Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq.

Cakar kucing (Uncaria rhynchophylla) is a vine up to 8 meters long of the Rubiaceae family, native to China and used by the Chinese and Japanese for centuries. In traditional Chinese medicine, this plant is used to address epileptic seizures, while in Japan it is used to relieve hypertension and headaches. Cakar kucing is also believed to protect the nervous system from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Cakar kucing grows well in light (sandy), medium (loamy), and heavy (clay) soils. Acidic, neutral to alkaline soil pH. This plant grows in shaded or partially shaded places and prefers moist soil.

• Stem smooth, small branches rounded-oblong.
• Leaves opposite, ovate or oval, edges flat or slightly wavy with single or double curved hooks growing from the leaf axils.
• Flowers compound, consisting of many small yellow flowers forming a ball shape (20-25 mm diameter). Corolla thin tube-shaped, forming 5 open lobes at the tip.
• Fruit splits open, seeds small with wings on both ends.

Propagated generatively (seed) and vegetatively (cuttings).

Flavonoid, terpenoid, rhynchophylline, α-tocopherol, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, isocorynoxeine, hirsuteine (120-60), hirsutine (120-7), corynantheine (120-8), dihydrocorynantheine (120-9), phenylpropanoid, ursolic acid lactone, quercetin, epicatechin, oxindole.

Protects the nervous system in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and depression, antioxidant, lowers blood pressure, headache, remedy for epileptic seizures, nephritis or anemia, hypertension.

• Choose good quality cakar kucing stems.
• Wash thoroughly with running water, drain.
• Dry the material for several days until moisture content reaches 10%, grind.
• Store the dried material in a clean, airtight plastic bag/container.

Cakar elang, Gou-Teng (China).