Native to southern Africa, Harpagophytum procumbens is a member of the sesame family. It’s known for its hooked fruit which earned it the common name, devil’s claw. The plant has tuberous roots which have been used in African folk herbalism for centuries. Devils claw root has traditionally been employed for its healthful properties and typical preparations include decoctions and extractions.
Preliminary research suggests that devil’s claw may help relieve neck and low back pain. In a small study of 63 people with mild-to-moderate back, neck, or shoulder pain, taking an extract of devil’s claw for 4 weeks provided moderate relief from muscle pain. In a larger study of 197 men and women with chronic low back pain, those who took devil’s claw every day for a month said they had less pain and needed fewer painkillers than those who took placebo.
A 54-week study compared 38 people who took devil’s claw with 35 people who took the pain reliever rofecoxib (Vioxx). For these people, devil’s claw worked as well as Vioxx to relieve pain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took Vioxx off the market because it increases the risk of heart problems.
Many professional herbalists suggest that devil’s claw can help treat upset stomach, loss of appetite, headaches, allergies, and fever. Topical preparations of devil’s claw are also applied to the skin to heal sores, ulcers, boils, and skin lesions.
2 oz cut and sifted dried root
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.