Devil’s Claw (Harpogophytum procumbens)
Part 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 of devil’s claw is derived from the herb’s unusual fruits, which seem to be covered with numerous small hooks. The secondary storage roots, or tuber, of the plant is employed in herbal supplements.1
In what conditions might devil’s claw be supportive?
Historical or traditional use: Numerous tribes native to Southern Africa have utilized devil’s claw for a wide variety of conditions, ranging from gastrointestinal difficulties to arthritic conditions.2 Devil’s claw has been widely used in Europe as a treatment for arthritis.
Active constituents: 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. As such, these secondary tubers contain the preferable concentration of active ingredients.3 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.4 5
Devil’s claw is also considered by herbalists to be a potent bitter. Bitter principles, like the iridoid glycosides found in devil’s claw, stimulate the stomach to increase the production of acid, thereby helping to improve digestion.
How much should I take? For use as a digestive stimulant, the dose for the powdered secondary tuber is 1.5-2 grams per day. For tincture, the recommended amount is 1-2 ml per day. For arthritis, many people use 4.5-10 grams per day. Again, recent studies do not support devil’s claw as a treatment for arthritis.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Because devil’s claw promotes stomach acid, anyone with gastric or duodenal ulcers should not use the herb.
References:
1. Tyler, VE. The Honest Herbal, 3d ed. Binghamton, NY:
Pharmaceutical Products Press 1993, 111-12.
2. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum, 1988, 238-9.
3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs,
and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 208-10.
4. Whitehouse LW, Znamirouska M, Paul CJ. Devil’s claw (Harpogophytum procumbens):
no evidence for anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of arthritic disease. Can
Med Assoc J 1983;129:249-51.
5. Grahame R, Robinson BV. Devil’s claw (Harpogophytum procumbens):
pharmacological and clinical studies. Ann Rheum Dis 1981;40:632.
Copyright © 1998 Virtual Health, LLC
It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your physician, nutritionally-oriented health care practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications.The information presented in HealthNotes Online is for informational purposes only.