Kikuchi T. New iridoid glucosides from Harpagophytum procumbens. Chem Pharm Bull 1983;31:2296-2301. Low levels of sodium in the body: Devil's claw might decrease levels of sodium in the body. This might worsen symptoms in people who already have low levels of sodium. Diaz-Silveira GL, Deutsch J, Little DP. DNA Barcode Authentication of Devil's Claw Herbal Dietary Supplements. Plants (Basel). 2021 Sep 24;10(10):2005. doi:10.3390/plants10102005. Some sources also recommend using devil’s claw as a treatment for sciatic nerve pain , also referred to as sciatica. It should be noted, however, that no studies have been conducted on the efficacy of devil’s claw on sciatica at the time of this writing. 4. Potential Lymphoma Treatment? Devil’s claw gets its name from its fruit which is covered in hooks, making it more likely to attach to passing animals and have its seeds dispersed. These hooks also give it its other name, 'grapple plant,' and its scientofic name Harpagophytum, or 'hook plant'. For medicinal purposes, however, the roots and tubers of the plants are used. What is devil’s claw used for?

NSAIDs: Devil’s claw may slow the absorption of popular NSAIDs, such as Motrin, Celebrex, Feldene and Voltaren. The plant is named after its fruit, which is covered in spikes that resemble the talons on a claw (quite a devilish one, apparently!). Similarly, a 2-month study in 42 individuals with chronic osteoarthritis found that supplementing daily with devil’s claw in combination with turmeric and bromelain, which are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects as well, reduced pain by an average 46% ( 18). Summary

Where can I get devil’s claw?

Most commonly devil’s claw is used for pain relief relating to muscles and joints. What’s the history of devil’s claw?

The exact origin of devil’s claw is unknown, although it is native to southern Africa and found originally in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. It was first used medicinally in Europe in 1953 to treat arthritis, liver problems, kidney and bladder issues, appetite problems and seasonal allergies.

What are the side effects of devil’s claw?

Though test-tube and animal research indicates that devil’s claw can suppress inflammation, clinical studies to support its use for gout specifically are unavailable. Summary Bhattacharya A and Bhattacharya SK. Anti-oxidative activity of Harpagophytum procumbens. Br J Phytother 1998;72:68-71. Some common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). For other conditions, sufficient studies to determine effective doses are unavailable. In addition, devil’s claw has only been used for up to one year in studies. However, devil’s claw appears to be safe for most people in doses up to 2,610 mg per day ( 29).

Chrubasik S, Sporer F, and Wink M. [Harpagoside content of different powdered dry extracts from Harpagophytum procumbens]. Forsch Komplmentarmed 1996;3:6-11. Chrubasik S, Sporer F, Dillmann-Marschner R, et al. Physicochemical properties of harpagoside and its in vitro release from Harpagophytum procumbens extract tablets. Phytomedicine 2000;6:469-73. View abstract. Proton pump inhibitors are used to decrease stomach acid. Devil's claw can increase stomach acid. Taking devil's claw might decrease the effects of proton pump inhibitors.

For these reasons, devil’s claw supplements have been studied as a potential remedy for inflammatory-related conditions, such as arthritis and gout. In addition, it has been proposed to reduce pain and may support weight loss. Holland & Barrett Devils Claw Gel contains Harpagophytum Procumbens (Devil’s Claw) Root Extract. Devil’s Claw is a herb that owes its name to its hooked fruit. The roots of the plant have been used by people for centuries. Apply a thin layer of gel where required and gently rub in until absorbed. For additional benefits apply after a warm bath and store gel in the fridge.