Description
Botanical: Harpagophytum procumbens
Other common names: Wood Spider, Grapple Plant
Beneficial Uses:
Devil's Claw is considered an herbal anti-inflammatory and painkilling agent that has demonstrated very positive results when tested for relief of lower back pain. The harpagide content in Devil's Claw has exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and has been thought to bring relief to sufferers of arthritis, rheumatism, carpal tunnel syndrome, gout and tendonitis. As a superior herbal pain reliver, Devil's Claw has also demonstrated significant improvement in people who had the most severe, radiating pain with numbness in the extremities.
Country of Origin: Africa
Like all bitters, Devil's Claw has been used for many years as an aid to good digestion and means to improve the appetite. Its glycosides stimulate the production of increased stomach acid, thus promoting digestion. As a digestive aid, Devil's Claw is also thought to help relieve complaints involving the gallbladder, pancreas and liver.
Devil's Claw is said to be mildly diuretic and may ease bloating and puffiness, and it has also been used to reduce fevers. By promoting increased urine flow, the herb helps to relieve excess water retention and may also help flush the kidneys of impurities that cause toxic buildup in the blood.
For external use, Devil's Claw has been applied to treat ulcers, sores and boils and is considered a topical anti-inflammatory that may be useful for relief of arthritic and rheumatic joints.
Devil's Claw is thought to reduce blood pressure, because it relaxes arterial tension, and may be beneficial in cases of arteriosclerosis.
Contraindications:
Devil's Claw Herbal Supplement may take several weeks of consistent use before noticing results. Devil's Claw should be avoided during pregnancy as it has been suggested to stimulate uterine muscle contraction. In addition, nursing women and those with gallstones, duodenal or gastric ulcers should avoid Devil's Claw.
Since Devil's Claw may slow the pulse, it should not be used by people with congestive heart disease. Headache, ringing in the ears, stomach upset and allergic reactions have been reported. Speak with your health care provider before using Devil's Claw if you are taking blood-thinning medication.
