* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Devil's Claw Harpagophytum procumbens DC. ex Meissn.
Family: Pedaliaceae.
Other Names: Griffe du diable (French); Afrikanische Teufelskralle (German); artiglio del diavolo, arpagofito (Italian).
Description: Devil's claw is a weedy, perennial herb with creeping stems spreading from a thick, carrot-like, primary root surrounded by several tuberous secondary roots. It bears greyish-green, irregularly lobed leaves, tubular yellow and violet flowers and characteristic thorny fruits (to which the common name refers). Two species are known. In H. procumbens, the thorny arms on the fruit are longer than the width of the fruit, while they are as long as or shorter than the width of the fruit in the other species, H. zeyheri. The latter is chemically variable and not always suitable for medicinal use.
Origin: Southern Africa (Kalahari region, from Angola to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa). Experimental cultivation has been initiated, but practically all commercial product is still wild-harvested.
Parts Used: Sliced and dried secondary roots (devil's claw root - Harpagophyti radix).
Uses and Properties: In recent years, devil's claw has become very popular as a general tonic and stomachic, and for the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis. An ointment is made from the root material that is applied to sores, ulcers and boils. It is traditionally used as a tonic and general medicine for a wide range of ailments, including digestive complaints, lack of appetite and to treat pain, during and after labour.
Active Ingredients: The main compounds of interest are iridoid glycosides (about 3% of dry weight) - mainly harpagoside (0.5-2%), together with harpagide, procumbide and their cinnamic or coumaric acid esters. Also present are phenolic glycosides such as acteoside and isoacteoside.
Pharmacological Effects: Clinical studies showed definite benefits in the treatment of rheumatic conditions and low back pain. Iridoid glycosides (or their metabolites) inhibit cyclooxygenase, which explains the slight analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. The bitter taste (and possibly the value in treating digestive disturbances) is due to the iridoid glycosides.
Preparation and Dosage: A daily dose of up to 9 g of the dried root, taken as infusion (1 - 3 g at a time), is recommended. Standardised extracts and capsules are available. The tuberous root of devil's claw, or grapple plant, is reported to be 6,000 times more bitter than gentian root. It is commonly used for ailments that include arthritic and rheumatic conditions, sciatica, neuralgia, headaches, high cholesterol, and obesity. Anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, and antiphiogistic properties are exhibited by devil's claw.
In terms of the biochemical makeup of the herb, devil's claw contains kaempferol, luteolin, chiorogenic and cinnamic acids, iridoid glycosides (including procumbide, harpagide, and harpagoside), quinone, harpogoquinone, and various other substances, including ursolic and oleanolic acid derivatives, exters, stachyose, and some sugars.
Devil's claw is specifically used for arthritic and rheumatic conditions, sciatica, neuralgia, and headaches. It has been found to be effective for the elderly for rheumatic pains, hyperlipedemia, hyper-cholesterolemia, and obesity.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
