supplements

Devil's claw

What is the devil's claw?

Devil's Claw is the dialectal name of the Harpagophytum ( Harpagophytum procumbens ), a perennial climbing plant that belongs to the Pedaliacee family. The genus Harpagophytum is the same as sesame.

The devil's claw is known in English with the nouns of: "grapple plant", "wood spider" (wooden spider) and "devil's claw" (devil's claw).

It grows in Southern Africa and especially in the eastern and south-eastern regions of Namibia, in southern Botswana, in the Kalahari region, in the Northern Cape and in Madagascar.

The devil's claw owes its name to the four hard and ribbon-like appendages that characterize its ovoid fruits. These growths are equipped with sturdy hooks which, penetrating into the body or legs of animals, cause serious wounds, forcing them to perform a "devilish" dance.

The part used for medicinal purposes consists of the lateral growths of the tuberous root (called secondary roots), which contain high percentages of active ingredients.

Property

Uses of the devil's claw

Devil's claw in traditional South African medicine

The ethnobotanical use of the devil's claw originated in Southern Africa.

To be precise, this plant is one of the "floral emblems" (geographical symbols) of Botswana, where it is believed to be useful in the treatment of various painful conditions.

In traditional South African medicine, the devil's claw has been used for centuries to treat various problems, such as:

  • Rheumatic diseases
  • Articolar pains
  • Temperature
  • Stomach problems.

Devil's claw in herbal medicine

What was found empirically by the local populations was then confirmed by the studies of the German Schmidt, which led to the discovery of three glycosides held responsible for the analgesic and antipyretic effects of the harpagophytum:

  • harpagoside
  • harpagide
  • Procumbide.

Devil's claw against pain and inflammation

The devil's claw proved particularly active especially in situations that cause pain and inflammation such as:

  • Tendinitis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Backache
  • Cervical pains.

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the devil's claw have been confirmed by numerous studies conducted in vitro, on rodents and on humans.

Many of these studies have compared the effectiveness of common anti-inflammatory products to that of natural Arpagofito extracts. In many cases the results have been encouraging and the devil's claw has always confirmed its therapeutic virtues.

A review of "Cochrane" on the clinical effects of this remedy noted that devil's claw appears to reduce back pain more than placebo, albeit of moderate significance.

Devil's claw to digest

This plant is also attributed properties of type:

  • Digestive: if it is used as an infusion
  • cholesterol lowering
  • Ipouricemizzante: it is useful in case of gout.

The scientific explanation of these effects would reside in the many bittering principles, capable of stimulating the production of gastric juices and bile.

The devil's claw is indicated in case of:
tendinitis
cervical pains
backache
bruises
arthritis
headache
temperature
poor digestion

Doses and Mode of Use

Devil's claw: pharmaceutical form

In most clinical studies, aqueous extracts (Doloteffin ®) were used, corresponding to 600-1, 200 mg of dry extract per day. A similar dose contains about 50-100 mg of arpagoside (active ingredient present in the roots of the devil's claw).

Using the devil's claw: is it sustainable?

Doloteffin is not available in Italy, where they are marketed above all as capsules containing about 250 mg of dry extract, with a content of arpagoside ranging from 1 to 8% (usually 2%).

Making four calculations we realize that to reach the dose of arpagoside used in the aforementioned studies, it would take from 4 to 25 capsules a day, a much higher dose than the three tablets that are normally recommended. When buying supplements based on the devil's claw, it is therefore a good idea to inform yourself in advance about their percentage content in arpagoside.

Applications of the devil's claw

Devil's claw for small annoyances

If taken at sufficiently high doses (at least 40-50 mg of arpagoside a day), the devil's claw is a valid support for the simplest problems and, with its action, it is able to replace the common counter-inflammatory anti-inflammatories.

Devil's claw in serious diseases

For the most serious pathologies, its constant use reduces the dosage of synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs.

Devil's claw to digest

In case of indigestion or loss of appetite the infusion can be used, prepared by placing two teaspoons of ground root in 500 ml of boiling water, letting it rest for a few hours and filtering it before use.

Contraindications

The extracts of this plant are contraindicated in case of:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Cardiovascular disorders
  • Pregnancy
  • Feeding time
  • Pharmacological therapies
  • Certain pathologies of the digestive system

Drug interactions

The devil's claw can interact negatively with the following drugs:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Anticoagulants (eg the farfari and the ticoplidina)
  • Antiarrhythmics.

Pathologies of the digestive system

The pro-digestive effects of the devil's claw, due to greater gastric and biliary secretion, may prove to be contraindicated in cases of gastritis, gastric ulcers, duodenals and gall bladder stones.

In some cases the devil's claw has triggered diarrhea even with normal intake doses.

Toxicity

The toxicity of the devil's claw is considered very low, however cases of mild gastrointestinal disorders have been reported in the most sensitive subjects.