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Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Proposed Uses: Pain; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Osteoarthritis; Muscle Pain ; Back Pain; Gout; Loss of Appetite; Mild Stomach Upset

In Europe, devil's claw is used to treat all types of joint pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Devil's claw is also used for soft-tissue (muscle-related or tendon-related) pain.

Like other bitter herbs (and this is one of the bitterest!), devil's claw is said to improve appetite and relieve mild stomach upset.

The evidence for devil's claw is fairly preliminary, with the largest and most well-designed studies showing marginal benefits.

People with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee were given either devil's claw or diacerhein for a period of 4 months. The results showed that devil's claw was as effective as diacerhein. While this might seem impressive, diacerhein itself is only slightly effective, and in such cases comparative studies must use a placebo group to achieve reliable results.

Another double-blind study followed 89 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis for a 2-month period. The group given devil's claw showed a significant decrease in pain intensity and improved mobility. A third double-blind study of 50 people with various types of arthritis found that 10 days of treatment with devil's claw provided significant pain relief.

Other studies have evaluated devil's claw for treatment of muscular tension and discomfort. One of these was a 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that evaluated 63 patients with muscular tension or pain in the back, shoulder, and neck. The results showed significant pain reduction in the treatment group as compared to the placebo group.

We don't know how devil's claw might work. Some studies have found an anti-inflammatory effect but others have not. Apparently, the herb doesn't produce the same changes in prostaglandins as standard anti-inflammatory drugs.

Dosage
A typical dosage of devil's claw is 750 mg 3 times daily of a preparation standardized to contain 3% iridoid glycosides.

Safety Issues
Devil's claw appears to be quite safe, with no evidence of toxicity at doses many times higher than recommended. A 6-month open study of 630 people with arthritis showed no side effects other than occasional mild gastrointestinal distress. Devil's claw is not recommended for people with ulcers. According to one case report, the herb devil's claw might increase the potential for bleeding while taking warfarin.

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