Medicinal Plants : Harpogophytum procumbens

Name

Devil's Claw

Biological Name

Harpogophytum procumbens

Other Names

Devil's Claw

Parts Used

Root and Tuber.

Active Compounds

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.

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.

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.

History

Numerous tribes native to southern Africa have utilized 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.

Remedies For

Devil's claw is useful in:

Indigestion and heartburn
Rheumatoid arthritis

Description

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 seem to be covered with numerous small hooks. The secondary storage roots, or tuber, of the plant are employed in herbal supplements.

Dosage

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 take 4.5-10 grams per day. Again, recent studies do not support devil's claw as a treatment for arthritis.

Safety

Because devil's claw promotes stomach acid, anyone with gastric or duodenal ulcers should not use the herb.