Devil's claw for powerful pain relief: use this herb to ease arthritis and promote digestion

Better Nutrition, Sept, 2006 by Amber D. Ackerson

Herb: Davel's claw

LATIN NAME: Harpagophytum procumbens

PARTS USED: Secondary tubers

BACKGROUND ON DEVIL'S CLAW:

Devil's claw is native to South Africa, Namibia and Madagascar. The name is derived from the appearance of the fruits, which have claw-like protuberances.

WHAT IT DOES BEST:

Devil's claw is used primarily for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects in osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, and for nonspecific lower back pain. Devil's claw is a bitter herb that promotes digestive acid secretion, and is thus also used to aid digestion.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:

The active ingredients thought to be responsible for the herb's anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects are the chemical compounds harpagoside, harpagide and procumbide.

RESEARCH FINDINGS:

According to a review published in the July 2004 issue of the German journal Orthopade, aqueous (water-based) extracts of devil's claw significantly reduce pain and inflammation due to arthritis and nonspecific lower back pain.

Researchers also noted a lower incidence of adverse effects with devil's claw compared with synthetic analgesics.

A separate review published in the September 2004 issue of BioMed Central (BMC) Complementary and Alternative Medicine strongly supports the effectiveness of aqueous extracts of devil's claw (with 50mg of harpagoside) for sudden flare-ups of chronic lower back pain. Moderate effectiveness was also found for devil's claw powder (with 60mg of harpagoside) in people with osteoarthritis of the hip, knee and spine.

In a report published in the November 2003 issue of the Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, test-tube studies suggest that devil's claw works by suppressing production of prostaglandin E(2) and nitric oxide, two inflammation-promoting compounds.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:

Do not use if you have ulcers, heartburn or gastritis, as devil's claw promotes stomach acid production and could exacerbate these conditions. Consult a doctor before using if you have gallstones.

PREGNANCY WARNING:

Devil's claw should not be used by pregnant women, as it may cause uterine contractions and miscarriage.

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

Do not use devil's claw if you are taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or platelet-inhibiting drugs such as triclopidine. One patient on warfarin was reported to have bleeding under the skin while taking devil's claw; therefore, use is not recommended until more is known.

DOSAGE GUIDELINES:

For arthritis and nonspecific lower back pain:

* Powdered whole secondary tuber: 4.5-10 grams powder daily in divided doses.

* Standardized extract: 1,200-2,500mg daily in divided doses.

Note: Standardized extracts may list the concentration of the active ingredients as a percentage instead of in milligrams. Also, some research suggests that aqueous extracts may be more effective than alcohol-based products.

For digestive stimulation:

* Powdered secondary tuber: 1.5-2gm daily in divided doses, with or before meals--can be taken as a tea.

* Tincture: 1-2mL three times daily, with or before meals.