A new clinical study shows that a traditional African medicinal herb may reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis as effectively as some conventional drugs. In a randomized, double-blind, parallel group study conducted in France, the patients recei...
* 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.
A new clinical study shows that a traditional African medicinal herb may reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis as effectively as some conventional drugs. In a randomized, double-blind, parallel group study conducted in France, the patients received either capsules containing the herb devil's claw or a pharmaceutical drug. Pain measurements of all patients indicated that those taking the herb and the drug experienced similar benefits. However, the study also showed that patients taking the herb experienced significantly fewer adverse side effects than those taking the drug.
The herb devil's claw and a pharmaceutical drug were tested on 122 patients from the ages of 30 to 79 who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. In order to "blind" the researchers from knowing if the patients were taking the herb or the drug, both groups of patients received either the herb or the drug, plus dummy pills that looked like the herb or the drug. In this way, neither the patients nor the researchers knew who was receiving which until the study was completed.
Researchers noted that there were significantly more adverse effects caused by the drug diacerhein over the four-month period of the study. The main side effect was gastrointestinal distress, occurring more frequently in the diacerhein group than the devil's claw group.
Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), also known as "grapple plant" because of its claw-like dried seed pods, is an herb from the Kalahari desert region of southwestern Africa. The tubers from the plant have been used in traditional African medicine for a variety of disorders. Modern research in Europe has shown it reduces inflammation and pain in rheumatic conditions and can stimulate appetite.
Devil's claw is approved as a nonprescription medicine by the German Commission E, an expert panel of physicians and pharmacists who advise Germany's counterpart of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Approved uses of devil's claw include loss of appetite, digestive disorders, and "degenerative disorders of the locomotor system" (i.e., to treat pain and inflammation in the joints).
A relatively new drug in France and Italy, the drug diacerhein is for the treatment of degenerative joint conditions. It does not produce some of the same adverse side effects like bleeding of the stomach lining like some conventional analgesic drugs of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory class. It was chosen for this study because its mechanism of action was considered similar to devil's claw.
However, the use of diacerhein may be a potential weakness of this study. According to John Hicks, M.D., a board certified rheumatologist in Minaot, ND, and co-founder of the American College of Rheumatology, since devil's claw was compared to a drug that is not approved in the U.S., it may not impress physicians here as much as it might if it tested against an American arthritis drug. Regarding the potential benefits of devil's claw, he said, "It is certainly a herb I would like to see researched in a placebo-controlled study here in the U.S."
According to Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, a nonprofit research and education organization, "At least two previous clinical trials on devil's claw have supported its use as an aid in treating lower back pain and rheumatic conditions. This study is significant in that it is the first to show the potential benefits of devil's claw for osteoarthritis." He added, "Although more research is warranted, this may be good news to people who suffer from osteoarthritis, as well as their physicians, whose therapeutic choices have been fairly limited."
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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."
