to cure yourself with herbs

Treat yourself with the Devil's Claw

Botanical Name: Harpagophytum procumbens DC and / or Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne.

Part used: Devil's Claw root

Alternative names: Arpagofito

Therapeutic properties: anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic, spasmolytic

Therapeutic use:

  • chronic rheumatologic diseases (bone and muscle pain, back pain, bruises, neck pain, rheumatic pain, periarthritis, tendinitis); dyspepsia from hypochloridria, intestinal spasms.

Examples of medical specialties containing harpagophytum extracts: Rheumylene ®

NOTES: when the devil's claw is taken for curative purposes it is essential to use defined and standardized pharmaceutical forms in active ingredients (iridoid glycosides min 1.8% of which at least 80% are arpagoside), the only ones that let you know how many molecules active are being administered to the patient. Traditional herbal preparations such as infusions, juices and decoctions, do not allow to establish exactly the quantity of active ingredients administered to the patient, which increases the risk of therapeutic failure.

Devil's Claw: traditional herbalist indications

Relieve minor joint symptoms

Indicative dosage in adults

  1. If the devil's claw is taken in the form of opercula containing a standardized and extracted dry extract in 80% arpagoside
    • take a single dose of 300-600 mg 3-4 times a day, at least half an hour before main meals.
  2. If the harpagophytum is taken in the form of an infusion (prepared by letting it soak over low heat for 15 minutes 5 grams of herbal tea cut in 500 ml of water previously boiled)
    • filter and take 500 ml of infusion, divided into three daily doses
  3. If the harpagophytum is taken as a liquid extract (extraction ratio 1: 1; ethanol extraction solvent 30% V / V)
    • take 15 ml, divided into three daily doses

NOTES: The Devil's Claw extracts are NOT indicated for children and adolescents under the age of 18. As a precautionary measure, do not take during pregnancy and lactation.

The mother tinctures are less active than the herbal tea due to the lower solubility in alcohol of the active ingredients. The infusions, although exhibiting a certain efficacy in minor phlogosis, are extremely bitter, so they must be associated with corrigens such as mint, juniper, stevia, licorice or fennel.

Do not take for more than four weeks. If symptoms persist or worsen during the use of the medicinal product, consult your doctor.

Self-medication with the devil's claw is not recommended for the treatment of severe joint symptoms, such as swelling and redness of the joints accompanied by fever (a picture typical of rheumatoid arthritis); in this case, consult your doctor to evaluate the use of synthetic drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Caution in case of intake by patients suffering from heart disease. As a precautionary measure, patients suffering from peptic ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease should not use herbal preparations or harpagophytum-based medicines. Due to the potential gastrolesivity, the use of harpagophytum in association with NSAIDs or cortisone is not recommended.

Cases of disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain), central nervous system (headache, dizziness), and skin (allergic skin reactions) have been reported after taking extracts of devil's claw. If these side effects occur seriously, or if other side effects occur, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Read the package insert and follow the instructions for the correct use of the product.

Relieve symptoms associated with digestive disorders, such as bloating and flatulence or where there is a loss of appetite

Indicative dosage in adults:

  • the doses indicated are similar to those reported for the treatment of symptoms of an articular nature. It is recommended to take it before or immediately after the main meals.

NOTES: The Devil's Claw extracts are NOT indicated for children and adolescents under the age of 18. As a precautionary measure, do not take during pregnancy and lactation.

For this purpose the devil's claw is rarely used in monotherapy, but it can find space in eupeptic teas along with drugs that share its digestive activity (gentian, dandelion, boldo, artichoke, ginger, anise, sage, etc.).

Do not take for more than two weeks. If symptoms persist or worsen during the use of the product, consult your doctor.

Caution in case of intake by patients suffering from heart disease. As a precautionary measure, patients suffering from peptic ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease should not use herbal preparations or harpagophytum-based medicines. Due to the potential gastrolesivity, the use of harpagophytum in association with NSAIDs or cortisone is not recommended.

Cases of disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain), central nervous system (headache, dizziness), and skin (allergic skin reactions) have been reported after taking extracts of devil's claw. If these side effects occur seriously, or if other side effects occur, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Read the package insert and follow the instructions for the correct use of the product.

Examples of herbal preparations containing the Devil's Claw

Anti-arthrosic and anti-rheumatic herbal tea

Ash, leaves40 g
Devil's Claw, Root30 g
Licorice, Root30 g
Spirea olmaria, flowering tops20 g

Prepare a decoction by boiling 50 grams of the mixture in a liter of boiling water for 5 minutes on a low flame. Pour still hot on 10 grams of Spirea flowers. Allow to rest for 30 minutes and drink in cups during the day.

Anti-rheumatic herbal tea (Dr. Zambotti)

Devil's Claw, Root60 g
Juniper, Berries20 g
Uncaria tormentosa, Flowers20 g

Prepare a 4% decoction by boiling for 40 minutes on a low heat 40 grams of mixture placed in 1 liter of boiling water. Take one cup three times a day after meals.

Variant:

Devil's Claw, Root60 g
Spirea olmaria, flowering tops30 g
Stevia rebaudiana, grass10 g

Prepare a 4% decoction by boiling 40 grams of the mixture in 1 liter of boiling water for 5 minutes at a low flame. Take one cup three times a day.