The Medicinal Herb Devil's Claw

Botanical Name of Devils Claw: Harpagophytum procumbens (Burchell).

Other Common Names:
Grapple plant, harpagon, wood spider.

Habitat:
The herb devil’s claw is native to southern Africa particularly the Kalahari Desert, Namibia and Madagascar.

Description:
Devil's claw is a perennial plant with tubers and many round to oval-shaped stems. The leaves have white, hairy undersides. Solitary, red to purple flowers, shaped like trumpets appear in spring followed by the fruit. The name devil’s claw comes from the hooks that cover its fruits.

Plant Parts Used:
Roots and tuber. The root is collected when the rainy season ends. The traditional use of devil’s claw by tribes in Africa involved the root being chopped and dried in the sun for three days to make medicinal preparations. The bitter preparation was used in folk tradition for its analgesic (numbing) and antipyretic (temperature reducing) properties.

European colonists took the plant back to their countries where it was used to treat arthritis. Modern day use of devil's claw is usually though standardised tablets which still contain bitter substances. Devil’s claw is also available as a tincture, liquid extract and tea. The major active ingredient is harpagoside and standardisation products can contain anything from 1-8.5% harpagoside.

Devils Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:© CITES Secretariat

Devil's Claw Root, Capsules & Tincture

Devil's Claw Root Capsules by Starwest Botanicals Devil's Claw Extract by Herb Pharm

Devil's Claw Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims

• The modern day main use of devil’s claw is as an anti-inflammatory and for pain relief for joint diseases. These effects have been proven by laboratory studies.

Devil's Claw
(Harpagophytum procumbens)
Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913
• It is recommended that devil’s claw be taken for at least 2-3 months before any effect may be experience.
• Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is thought to benefit most from the use of devil’s claw. Clinical studies support this and also suggest that devil’s claw is as effective as conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Multi-ingredient preparations for arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout often include the medicinal herb devil's claw.
• Devil’s claw is also very popular for mild joint pain.
• Back pain is another condition which is thought to be helped by devil’s claw.
• One of the traditional uses of devil’s claw is that of an herbal appetite stimulant.
• Other painful conditions that may benefit from the use of devil’s claw is headache and general nerve pain.
• Devil’s claw can also be used as a digestive tonic; the belief is that it helps in the relief of constipation, diarrhoea and flatulence.
• Traditionally, external use of liquid extracts of devil’s claw have been used for sores, ulcers, boils and various skin lesions.

Potential Side Effects of Devil's Claw

The most likely side effect of devil’s claw is stomach upsets but it has also been reported to cause headaches, ringing in the ears, loss of taste and appetite. People with allergies may react to devil’s claw. Devil’s claw should not be taken by people with gastric or duodenal ulcers. People with gall stones should consult their health providers. Pregnant and breast feeding women should not take devil’s claw. Devil’s claw extracts have theoretically been associated with interactions with blood thinning agents e.g. warfarin, and cardiac drugs so it is important to talk to your health provider if you have heart disease or are taking these drugs.

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