Herbs & Supplements:
Devil's Claw
Harpagophytum procumbens
Principal Proposed Uses
•
PAIN AND INFLAMMATION:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Muscle Pain , Back Pain, Gout
•
DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS:
Loss of Appetite, Mild Stomach Upset
Devil's claw is a native of South Africa, so named because of its rather peculiar appearance. Its large tuberous roots are used medicinally, after being chopped up and dried in the sun for 3 days.
Native South Africans used the herb to reduce pain and fever and stimulate digestion. European colonists brought devil's claw back home, where it became a popular treatment for arthritis.
What Is Devil's Claw Used for Today?
In modern 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- 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.
What Is the Scientific Evidence for Devil's Claw?
The evidence for devil's claw is fairly preliminary, with the largest and most well-designed studies showing marginal benefits at best.
A double-blind study compared devil's claw to the European drug diacerhein.1 Diacerhein is a member of a drug category not recognized in the United States: the so-called slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SADOAs). Unlike anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, SADOAs don't give immediate relief, but rather act over a period of weeks to gradually reduce arthritis pain. The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin have been proposed as natural SADOAs.
In this trial, 122 individuals with arthritis 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 equally effective to diacerhein, as measured by pain levels, mobility, and need for pain-relief medications (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen). While this might seem impressive, diacerhein itself is not universally accepted as an effective symptomatic treatment for osteoarthritis. This makes the results less than fully convincing.
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.2
Another 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.3
One study found evidence that devil’s claw might be helpful for muscle discomfort.11 This 4 week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 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.
However, a double-blind study of 197 individuals with back pain found devil's claw only marginally effective at best.4 Similarly unimpressive results were seen in a previous double-blind study of 118 individuals with back pain.5
We don't know how devil's claw works. Some studies have found an anti-inflammatory effect but others have not.6,7 Apparently, the herb doesn't produce the same changes in prostaglandins as standard anti-inflammatory drugs.8
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.9 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.10 Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Interactions You Should Know About
If you are taking blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin (warfarin) or heparin, devil's claw might enhance their effect, possibly producing a risk of bleeding.
View References
Last reviewed March 2002 by Medical Review Board
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