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Devil's Claw
(Harpagophytum procumbens)
Description
Devil’s claw is a native herb of southern Africa. Traditionally,
Devil’s claw has been used in the management of Inflammation.
Herbal Use
Devil’s claw has anti-inflammatory,
antirheumatic, analgesic, sedative and diuretic properties.
The herb is traditionally used in the management of muscle
Pain and Inflammation.
Suggested Intakes
Part of the plant used:
ROOT.
Herb powder 0.1-0.25g three
times daily.
Supplemental Uses
Devils claw has been used
for Arthritis, Gout, muscle Pain and forms of muscular rheumatism,
lower back pain and rheumatic disease in general. It also
improves appetite and relieves mild stomach upset.
Anti-inflammatory:
Studies on devil’s claw have shown that extracts of
this herb contain anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties
(1-3). However, this needs to be studied further.
Irregular Heart
beats:
Devil’s claw extracts have reduced irregular heartbeats
caused by adrenaline and some heart drugs (4,5).
Gut Calming:
Studies on devil’s claw have shown that the harpagoside
fraction calms the contractions in the gut caused by barium
Chloride (used for X-rays of the Digestive System) and acetylcholine
(the body’s own chemical messenger which stimulates
the nerves) (6).
Anti-fungal:
Studies have confirmed that devil’s claw has weak anti-fungal
properties (7).
Arthritis:
More studies need to be conducted on devil's claw to confirm
its use for Arthritis (8,9,10).
Safety and Precautions
One arthritic patient experienced
a Headache in the morning, Tinnitus (ringing in the ears),
anorexia and a loss of taste whilst taking devil’s claw.
No side effects were reported by other patients taking devil’s
claw.
Pregnant and lactating women
should consult with a qualified medical health professional
before taking devil’s claw.
Devil’s claw is not
suitable for use by children.
Interactions and Contra-Indications
Devil’s claw should
not be taken by diabetics without the supervision of a qualified
health professional (the herb has a hypoglycaemic action -
lowers blood sugar).
Devil’s claw is not
recommended for use by individuals with cardiac disorders
or those on therapy for blood pressure (both high and low).
References
1. Erdös A et
al. Beitrag zur pharmakologie und toxikologie verschiedener
extrakte, sowie des harpagosids aus Harpagophytum procumbens
DC. Planta Med, 34:97-108, 1978.
2. Lanhers M-C et al. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
of an aqueous extract of Harpagophytum procumbens. Planta
Med, 58:117-123, 1992.
3. Bhattacharya A. Bhattacharya SK. Antioxidant activity of
Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw). Brit. J. of Phytotherapy
5;2: 68-71.
4. Circosta C et al. A drug used in traditional medicine:
Harpagophytum procumbens DC. II. Cardiovascular activity.
J Ethnopharmacol, 11:259-274, 1984.
5. Costa de Pasquale R et al. A drug used in traditional medicine:
Harpagophytum procumbens DC. III. Effects on hyperkinetic
ventricular arrhythmias by reperfusion. J Ethnopharmacol,
13:193-199, 1985.
6. Occhiuto F et al. A drug used in traditional medicine Harpagophytum
procumbens DC IV. Effects on some isolated muscle preparations.
J Ethnopharmacol, 13:201-208, 1985.
7. Guérin J-c and Réveillère H-P. Activité
antifongique d'extraits végétaux à uSage
thérapeutique II. Étude de 40 extraits sur 9
souches fongiques. Ann Pharmaceut Francaises, 43:77-81, 1985.
8. "Herbal Medicines", C A Newall, L A Anderson,
J D Phillipson, The Pharmaceutical Press,1996.
9. Lecomte A, et al. Harpagophytum dans l'arthrose: Etude
en double insu contre placebo. Le Magazine 15: 27-30, 1992.
10. ESCOP monograph. Fascicule 2: Harpagophyti radix (devil's
claw). Exeter, UK: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy,
1997. | 
