Devil's claw is the common name for Harpagophytum procumbens
and
Harpagophytum zeyheri, which belong to the sesame family.
Originally from southern Africa and Madagascar, they are now found in the
savannas and on the outskirts of the Kalahari Desert in South Africa and
Namibia. Both plants are used to make the devil's claw root, or Harpagophytum
radix. Medical researchers have found that devil's claw root can
reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
For thousands of years the Khoisan peoples of
the Kalahari Desert have used devil's claw root, in remedies for treating pain
and complications of pregnancy and in topical ointments for treating skin
problems. Today, devil's claw is sold as a digestive aid and appetite stimulant.
It also has mild pain-relieving action.
Plant Description
Devil's claw doesn't have an odor, but it contains substances that make it
taste bitter. It is a leafy perennial with branching roots and shoots. It has
secondary roots, or tubers, that grow out of the main and lateral roots.
What's It Made Of?
Devil's claw herbal preparations are made from sliced or pulverized dried
tubers. You can make teas (infusions) from commercially available dried devil's
claw root. The tubers contain active compounds called monoterpenes, of which
harpagoside is the most important active compound.
Available Forms
Devil's claw is available as whole or ground root tubers. You can make teas
(infusions) from dried devil's claw root.
How to Take It
Health care providers use devil's claw root to treat loss of appetite,
rheumatism, arthritis, fever, myalgia, tendinitis, gastrointestinal problems,
and liver and gallbladder problems. Devil's claw is also an effective therapy
for degenerative musculoskeletal conditions (disorders of locomotive system). It
is also used as a pain reliever (analgesic), sedative, and diuretic.
Studies in animals have shown that devil's claw reduces the inflammation
associated with arthritis. However, other studies have not demonstrated any
anti-inflammatory properties. Devil's claw seems to work differently from most
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Its active compound, harpagoside
(or a related compound called harpagide) is changed into another substance
inside the body. The new substance, harpagogenin, may be the active ingredient
that actually decreases the inflammation associated with arthritis.
You can take devil's claw as a dried root, a liquid extract, or a tincture
(solution made from herb and alcohol, or herb, alcohol, and water). If you are
taking it for a serious medical condition such as rheumatism, always first
consult with your health care provider.
Recommended dosages for general use:
- Dried tuber: Take 0.1 to 0.25 g 3 times a day, encapsulated or
made as decoction (liquid prepared by boiling down herb in water)
- Liquid extract (1:1 in 25 percent alcohol): Take 0.1 to 0.25 ml
3 times a day
- Tincture (1:5 in 25 percent alcohol): Take 0.5 to 1.0 ml 3 times
a day
Precautions
Devil's claw is nontoxic and safe, with virtually no side effects if taken in
the recommended therapeutic doses. However, no one yet knows for sure whether
devil's claw may be toxic if you take it long-term. And if you've been diagnosed
with gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, or gallstones, you shouldn't take devil's
claw unless your health care provider recommends it.
Devil's claw is cardioactive, which means it can act on the heart. If you
have a serious medical condition, you should not use this herb without the
advice of a qualified health care provider.
Some people think that devil's claw can cause miscarriage, but there is no
scientific evidence that this is true. If you are pregnant, you should check
with your health care provider before taking devil's claw or any other herbal
supplement.
Possible Interactions
No harmful drug interactions have been reported.
Supporting Research
Baghdikian B, Lanhers M, Fleurentin J, et al. An
analytical study, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Harpagophytum
procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri. Planta Med.
1997;63:171–176.
Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs:
Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, Mass: Integrative
Medicine Communications; 1998.
Bradley P, ed. British Herbal Compendium. Dorset, England:
British Herbal Medicine Association; 1992;1:96–98.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1996. 4th ed. Dorset,
England: British Herbal Medicine Association; 1996.
Costa de Pasquale R, Busa G, Circosta C, et al. A
drug used in traditional medicine: Harpagophytum procumbens
DC. III. Effects on hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias by reperfusion.
J
Ethnopharmacology. 1985;(13):193-9.
Grahame R, Robinson B. Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens):
pharmacological and clinical
studies. Ann Rheum
Dis. 1981;40:632.
Guyader M. 1984. Les plantes antirhumatismales.
Etude historique et pharmacologique, et etude clinique du nebulisat
d'Harpagophytum
procumbens DC chez 50 patients arthrosiques sivis en service
hospitalier. Paris: Universite Pierre et Marie Curie.
Lanhers MC, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, Vinche A,
Younos C. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of an aqueous extract of
Harpagophytum procumbens.
Planta Med. 1992;58:117–123.
Mabberley DJ. The Plant-Book: A Portable Dictionary of the Higher
Plants. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press;
1987.
McLeod D, et al. Investigations of Harpagophytum procumbens
(Devil's Claw) in the treatment of experimental inflammation and
arthritis in the rat. Br J
Pharmacol. 1979;66:140P
Moussard C, Alber D, Toubin M, Thevenon N, Henry JC.
A drug used in traditional medicine, Harpagophytum procumbens: no
evidence for
NSAID-like effect on whole blood eicosanoid production in human.
Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty
Acids. 1992;46:283–286.
Newall C, Anderson L, Phillipson J. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for
Health-care Professionals. London, England: Pharmaceutical
Press; 1996.
Occhiuto F, Circosta C, Ragusa S, Ficarra P, Costa
De Pasquale R. A drug used in traditional medicine: Harpagophytum procumbens
DC. IV.
Effects on some isolated muscle preparations. J Ethnopharmacol.
1985;13:201–208.
Schulz V, Hänsel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A
Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. Berlin, Germany:
Springer-Verlag; 1998.
Soulimani R, Younos C, Mortier F, et al. The role of stomach digestion on the
pharmacological activity of plant extracts, using as an example extracts of
Harpagophytum procumbens.Can J Physiol Pharmacol.
1994;72(12):1532–1536.
Tyler VE. The Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs
and Related Remedies. 3rd ed. Binghampton, NY: Pharmaceutical
Products Press; 1993.
Whitehouse L, et al. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum
procumbens): no evidence for anti-inflammatory activity in the
treatment of arthritic disease. Can Med Assoc J. 1983;129:249–251.
Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine
Communications
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