Devil's Claw
(Harpagophytum procumbens)

General Info

Active Forms

Absorption

Dietary Sources

Dosage Info

Dosage Range
100-200mg (standardized extract) daily.

Infusion: 3 times a day using 4.5 grams of herb to 300 ml water steeped 8 hours.(1)

Most Common Dosage
100mg (standardized extract), 2 times a day.

Infusion: 3 times a day using 4.5 grams of herb to 300 ml water steeped 8 hours.

Dosage Forms

Adult RDI

Adult ODA

Overview

Interactions

Drug/Herb Interactions
•	Antiarrhythmic medications

Historically, devil's claw tuber has been used as an adjunct therapy for a variety of conditions related to the liver and kidneys. Traditionally it has also been used to treat lymph toxicity, diabetes, respiratory ailments and arthritic complaints.(2) Devil's claw reportedly helps with joint mobility and reduces pain and swelling.(3, 4) The current use of devil's claw focuses around its anti-inflammatory properties.

Toxicities & Precautions

General
Toxicity is extremely low and is not seen in recommended doses.(5)

Health Conditions
Contraindicated in gastric, peptic, or duodenal ulcers.

Based on pharmacology, use with caution in individuals with bleeding disorders other than those mentioned above.

Pregnancy/Breast-Feeding
Based on animal studies, devil's claw should not be used in pregnancy or nursing due to stimulation of the uterine muscle.(6)

Age Limitations
Do not use in children under 2 years of age unless recommended by a physician.

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency

Footnotes

¹ PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:248.
² Bradley P, ed. British Herbal Compendium. Bournemouth:British Herbal Medicine Association;1992:78-80.
³ Newall CA, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:98-100.
⁴ Baghdikian B, et al. An Analytical Study, Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri. Planta Med. 1997;63(2):171-76.
View Abstract
⁵ PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:248.
⁶ Newall CA, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:98-100.

Devil's Claw(Harpagophytum procumbens)

Devil's Claw
(Harpagophytum procumbens)