DEVILS CLAW - Harpagophytum procumbens

Country Park

A native of South and Eastern Africa.  Used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, it is useful for treating pain in a range of joint and muscular problems.  The bitter action of Devils Claw stimulates and tones the digestive system.  As it is thought that most arthritic conditions are associated with poor digestion and absorption of food, Devils Claw has a stimulant effect on the stomach and gall bladder which contributes to its use as an anti-arthritic remedy.

Herbalist use devil's claw for degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis, for back pain, and as an appetite stimulant and digestive tonic.

Scientific evidence supports the use of devil's claw root to help relieve pain and inflammation in animals with arthritis and other painful disorders. In addition to the treatment of these and other painful disorders, many professional herbalists consider devil's claw to be useful for upset stomach, headaches, allergies, and fever.

Topical preparations of devil's claw are also applied to the surface of the skin to heal sores, ulcers, boils, and skin lesions.

Devil's claw contains iridoid glycosides, components believed to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. Harpagoside (one type of iridoid) is highly concentrated in devil's claw root and has been reported in some laboratory studies to have significant pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.