Devil's claw - Information Page
What is Devil’s Claw?
| Aspect |
Details |
| Botanical Name |
Harpagophytum procumbens |
| Common Names |
Devil’s Claw, Grapple Plant, Kalahari Devil’s Claw, Wood Spider |
| Botanical Family |
Pedaliaceae |
| Part Used |
Sliced, dried secondary root |
| Native Range |
Southern Africa: Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Appearance |
Creeping perennial; woody, claw-shaped fruits; tuberous roots |
Traditional & Modern Uses
| Use/Application |
Details & Benefits |
| Joint and Muscle Pain Relief |
Used to help manage arthritis, backache, muscle stiffness |
| Anti-Inflammatory Support |
Used for rheumatic pain, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and general inflammation |
| Digestion Aid |
Traditionally stimulates appetite, relieves indigestion, promotes digestive comfort |
| Wellness Tonic |
Support for general well-being, fevers, liver/kidney health |
| Topical Application |
Compresses for sprains, wounds, skin conditions |
How to Use Devil’s Claw
| Form |
Preparation & Dosage |
| Herbal Tea |
Decoction: 1–2 tsp (2–4g) sliced root per cup water, simmer 10–15 min, up to 2–3 cups per day. Use at least 4 weeks for chronic relief. |
| Capsule or Powder |
Follow manufacturer’s directions or consult a herbal practitioner |
| Tincture |
Follow product-specific guidance |
| Topical |
Apply as a compress to the affected area |
Basic Certificate of Analysis (COA) Information
| Attribute |
Description |
| Product |
Sliced, dried root of Harpagophytum procumbens |
| Origin |
Southern Africa |
| Botanical Verification |
Authenticated by specialists, with batch certification available |
| Processing |
Clean, sliced, air-dried; food grade appropriate for teas and herbal preparations |
| Active Ingredients |
Harpagoside (main iridoid), harpagide, procumbine, amino acids, flavonoids, triterpenes |
| Purity |
Tested for contaminants and authenticity; free from artificial additives/preservatives |
Precautions & Warnings
| Caution Area |
Details |
| Pregnancy/Breastfeeding |
Not recommended |
| GI Conditions |
Avoid if you have gastric/duodenal ulcers or gallstones |
| Drug Interactions |
May interact with blood thinners, heart or diabetes meds, NSAIDs (consult doctor) |
| Side Effects |
May cause digestive upset or diarrhea; excessive use risks worsened ulcers/gallbladder issues |
| Other |
Not for chronic overuse; always consult a healthcare professional if on chronic meds |
Summary Table
| Feature |
Details |
| Botanical Name |
Harpagophytum procumbens |
| Common Names |
Devil’s Claw, Grapple Plant, Kalahari Devil’s Claw |
| Part Used |
Sliced dried secondary root |
| Key Actions |
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, joint & muscle support |
| Typical Uses |
Herbal tea, topical compress, capsules, powder |
| Main Ingredients |
Harpagoside, harpagide, flavonoids, triterpenes, procumbine |
| COA Standards |
Authenticated botanicals, tested for purity and active compounds |
| Warnings |
Not for pregnancy/nursing, ulcers, gallstones, chronic overuse |
General Usage & Storage
| Instruction |
Details |
| Storage |
Cool, dry, away from light; keep tightly closed, out of reach of children and pets |
| Daily Dose |
Do not exceed manufacturer’s guidelines |
| Medical Advice |
Not a substitute for medical care; always consult healthcare provider for chronic/persistent issues |
| Regulation |
Not evaluated/approved by SAHPRA for quality or safety |
| Diet & Lifestyle |
Not to replace a balanced diet or healthy lifestyle |
