Types of Cat's Claw: Forms & Bioavailability

SupplementScience.ai Editorial Team·Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Published Mar 11, 2026

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Forms Comparison

Form	Bioavailability	Best For
POA-Standardized Extract	High	Anti-inflammatory — standardized to pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids for consistent potency
Bark Powder/Capsule	Moderate	Traditional use — whole bark provides full spectrum of alkaloids and tannins
Bark Tea/Decoction	Low-Moderate	Traditional Peruvian preparation — gentle and well-tolerated but variable potency

POA-Standardized Extract

Bioavailability: High. Best for: Anti-inflammatory — standardized to pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids for consistent potency.

Bark Powder/Capsule

Bioavailability: Moderate. Best for: Traditional use — whole bark provides full spectrum of alkaloids and tannins.

Bark Tea/Decoction

Bioavailability: Low-Moderate. Best for: Traditional Peruvian preparation — gentle and well-tolerated but variable potency.

Full Cat's Claw Guide

References

Mur E, Hartig F, Eibl G, Schirmer M (2002). Randomized double blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology. PubMed
Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, et al. (2001). Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. Inflammation Research. DOI PubMed
Sandoval M, Okuhama NN, Zhang XJ, et al. (2002). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis) are independent of their alkaloid content. Phytomedicine. DOI PubMed