Devil's claw, Harpagophytum procumbens DC [Fam. Pedaliaceae], is native to South Africa and Madagascar. The bitter root and its extracts have been used in folk medicine by several African tribes for their digestive aid and pain killing properties, particularly for joint pain, as well as for lowering fever. Devil's claw creams have also been used traditionally to help heal wounds, sores, boils and other skin problems. A German clinical study (1976) suggests that the plant does have anti-inflammatory properties comparable to the anti-arthritis drug, phenylbutazine. Reduction of hypercholesterolemia, high uric acid and pain were also reported. The German Commission E lists devil's claw root for treating loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints and in supportive therapy for degenerative disorders of the locomotor system (bone and joint disorders and pain). Animal studies have demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fever, mild anti-fungal and anti-arthritic effects. One double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with powdered devil's claw root showed significantly reduced bone and joint pain. Another study with lower back pain patients found significant reductions of pain after four weeks of devil's claw root treatment using 800mg taken three times daily. According to Dr. James Duke in The CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, the tubers are also used in an ointment to heal abnormal skin growths in southern and eastern Africa. There is one frequently sited case of one South African woman who suffered from an abnormal growth on her skin and was reputedly cured. The ointment is also traditionally rubbed on the abdomen of pregnant women who expect a difficult delivery, and the dried tubers given internally (ca. 250mg twice daily) to relieve pain in pregnant women (smaller doses are used post partem). The tuber ingested directly is purgative; infusions are traditionally used to reduce fevers of all kinds, including those caused by malaria and blood diseases.

 

Recent Positive Clinical Trial Results:
A recent (2001) open, multicentre study evaluated the clinical effectiveness and tolerance of a Devil's Claw extract in 130 patients suffering from back pain over a period of at least 6 months. Patients were treated twice a day with tablets containing 480 mg extract. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. The results showed a significant improvement of pain symptoms and mobility of the affected sections of the patient's spine in the course of treatment. No serious side effects were observed. Researchers concluded that the extract was an effective plant alternative for the treatment of chronic back pain.

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J 2000. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Copyright American Botanical Council. Publ. by Integrative Medicine Communications, 1029 Chestnut Street, Newton, MA 02464. Pp. 84-87.

 

Duke JA. 1985. Harpagophytum procumbens DC (Pedaliaceae) – Devil's claw, Grapple plant. In Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, p. 222.

 

Laudahn D, Walper A. 2001. Efficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum extract LI 174 in patients with chronic non-radicular back pain. Phytother Res. 2001 Nov; 15(7): 621-4.

 

Newall CA, Anderson LA, and Phillipson JD. 1996. Uva-Ursi. In Herbal Medicines. A Guide for Health Care Professionals. The Pharmaceutical Press, London, pp. 98-99.

 

Wichtl M (ed). 1994. Harpagophyti radix – Devil's claw. In Herbal Drugs and Phyto-pharmaceuticals. (English translation by Norman Grainger Bisset). CRC Press, Stuttgart, pp. 248-250.