Devil's claw a desert herb Native to southern Africa, named for the miniature hooks that cover its fruit. The active ingredients in the root of Devil's claw include an iridoid glycosides (Harpagoside), a substance with anti-inflammatory effects. The Devil's claw active ingredients in the root of Devil's claw include an iridoid glycosides (Harpagoside) and harpagide, substances that inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis (an anti-inflammatory effect). •
The root of devil's claw plant is used for its anti-inflammatory properties in traditional medicine to relieve chronic joint pain. Devil's claw appears to work as a Cox-2 anti-inflammatory and produce changes in leukotrienes, another group of molecules involved in inflammation.
Devil's Claw is may be beneficial for treating the liver, kidneys and bladder, arthritis and rheumatism. Devil's Claw may help alleviate joint, ligament and tendon problems and assist in the improvement of vitality in the joints. Devil's Claw may stimulate appetite and aid digestion, promote reduction of abnormally high cholesterol and uric-acid blood levels.
Devil's Claw has been recommended for treating diabetes, allergies, arteriosclerosis, lumbago, gastrointestinal disturbances, menstrual difficulties, neuralgia, headache, menopausal problems, heartburn, nicotine poisoning, gout and senility.
In Studies:
A German study examined the use of devil's claw for slight to moderate back, neck, and shoulder muscle tension and pain. In the 4-week study, 31 people took 480 mg twice a day and 32 people took a placebo. The results showed there was a significant reduction in pain in the people taking devil's claw compared to the placebo group.
A study published in the journal Rheumatology compared a devil's claw extract providing 60 mg harpagosides a day and and 12.5 mg a day of the anti-inflammatory Vioxx (now off the market) for 6 weeks in 79 patients with an acute exacerbation of low back pain. Devil's claw was as effective as Vioxx in reducing pain.
A study published in the journal Joint Bone Spine compared six 435 mg capsules of powdered devil's claw extract a day (which provides about 60 mg per day of harpagosides) with 100 mg a day of a European osteoarthritis drug called diacerhein in 122 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. After four months, devil's claw was as effective as the diacerhein at relieving pain, improving mobility, and reducing the need for back-up medication (such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs). Although this sounds great, the results aren't as impressive in light of a 3-year placebo-controlled study found diacerhein was ineffective at reducing osteoarthritis symptoms.
In a European Journal of Anaesthesiology 4-week study, 197 people with back pain rated at 5/10 or higher on a pain scale received a standardized daily dose of 50 mg or 100 mg harpagosides or placebo. Devil's claw seemed to reduce pain more than placebo.
History: Native to South Africa, this plant grows in desert regions, in particular in the Kalahari desert and the steppes of Namibia. The Devil's claw name comes from the fruit which sticks or claws on animals' hooves.
Technicals: The Devil's Claw root contains the iridoid glycosides harpagoside, harpagide and procumbine, beta sitosterol, sugars and gum resin. Also calcium, chlorogenic acid, chromium, kaempferol, luteolin, magnesium, oleanolic acid, selenium, tin, zinc
Recognized by The British Herbal Pharmacopoea as possessing analgesic, sedative and diuretic properties. testing
Iridoid glycosides stimulate the stomach to increase the production of acid.
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