C
APA); Dermatosis (f; HH3); Diabetes (f; 60P); Dysmenorrhea (f; PH2); Dyspepsia (f; APA); Edema
(1; APA; HH3; SKY); Enterosis (f; APA); Fever (1; HH3); Gastrosis (f; APA; HH3); Gout (1; JAD);
Hemorrhoid (1; APA); Herpes (1; HH3); High Blood Pressure (1; PH2); HIV (1; APA); Immun-
odepression (1; APA; HH3; SKY); Immune Dysfunction (1; APA; SKY); Infection (1; HH3);
Inflammation (1; APA; PH2; SKY); Leukemia (1; PH2); Melanoma (1; APA; 60P); Neurodermatosis
(f; HH3); Prostatosis (1; APA); Rhinovirus (1; HH3); Stomatosis (1; HH3); Swelling (1; APA;
HH3; PH2); Thrombosis (1; PH2); Tumor (1; APA; HH3); Ulcer (f; APA); Virus (1; APA; HH3;
60P); Wound (f; HH3); Yeast (f; APA).
Dosages (Cat’s Claw) — 1 g root/cup tea 3 ×/day (SKY); 20 g root bark/liter water (HH3); 30
g powdered root/800 ml water simmered to 500 ml (PH2); 1–2 (500 mg) bark capsules 3 ×/day
(APA); 1–2 (500 mg) capsules 3 ×/day (NH); 2 (505 mg) StX capsules/day (NH); 20–60 mg
StX; 1 tbsp decoction (SF); 1–2 ml tincture 1–2 ×/day (SKY). Fernando Cabieses seems to
believe the folk contraceptive dosage, boiling 11–13 pounds root until it is reduced to 1 cup
(pretty tricky).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Cat’s Claw) — Class 4 (AHP). Too new
to have much toxicity data, I think it is as innocuous as coffee. But only time will tell. Foster
cautions that, like other immunostimulants, including his favorite, echinacea, cat’s claw should
be avoided in such immune disorders as HIV, multiple sclerosis, and tuberculosis. Not shown
safe in children and lactating or pregnant women (SF). Yet APA reports the folklore of European
reports suggesting that cat’s claw, taken with AZT, can be beneficial in patients with AIDS
(APA). AHP cites Ken Jones, who contraindicates for patients receiving organ transplants or
skin grafts, hemophiliacs prescribed fresh blood plasma; simultaneous administration of certain
vaccines, hormone therapies, insulin, and thymus extracts (AHP). Not for children under 3
years (AHP). PH2 warns of precipitous drops in estradiol and progesterone serum levels
following 8 weeks use. Extracts prevent estrogen from binding to estrogen receptors on breast
cancer cells.
Extracts (Cat’s Claw) — Oxyindole alkaloids stimulate the immune system (SKY). Isopteropodine
stimulates phagocytosis EC13.6 = 1 μg/l; EC55.3 = 10 mg/l; isomitraphylline, isorhynchophylline,
and peropodine only half as effective at 1 μg/l (HH3). Alkaloids and glycosides may account for
antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities (SKY). Sterols antiinflammatory (PH2). Hirsutine
blocks ganglia and induces dopamine release. Tanniniferous extracts contraceptive(6.25–25 mg/kg
mouse) (HH3). Quinovic-acid-glycosides, antiviral, antirhinoviral with MIC ca 20-30 μg, but toxic
at around 80 μg/ml (TD50 = 80 μg/ml) (HH3). LD50 (acidic extract) = >300 iprl mouse (HH3),
LD50 (acidic extract) = >16,000 orl mouse (HH3).
CAULIFLOWER (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) +++
The USDA lists only two varieties of cauliflower, the darker purple one, Brassica oleracea var.
italica, probably richer in anthocyanins. Activities and indications below largely based on phy-
tochemical constituents that are widespread in Brassica and Brassicaceae.
Activities (Cauliflower) — Antiatherosclerotic (1; SN159:391); Antibacterial (1; WO2); Antima-
culitic (1; JNU); Antinitrosaminic (1; JNU); Antinyctalopic (1; JNU); Antiproliferant (1; JNU);
Antioxidant (f; JN126:2098); Antiradicular (f; JN126:2098); Antiretinitic (1; JNU); Antitumor,
breast (1; PS131:95; JNU); Antitumor, colon (1; ACN71:575; JNU); Antitumor, lung (1; JNU);
Antitumor, skin (1; JNU); Antiviral (1; JNU); Detoxicant (1; JNU); Estrogenic (1; JNU); Glucu-
ronidase-Inhibitor (1; M11); Goitrogenic (1; WO2); Hypocholesterolemic (1; JNU); Prooxidant (1;
JAF44:2096); Quinone-Reductase-Inducer (1; PS131:95).