Devil's Claw
See also: Harpagophytum (genus)
Videos
Devil's Claw- Where to Find, How to Identify, Edible Uses
Devil's Claw Part 2- Cooking the Pods and Processing Edible Seeds
Overview
Parts Used: Root
Qualities Cooling and moistening
Properties: Adaptogenic, adrenal tonic, alterative, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antirheumatic, Bitter tonic
Its native range is Southern Africa — specifically Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
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].
Tissue State Relevance
Heat / Excitation — Primary relevance
The Frontiers review shows Devil’s Claw (especially harpagoside) modulates COX‑2, NF‑κB, pro‑inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative‑stress signaling Frontiers.
These are classic “cooling” actions that reduce inflammatory overactivation.
Tissue‑state interpretation:
Useful for hot, irritated, inflamed tissues — osteoarthritis flare, reactive joint inflammation, inflammatory back pain.
Wind / Tension — Primary relevance
The spinal‑cord‑injury model demonstrates Devil’s Claw reduces allodynia and modulates oxidative and antioxidant stress pathways pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
This aligns with tension‑driven pain patterns involving nociceptive sensitization and oxidative rigidity.
Tissue‑state interpretation:
Supports tension‑pain, spasmodic or rigid musculoskeletal states, and oxidative‑stress‑linked hyperreactivity.
Damp / Stagnation — Secondary relevance
While Devil’s Claw is not strongly antimicrobial, its role in musculoskeletal stagnation (sluggish inflammatory congestion, degenerative joint states) is supported by clinical evidence showing symptomatic benefit in osteoarthritis and low‑back pain, though evidence quality is variable Frontiers.
Tissue‑state interpretation:
Helpful where inflammatory stagnation and degenerative “damp‑heat” patterns coexist — chronic joint thickening, slow‑moving inflammatory debris.
Cold / Depression — Contraindicated
Devil’s Claw’s pharmacology is suppressive of inflammatory pathways, not warming or stimulating.
Nothing in the evidence suggests benefit for cold, collapsed, low‑vitality tissues; in fact, it may worsen low metabolic tone.
Tissue‑State Summary Table
| Tissue State | Relevance | Mechanistic Basis | Pattern Expression |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat / Excitation | Primary | COX‑2, NF‑κB, cytokine suppression; anti‑inflammatory | Hot, reactive joint inflammation; irritated tissues |
| Wind / Tension | Primary | Reduced allodynia; oxidative‑stress modulation | Tension‑pain, spasmodic or rigid musculoskeletal states |
| Damp / Stagnation | Secondary | Symptomatic benefit in OA/back pain; stagnation relief | Chronic joint congestion; degenerative damp‑heat |
| Cold / Depression | Contraindicated | No warming or stimulating action | Cold, collapsed, low‑vitality tissues |
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