another thing that tends to fade with prolonged storage). This reassured me that this was actually a fresh product that hadn't been sitting around in a warehouse somewhere for a long time.At first I made a decoction with it (boiled it for 20 minutes, as is customary with roots), but the resulting tea was incredibly bitter (as it's supposed to be). I thought I could tolerate it, but it turns out that it's too bitter for me. Since the bark is shredded very fine, almost powdery, I was able to encapsulate it in gelatin capsules. Not the easiest thing in the world, but definitely doable. I combined the capsules with some ascorbic acid mixed in water since I read that consuming Cat's Claw with something acidic aids the absorption. I'm not sure if this is true since it is incredibly difficult to find information on the best ways to ingest it. There is, however, a lot of research on using Cat's Claw for various health issues.Overall, I'm pleased with the quaility of this product and I would feel confident buying other botanicals from this company. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and if you found this helpful, consider leaving me feedback - I really appreciate it!

We started using Cat’s Claw as a natural alternative for our German Shepherd after deciding to take her off Apoquel due to concerns about long-term side effects and the high cost. Our GSD suffered from severe allergy symptoms—she would scratch her ears until they bled, constantly shake her head (resulting in hematomas), and was losing hair around her eyes. Her belly skin had turned black and leathery, resembling elephant skin. She was in a cone almost 24/7 to prevent further injury. Apoquel was the only thing that had worked up until that point, but we were desperate for a safer, long-term solution.To our amazement, Cat’s Claw began working after just a few doses. Her ears cleared up, the constant discomfort and scratching stopped, and her skin and coat started to heal. Within a short time, her fur grew back, her skin looked healthy again, and the dreaded cone was no longer necessary. She is now cone-free, comfortable, and allergy-free without any of the harsh side effects of Apoquel.We also gave Cat’s Claw to our Corgi to test for general allergy relief, but noticed an increase in water intake and some accidents in the house. Once we stopped giving it to him, those issues resolved. So while our German Shepherd had absolutely no adverse reactions and saw huge benefits, it may not be ideal for every dog—each pet may respond differently.Pros:Natural alternative to prescription allergy medsCleared up severe ear and skin issues quicklyNo side effects for our GSDCost-effective and easy to administerCons:May not be suitable for all dogs (caused increased thirst/urination in our Corgi)I’ve since recommended Cat’s Claw to numerous other pet owners online facing similar struggles with dog allergies, and I truly believe it can be a game changer. If you’re looking for a natural, effective alternative to Apoquel, this is absolutely worth trying.

Very fresh cats claw bark. Comes in a wonderful resealable bag. Works just as good as the Chinese version. Great for back pain or inflammation. Consistency is a very fine powder so it would be great for capping. I use another vendor that doesnt have the milling capabilities to get it down this airy. I definitely prefer this grind. I just take a teaspoon and wash it down with lemon tea. Lemon activates the cats claw. Beware that cats claw is also a diuretic so drink lots of water.Overall a great product and I would definitely buy from this company again.

Great herb to have during the flue season. Plus star botanical usually sell very potent herbs

I follow Medical Medium and this Cat’s Claw powder is part of my morning tea.

Brought Jul 9, 2016 at 13.02 was a great price. Very fine powder form. After soaking with hot water there are some fine wood pulp so it is a real thing from bark. Like the color and aroma, fresh. 4 stars because there is no statement if the herb is irradiated (a process gets rid of microorganisms but also destroys nutrients) or not.The most common dosage form in a modern day is probably the capsule. Those suffering from arthritis have had success with doses of 100 mg a day (osteo arthritis) or three doses of 60 mg a day (rheumatoid arthritis). Alternatively, a single serving of tea might be beneficial for those suffering from general aches and pains. - See more at: vitaminsestore.com/cats-claw-benefits-reviews-side-effects-and-dosage/#sthash.Z5Maxw0V.dpufI took 1/2 tsp with green tea powder, almond powder, brew the mixture in hot water and added milk. Recent past increase to 1 tsp and hours (8-12) later soles and palms felt itchy. Stop for 1 day, not itches. Now reduce to 1/4 tsp.

Good

As usual, you to Amazon prime's efficiency, this product was delivered very quickly so that I could start using it right away. It's a wonderful product, quality seems very good so am happy to support this product with a great review as is deserved!