Devil’s Claw: properties and uses of this great remedy against pain

He great herbal remedy to soothe joint pain and to treat rheumatism is an African tuber: the devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC.). For his exceptional analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties It is used to alleviate everything from low back pain and neck pain to sore or inflamed muscles from sports or muscle overload.

The devil’s claw, sometimes abbreviated as devil’s claw, is also known as devil’s claw, devil’s claw in English, for the hook-shaped spines that crown its capsule fruits. It grows naturally in the kalahari desert (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana). The native peoples of the area – the Khoisans or Bushmen, with a semi-nomadic life – have been using it since ancient times to solve digestive problems, to reduce fever and to combat pain, but also to heal skin wounds.

Is a creeping plant, with large and solitary flowers, tubular and somewhat fleshy, purple in color, triangular leaves and underground stems or elongated tubers, with yellowish-white pulp and a very bitter taste. Are these tubers used for medicinal purposes.

The use of devil’s claw for its properties and health benefits has become popular in recent years and its massive harvest in its natural environment was jeopardizing the survival of this valuable plant and harming the native peoples who have always made a measured and sustainable use of it. As a consequence, crops have been arranged in other regions, even outside of Africa. The truth is that today the devil’s claw is fine present in any herbalist and in many pharmacies through different products.

Devil’s claw properties

The devil’s claw tuber contains iridoid glycosides, especially harpagoside, which is hydrolyzed to harpagogenin. It also contains other iridoids, such as harpágido, procumbido and procumbosido, responsible for its intensely bitter taste.

also owns phenolic acids, phytosterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol), phenylpropanic heterosides, triterpenesstachyose in abundance, traces of essential oil and harpagoquinone.

Due to these properties, and as can be seen from various clinical studies, devil’s claw properties are attributed to analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, diuretic, digestive, appetite stimulant, choleretic, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, lipid-lowering, hypoglycemic and healing properties.

Read Also: 4 applications with turmeric for the health and beauty of the skin

It could also have a slight activity as a cardiovascular tonic and an antipyretic action, to reduce the tenths of fever.

What is the devil’s claw used for?

The devil’s claw is used to combat pain of various kinds, as well as for other medicinal purposes, as we will see below.

Devil’s claw for rheumatism

The devil’s claw is today the great herbal remedy to combat rheumatic pain.

Some of its active ingredients, such as beta-sistosterols, could inhibit the formation of enzymes, prostaglandin synthetase, which participate in the inflammatory processand that favor the appearance of periods of prolonged or chronic pain.

The devil’s claw is indicated as an analgesic and natural anti-inflammatoryas an alternative to pharmacological treatments with corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or similar, as a means to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Devil’s claw for muscle pain

Devil’s claw is also used to relieve pain in low back pain and cervicalitisfor sports injuries such as tendonitis, sprains, muscle strainseven with rupture of muscle fibers, in bursitisetc.

It is also used as muscle relaxantafter overexertion or tiring sports practice, and in myalgias.

Finally, it serves to relieve pain and inflammation in injuries, blows and fractures.

Harpagus and blood pressure

Harpagus, as a powerful diuretic, can help to lower blood pressure naturally, but in this case it is preferable to associate it with other more specifically indicated herbs, such as hawthorn, orthosiphon, nettle, birch, chicory, corn or olive leaves.

Other benefits of devil’s claw

Due to its content in bitter compounds, the devil’s claw is an ideal plant for stimulate the appetite in listless or convalescent people.

Relieves gastrointestinal spasms and the feeling of upset stomach.

Read Also: Cupping on the skin: What is cupping and what is it for?

It can help moderate the blood cholesterol levels and a slight antidiabetic effect is attributed to it, although there is no scientific literature to support it.

Harpagus, associated with other herbs, is intended for tone liver function and to prevent the formation of stones in the gallbladder.

Its diuretic and anti-inflammatory activity make harpagus a good resource to treat inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) and bladderand to combat fluid retention.

Devil’s claw is indicated as a good muscle relaxant, which relieves accumulated tension after periods of stress, restlessness or difficulties. Nevertheless, it has not been proven that it can work to treat anxiety nervous.

Does the devil’s claw lose weight?

Due to its powerful diuretic action, harpago helps to increase diuresis and fights overweight related to fluid retention. For this, treatments of a certain continuity are required, associated with other suitable herbs, such as corn stigmas, buchú, bearberry, savory, nettle and others. Consult your trusted herbalist.

How is hapagophyte used?

The most usual is in the form of capsules, between 300 and 420 mg.

In order to appreciate results of improvement in rheumatismsand treatments of at least three months are required duration at appropriate doses. There is a wide range of products with harpago capsules, also visible on the internet and very present in herbalists and many pharmacies.

In fluid extractabout 50 drops daily in three doses. In the form of powderabout 3 g daily tincturediluted in water or with fruit juice, two tablespoons a day. decoction of the dried or pulverized tubercombined with other anti-inflammatory and analgesic plants, up to two glasses a day, drunk on an empty stomach.

contraindications

the devil’s claw should not be taken under any circumstances during pregnancy. It may show some oxytocic action.

It is also discouraged during lactation perioddue to its high bitter content that could interfere if the baby is breastfed.

Read Also: Why is intermittent fasting healthier than a diet to lose weight?

It is also contraindicated in case of gastritis, irritable colon, gastroduodenal ulcer, bile duct obstructionetc.

At low or recommended doses, harpagus tuber does not present toxicity, but at high or very high doses it could interfere with some medicationssuch as cardiovascular (antiarrhythmic, hypo and hypertensive, etc) and antidiabetic.

How to make devil’s claw infusion

With harpagofito we can prepare different tisanes or infusions depending on the use we want to give it. Here are three examples of devil’s claw infusion or tea.

for joint pain

This is a decoction of devil’s claw that is prepared with other related plants and star anise to soften the flavor.

Ingredients:

Devil’s Claw Calaguala Dandelion Star Anise

Preparation:

Mix the plants well in equal parts. Separate a tablespoon of the mixture for each cup of water. Boil for 3 minutes and let it rest for 10 more minutes. Add stevia or another natural sweetener.

for lumbago

In this analgesic and anti-inflammatory infusion, the devil’s claw is combined with other plants that fight inflammation and reinforce its calming action. Star anise is included to enhance the flavor.

Ingredients:

Devil’s Claw Meadowsweet Viburnum White Willow Yarrow Star Anise

Preparation:

Mix the plants in equal parts. Separate 2 tablespoons of the mixture per pint of water. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Let stand and strain.

Up to three glasses a day are taken, better on an empty stomach.