NAME
Devil's claw

 

LATIN NAME
Harpagophytum Procumbens

 

FAMILY
Pedaliaceae (sesame family)

 

MAIN CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Its properties are partly related to the presence of three glycosides in its secondary roots, which are members of the iridoid family: harpagoside, harpagide, and procumbide
Phytosterols.
Flavonoids.
Harpagoquinone

 

PARTS USED
We use the plant's tuber.

 

ORIGIN
This plant grows in desert regions of South Africa, in particular in the  Kalahari desert and the steppes of Namibia. It prospers on pathways, and uncultivated, clayey or sandy soil.

 

DESCRIPTION
habit: climber
leaves: evergreen, compound of 3 alternate leaflets (young hairless standards).
flowers: in rather short hanging spikes, it blossoms at the beginning of the dry season in tropical climates, but for a fairly short time (about a fortnight)
colour: reddish orange (coral)
growth: rapid once established
height: 20-30 m

 

PLANT HISTORY
Devil's claw owes its name to the fact that it its fruit has claws which are well adapted to stick in animals' hooves which contributes to the spread of illness in animal groups.
Devil's claw root is used in traditional African and European medicine for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and tonic properties for the stomach and the liver. It is traditionally used to treat arthritis, gout, all sorts of muscular pain (myalgia), lombago, etc. as well as for loss of appetite, hepatic problems and dyspepsia.

 

USES
Arthritic and musculoskeletal pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of devil's claw have been proven in numerous studies. Several clinical trials, with and without placebo groups show that devil's claw root can improve mobility and can noticeably relieve pain in patients with musculoskeletal discomfort, in particular, arthritis and back ache. Comparative clinical trials, have shown that the plant was just as effective in everyday treatment to relieve arthritis. In a study carried out on over 63 patients, researchers found that as well as working on joints and tendons, the plant also encouraged muscular relaxation.
Harpagophytum is also antalgic due to its anti-inflammatory action.