Devil’s Claw
Cecelia Kaiser, Student Pharmacist, Spring of 2022
Scientific Name: Harpagophytum procumbens, Grapple Plant, Wood Spider 1 What is it? Devil’s Claw is a leafy perennial native to southern Africa, consisting of fruits covered in small hooks (where the common name is derived from), and branchlike roots and See Reference 8 off-shoots. The plant has secondary roots known as tubers, and these are used with the roots themselves to create medicine.1 This plant has been highly valued by Namibian natives, who have used it to treat a variety of conditions.3
What is it used for? Devil’s Claw is commonly purported to be a treatment for osteoarthritis and back or neck pain. Some herbalists claim that it can also be used to treat loss of appetite and upset stomach, in addition to headache and fever.1 One source claimed that Devil’s Claw could be used to treat or otherwise relieve all of the following: arteriosclerosis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bladder weakness, blood impurities, cholesterol, diabetes, gall bladder, gall stones, gout, headaches, inflammation, and many other disorders.3
How does it work? Devil’s Claw is known to contain iridoid glycosides, naturally occurring compounds known for their ability to reduce inflammation, among other things. The specific moieties identified within this plant species include harpagoside, harpagide, 8-coumaroyl-harpagide, and pagoside. The mechanism of these species is believed to be the “inhibition of cysteinyl-leukotrienes and TBX2, suppression [of] PGE2 synthesis and NO production by inhibiting LPSstimulated enhancement of the COXe-2 and iNOS mRNAs expressions.” See Reference 9
How should I take it? Devil’s Claw can be obtained as tablets, capsules, teas, topical ointments, liquid extracts, or as fresh or dried roots to be added to home remedies or recipes for the previously mentioned forms1. No formal research exists indicating safety or common dosages, however a brief search across the internet found several different brands available for purchase See Reference 5 that had dosing shown on them 4,5,6. Brand Nature’s Way Devil’s Claw (see Reference 4) Herb Pharm Devil’s Claw (see Reference 5) Earthborn Elements Devil’s Claw (see Reference 6)
Daily Dosing Two capsules twice daily (2 x 960 mg) twice daily = 3.84 g/day
Dosage Form and Ingredient Capsule; Devil’s Claw (tuber)
One full squeeze of the dropper bulb (0.7 mL) in 2 oz. of water or juice 2-4 times daily, preferably between meals Four servings (623 mg/serving = 2.492 g/day)
Liquid Extract; Devil’s Claw secondary tuber extract
Two capsules 1-3 times daily, preferably with meals and with at least 8 oz of water. Two capsules (800 mg) three times daily = 4.8g/day
Capsule; Devil’s Claw
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