Cat's Claw

I have an elderly mother 71 yrs old who insists on taking Cat's Claw. Shes been having some problems which I don't feel any kind of medicine or herbs can help. But she feels that this one works. She has Parkinsons, arthritis, a hearing problem which requires hearing aids. But latley she has been hearing voices, insisting its her neighbors, but we have checked, anyways she says it's because she hasn't taken her catsclaw. Please tell me what you know about this herb. We have recommened she go to a doctor.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is an immune stimulator and anti-inflammatory. It has been used with success in arthritis and rheumatism, chronic infections, gastritis and duodenal ulcers. Studies have shown that it may also be useful in AIDS, allergies, lupus, skin disorders, chronic fatigue, various forms of herpes, cancer and candida. Research has identified alkaloid constituents that are responsible for it's immune strengthening action, and believe that this may be the reason that it has been used by the natives of Peru for centuries to treat tumours.