Western Herbalism
Devil's claw
Harpagophytum procumbens
Also known as Grapple plant, Wood Spider, Devils Claw.
Devil's claw is traditionally indicated for: Inflammation (musculoskeletal), Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia (non-ulcer), Neuralgia, Atonic gastrointestinal tract, Constipation, Osteoarthritis, Obesity, Hypercholesterolemia, Headache, Pain (musculoskeletal), Hyperlipidemia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Rheumatic complaints, Pain (back), and 8 further conditions.
Ask Herbert about Devil's claw. Herbert is the master herbalist inside Bountiful Herbs: he answers from this plate and eleven hundred others, with dosing, pairing and cautions. Your first ten questions are free.
Ask HerbertActions
Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Inflammation (musculoskeletal)
- Loss of appetite
- Dyspepsia (non-ulcer)
- Neuralgia
- Atonic gastrointestinal tract
- Constipation
- Osteoarthritis
- Obesity
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Headache
- Pain (musculoskeletal)
- Hyperlipidemia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Rheumatic complaints
- Pain (back)
- Pain
- Debility
- Fatigue
- Inflammation
- Dyspepsia
- Weakness
- Arthritis
- Rheumatism
- Back pain
Safety
Low dose botanical. Used in drop doses in the classical practice; not a plant to dose freely.
Pregnancy: Limited safety data in pregnancy
The record lists 5 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tincture (1:3) | 1-3 ml BID-TID | 1-3 mL |
| Decoction | 1-2 tsp/c BID-TID | |
| Powdered herb | 3-9 g/d | 3000-9000 mg |
| Standardized extract (to 5% harpagoside) | 50-100 mg QD-BID | 50-100 mg |
| Painful arthrosis and tendonitis 1.5-3 g dried tuber as a decoction, three times daily | 1500-3000 mg | |
| 1 -3 g drug or equivalent aqueous or hydroalcoholic extracts | 1000-3000 mg |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
indications. Devil's claw is traditionally indicated for: Inflammation (musculoskeletal), Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia (non-ulcer), Neuralgia, Atonic gastrointestinal tract, Constipation, Osteoarthritis, Obesity, Hypercholesterolemia, Headache, Pain (musculoskeletal), Hyperlipidemia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Rheumatic complaints, Pain (back), and 8 further conditions.
constituents. Notable constituents of Devil's claw include: Iridoid glycosides (harpagoside, harpagide, procumbide), Flavonoids, Phenolic glycosides, Triterpenes, Phytosterols.
dose-reference. Reference preparation/dosing for Devil's claw: Tincture (1:3)=1-3 ml BID-TID; Decoction=1-2 tsp/c BID-TID; Powdered herb=3-9 g/d; Standardized extract (to 5% harpagoside)=50-100 mg QD-BID
safety-cautions. Devil's claw - Contraindications: Pregnancy, Lactation category C, GI inflammation, Peptic ulcer disease, Caution=reflux, hyperacidity | Side effects: GI distress | Safety flags: not considered safe in pregnancy; low-dose / narrow therapeutic window (use caution).
In formulas
Devil's claw stands in 1 documented formula in the library, among them Anti-Inflammatory Joint Formula.
Often paired with
black pepperPiper nigrum
GingerZingiber officinale
turmericCurcuma longaNearby on the shelf
Deadly nightshadeAtropa belladonna
Delphinium staphisagriaDelphinium staphisagria
Desert GinsengCistanche deserticola
Desert parsleyLomatium dissectum
Devil's ClubOplopanax horridus
Devil's walking stickAralia Spinosa
DhamasaFagonia cretica
DhatakiWoodfordia fruticosaThe whole plate is in the library. The compass, Compare, the Sky of eleven hundred plants and the formulary open with an email address and a password, free, with the formula builder and its safety engine. Herbert without limit, his formulating, clients, the handouts and the labels are the paid room.
Open the library, free