Botanical name: Harpagophytum procumbens
© Martin Wall
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):
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.2
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.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 In one trial it was found to
reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis as
effectively as the slow-acting analgesic/cartilage-protective drug diacerhein.6 One
double-blind study reported that devil’s claw (600 or 1200 mg per day) was helpful in
reducing low back pain.7
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.8 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.9
Are there any drug
interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with devil’s claw. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.
References:1. Tyler VE. The Honest Herbal, 3d ed. Binghamton, NY:
Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1993, 111–2.
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
(Harpagophytum 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 (Harpagophytum
procumbens): pharmacological and clinical studies. Ann Rheum Dis
1981;40:632.
6. Chantre P, Cappelaere A, Leblan D, et al. Efficacy and tolerance of
Harpagophytum procumbens versus diacerhein in treatment of osteoarthritis.
Phytomed 2000;7:177–83.
7. Chrubasik S, Zimpfer C, Schutt U, Ziegler R. Effectiveness of
Harpagophytum procumbens in treatment of acute low back pain. Phytomed
1996;3:1–10.
8. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete
Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative
Medicine Communications, 1998, 120–1.
9. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete
Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative
Medicine Communications, 1998, 120–1.