Erdos, A., Fontaine, R., Friehe, H., Durand, R., and Poppinghaus, T. [Contribution to the pharmacology and toxicology of different extracts as well as the harpagosid from Harpagophytum procumbens DC]. Planta Med 1978;34(1):97-108. View abstract. Remember that I mentioned above how devil’s claw benefits include inhibition of TNF-alpha, which is a treatment consideration for inflammatory bowel disease ? Inflammation has a great deal to do with digestion. Most commonly devil’s claw is used for pain relief relating to muscles and joints. What’s the history of devil’s claw?

Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999. Chrubasik S, Sporer F, and Wink M. [Harpagoside content of different powdered dry extracts from Harpagophytum procumbens]. Forsch Komplmentarmed 1996;3:6-11. Certain medications could potentially interact with devil’s claw, including medications changed by the liver, because devil’s claw may slow the liver’s breakdown of these substances. The clotting drug warfarin (brand names include Coumadin and Jantoven) may also be affected by devil’s claw. For these reasons, devil’s claw supplements have been studied as a potential remedy for inflammatory-related conditions, such as arthritis and gout. In addition, it has been proposed to reduce pain and may support weight loss. Mahomed IM, Ojewole JAO. Oxytocin-like effect of Harpagophytum procumbens [Pedaliacae] secondary root aqueous extract on rat isolated uterus. Afr J Trad CAM 2006;3(1):82-89.There is research that suggests that devil’s claw may be effective in reducing muscle aches and pains, but to date there haven’t been enough large-scale well-designed studies to show more than marginal benefits from taking it.

In addition, a supplement called AINAT has been used as a remedy for osteoporosis. AINAT contains 300 mg of devil’s claw, as well as 200 mg of turmeric and 150 mg of bromelain — two other plant extracts believed to have anti-inflammatory effects ( 18). A fairly large body of research has been done on the ability of devil’s claw to relieve arthritis pain. Results show that it likely does relieve this pain. Pinget M and Lecompte A. Etude des effets de I'harpagophytum en rhumatologie dégénérative. 37 Le magazine 1990;(10):1-10.Baghdikian B, Lanhers MC, Fleurentin J, et al. An analytical study, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri. Planta Med 1997;63:171-6. View abstract. Ingredients:Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Mel, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Leaf Extract, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Urea, Inositol, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Benzoic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Glycine, Fructose, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, (Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool - from natural essential oils). Even if you’re not looking for a pain remedy, you may still be interested to know the other devil’s claw benefits scientists have discovered. For example, there is at least one early report that it may have anticancer potential. For study participants of the research projects involving devil’s claw, it took around four weeks for benefits to be felt. What are the side effects of devil’s claw? Soulimani R, Younos C, Mortier F, Derrieu C. The role of stomachal digestion on the pharmacological activity of plant extracts, using as an example extracts of Harpagophytum procumbens. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1994;72:1532-6. View abstract.

Fiebich BL, Heinrich M, Hiller KO, Kammerer N. Inhibition of TNF-alpha synthesis in LPS-stimulated primary human monocytes by Harpagophytum extract SteiHap 69. Phytomedicine 2001;8:28-30.. View abstract. Devil’s claw does not generally have serious side effects. But limited evidence of its safety means you should always take it (and any supplement) under the supervision of your physician. This is not an all-inclusive list of medication interactions. To be on the safe side, always discuss your use of supplements with your doctor. Summary Chrubasik S, Sporer F, Wink M, and et al. Zum wirkstoffgehalt in arzneimitteln aus harpagophytum procumbens. Forsch Komplementärmed 1996;3:57-63. There is insufficient evidence to say whether or not devil’s claw can be used effectively to treat rheumatoid arthritis, gout or high cholesterol.When choosing a supplement, look for the concentration of harpagoside, an active compound in devil’s claw. For example, one clinical study involving 122 people with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip suggested that 2,610 mg of devil’s claw daily may be as effective at reducing osteoarthritis pain as diacerein, a medication commonly used to treat this condition ( 17). Medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are typically used to reduce pain and swelling caused by gout. Occhiuto, F., Circosta, C., Ragusa, S., Ficarra, P., and Costa, De Pasquale. A drug used in traditional medicine: Harpagophytum procumbens DC. IV. Effects on some isolated muscle preparations. J Ethnopharmacol. 1985;13(2):201-208. View abstract.

In a cancer unit at a hospital in British Columbia, a doctor noticed a partial regression of one patient’s lymphoma after 10 months with no chemotherapy. The patient shared that he was taking two supplements, including devil’s claw. After hearing about this natural treatment, another patient in a support group with the first began taking devil’s claw, followed by a similar regression 11 months later, sustained for four years. Whitehouse LW, Znamirowska M, Paul CJ. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): no evidence for anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of arthritic disease. Can Med Assoc J 1983;129:249-51. View abstract. Devil’s claw has been proposed as a potential remedy for inflammatory conditions because it contains plant compounds called iridoid glycosides, particularly harpagoside. In test-tube and animal studies, harpagoside has curbed inflammatory responses ( 13). Some less-researched possible benefits of devil’s claw include: treatment for follicular lymphoma; prevention of inflammation-induced bone loss in arthritis; and prevention or treatment of certain inflammatory kidney diseases known as glomerular diseases.

What’s the best way to take devil’s claw?

Kikuchi T. New iridoid glucosides from Harpagophytum procumbens. Chem Pharm Bull 1983;31:2296-2301. Of the small-scale studies that have been undertaken it seems devil’s claw may help reduce arthritis pain, improve mobility and reduce need for other pain relief. Costa De Pasquale R, Busa G, et al. A drug used in traditional medicine: Harpagophytum procumbens DC. III. Effects on hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias by reperfusion. J Ethnopharmacol 1985;13:193-9 . View abstract.