Devil's Claw

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Devil's Claw- Where to Find, How to Identify, Edible Uses

Devil's Claw Part 2- Cooking the Pods and Processing Edible Seeds

Parts Used: Root

Used by indigenous people for thousands of years to treat pain, stomach disorders and fever, Devil’s Claw is used as an anti-inflammatory in modern herbalism to treat problems like arthritis and low back pain. It increases mobility in the joints and is a common ingredient in formulas for inflammation and arthritis.

Constituents:

Carbohydrates; • Iridoids; • Phenols; • Amino acids

The major active constituents are harpagoside and the related iridoid glycosides, harpagide and procumbide, which occur in lesser amounts. Total iridoid glycoside content 0.5–3.3%

Listing on Duke's Phytochemical Database

The major phytochemicals responsible for the anti-osteoarthritis effect are the iridoid glycosides (harpagoside, harpagide, and procumbide), which are found in a higher amount in tubers and root. Although, it is worthy to mention that the whole-plant extracts seem to have a better therapeutic effect than those obtained from isolated parts [see attached monograph above]. Harpagoside inhibited in vitro the synthesis of various pro-inflammatory mediators via suppression of iNOS and COX-2 expression through inhibition of NF-B activation [R], but showed no anti-inflammatory activity in one animal model of inflammation (carrageenan-induced paw edema) [R]. The scientists suggested that other phytochemicals than harpagoside may be contributors to the anti-inflammatory effect of HP [R, R].

Qualities Cooling and moistening

Properties: Adaptogenic, adrenal tonic, alterative, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antirheumatic, Bitter tonic

Evidence Based Uses

Indications:

In folk medicine it is used as an ointment for skin injuries and disorders. The dried root is used for pain relief; pregnancy discomforts; arthritis; allergies, metabolic disorders; and kidney, bladder, liver and gallabladder disorders. In South Africa it is used for fevers and digestive disorders.

Specific: Traditionally used for arthritic conditions and as a general tonic, loss of appetite, digestive disorders
Rheumatic and arthritic conditions
Osteoarthritis
Chronic back pain
Tendinitis

Homeopathic: Chronic rheumatism is the primary use.

A “celebrity” among anti-osteoarthritis natural remedies, being approved by German Commission E for the treatment of degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system [Blumenthal, M.; Busse,W.R. The Complete German Commission E Monographs; American Botanical Council: Austin, TX, USA, 1998].

In vitro studies. HP extracts showed chondroprotective activity, several mechanisms being potentially responsible for this: decreased synthesis of inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF, and interleukin-1), and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases and elastase [R].

Animal studies.

A dried aqueous extract of HP has been shown to have a significant dose-dependent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in rats at 5 and 10 mg/kg. Nevertheless, carrageenan-induced paw edema was not affected by the isolated harpagoside constituent. This signifies that harpagoside may not have an anti-inflammatory effect, at least in the dosage used in this study [R,R]. This suggests that other HP constituents may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect.

Human clinical studies.

Several human clinical studies showed that various HP tuber extracts (equivalent to 50–60 mg harpagoside daily, administered for a variable period between 8 and 16 weeks, depending on the study) significantly improved the clinical picture of subjects with knee and hip osteoarthritis in terms of pain, movement limitation, and joint crepitus [R. R, R]. The severity of pain and other symptoms was assessed by the WOMAC questionnaire, VAS, Lequesne Index, physician exam and/or pain-relieving medication dose.

Uses supported by clinical data

Treatment of pain associated with rheumatic conditions.

Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents

Treatment of loss of appetite and dyspeptic complaints; supportive treatment of degenerative rheumatism, painful arthrosis and tendonitis.

Uses described in traditional medicine

Treatment of allergies, boils, diabetes, liver disorders and sores

Contraindications:None Known