Cat's claw tea originated in South America, but has become popular in North America in recent years. People drink it not so much for its taste as for its supposed health benefits. Advocates believe the tea is a powerful anti-inflammatory and that it reduces cancer risk. While its benefits have not been proven, one thing is certain: Making cat's claw tea is easy.
Pour boiling water into a cup and add a few drops of lemon juice. The acid from the lemon juice will release the tannins in the tea.
Add the cat's claw to the cup. If your cat's claw is ground, use 1 to 2 tsp. in a typical tea strainer. If you are using cat's claw bark, add one to two average-sized pieces.
Let the cat's claw steep for five to 10 minutes. Remove the strainer from the cup. If you are using bark, remove the bark with a spoon.
Sweeten the tea to taste. Cat's claw tea does not have a very good natural flavor. Consider adding honey or spices to improve the taste.