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Devil's
Claw
Botanical name:
Harpagophytum
procumbens
Parts used and where
grown
Devil’s claw is a native plant of
southern Africa, especially the Kalahari desert, Namibia
and the island of Madagascar. The name devil’s claw is
derived from the herb’s unusual fruits, which are
covered with numerous small claw-like appendages. The
secondary storage roots, or tubers, of the plant are
used in herbal
supplements.1
Devil’s claw has been used
in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern
for complete information):
| Health Concerns |
|
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid
arthritis |
|
Indigestion
Low back
pain |
Historical
or traditional use (may or may not
be supported by scientific
studies)
Numerous tribes native to southern Africa
have used devil’s claw for a wide variety of conditions,
ranging from gastrointestinal difficulties to arthritic
conditions. Devil’s claw has been widely used
in Europe as a treatment for
arthritis.
Active constituents
The
devil’s claw tuber contains three important constituents
belonging to the iridoid glycoside family: harpagoside,
harpagide, and procumbide. The secondary tubers of the
herb contain twice as much harpagoside as the primary
tubers and are the chief source of devil’s claw used
medicinally. Harpagoside and other iridoid glycosides
found in the plant may be responsible for the herb’s
anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. However,
research has not entirely supported the use of devil’s
claw in alleviating arthritic pain symptoms. In one
trial it was found to reduce pain associated with
osteoarthritis as effectively as the slow-acting
analgesic/cartilage-protective drug diacerhein. One
double-blind study reported that devil’s claw (600 or
1200 mg per day) was helpful in reducing low back
pain.
Devil’s claw is also considered by
herbalists to be a potent bitter. Bitter principles,
like the iridoid glycosides found in devil’s claw, can
be used in combination with carminative (gas-relieving)
herbs by people with indigestion, but not
heartburn.
How much is usually
taken?
As a
digestive stimulant, 1.5–2 grams per day of the powdered
secondary tuber are used. For tincture, the recommended
amount is 1–2 ml three times daily. For osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis, 4.5–10 grams of powder are
used per day. Alternatively, standardized extracts,
1,200–2,500 mg per day, may be
taken.
Are there any side effects or
interactions?
Since
devil’s claw promotes the secretion of stomach acid,
anyone with gastric or duodenal ulcers, heartburn,
gastritis, or excessive stomach acid should not use the
herb. Additionally, people with gallstones should
consult a physician before taking devil’s
claw. | |
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