6 Health Benefits of Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum)

November 21, 2023 Agric4Profits

Devil’s Claw is scientifically known as Harpagophytum. This African native plant gets its name from the way its fruit looks, which is coated in hooks designed to cling to animals and disperse the seeds. Medicine is made from the plant’s tubers and roots.

According to anecdotal reports, devil’s claw may stimulate the production of stomach acid, so if you frequently get heartburn, this may be something to take into account.

Devil’s claw should not be consumed by anyone with heart conditions, hypertension, low blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones, or peptic ulcer disease. There is at least some proof that it might have an impact on certain ailments. Therefore, your doctor should keep a careful eye on you if you take devil’s claw and have one of these conditions.

Atherosclerosis, arthritis, gout, muscular pain (myalgia), back pain, tendinitis, chest discomfort, gastrointestinal (GI) distress or heartburn, fever, and migraine headaches are all treated with devil’s claw. It is also used to treat renal and bladder disorders, allergies, appetite loss, menstruation issues, labor difficulties, and other conditions.

The name “devil’s claw” refers to the fruit’s pointy, pointed shape. In order to improve seed dissemination, it may grasp onto passing animals and other objects, earning it the nickname “grapple plant.” The plant’s stem, which can reach a maximum length of 6.5 feet (two meters), sprouts pink flowers and leaves.

The biological structure of devil’s claw is peculiar in that it develops from primary and secondary tubers. The secondary tubers, which can measure up to ten by two inches (25 x 6 cm), grow on the roots of the parent tubers.

Harpagoside, a monoterpene glucoside, is the main chemical assumed to be in charge of the anti-inflammatory properties of devil’s claw. Procumbide, harpagide, 8-para-coumaroyl-harpagide, and verbascoside are some more iridoid glycosides.

The roots are the main source of Harpagoside, and secondary tubers have twice as much of it as the major roots do. While traces of the substance have been recovered from the leaves, flowers, stems, and ripe fruits are essentially free of it.

Progressive hydrolysis of Harpagoside results in Harpagid and Harpagogenin. 1.4% to 2% of Harpagoside can be found in devil’s claw extract from commercial sources. Carbohydrates, flavonoids (such as kaempferol and luteolin), aromatic acids, phytosterols, and triterpenes are additional ingredients.

However, the potential negative consequences of the devil’s claw are not well known. The majority of publications advise against using it if you are expecting or nursing because the outcomes are unproven.

6 Health Benefits of Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum)

1. Weight Loss

Unexpectedly, this anti-inflammatory root might also provide a fresh strategy for weight loss. According to an Irish university study, devil’s claw can aid in reducing or even halting the synthesis of ghrelin. Those who struggle with overeating may discover that their appetites are reduced to a level closer to the average, which will help them lose weight.

By specifically suppressing inflammation, devil’s claw may also help persons who are obese prevent the hardening of the arteries that is associated with obesity, or atherosclerosis.

2. Natural Painkiller

While devil claw appears to reduce arthritis pain, it also has other pain-relieving properties. Devil’s claw, albeit little understood, has been shown to have few side effects in about 3% of patients and to reduce inflammation and inflammatory pain in a number of illnesses, including acute (rapid onset) pain.

An extract of devil’s claw was used for 21 days to treat animals in a trial to lessen postoperative pain and neuropathic pain, which are shooting or burning pains that are frequently caused by some form of nerve injury.

In a research devil’s claw extract administered for eight weeks helped to reduce chronic back pain and enhance mobility for at least six months. There were no reported severe negative effects.

In addition, some sources advise utilizing devil’s claw to alleviate sciatica, commonly known as sciatic nerve discomfort. However, it should be emphasized that, as of this writing, there has been no research done on the effectiveness of the devil’s claw in treating sciatica.

3. For Inflammation

The capacity of the devil’s claw to assist in reducing inflammation, which is at the core of most ailments, is one of the reasons it is so helpful.

According to recent studies, devil’s claw can aid in the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a cytokine (cell-signaling protein) that plays a role in the regular inflammation that takes place in the body as it controls the immune system.

This is important because chronic inflammation can develop as a result of TNF-alpha overactivity and result in several illnesses. Blocking TNF-alpha is a key area of research in the fight against inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.

4. Antioxidants

Due to the numerous antioxidants it contains, devil’s claw can also help prevent disease in more fundamental ways. Devil’s claw is “especially high in water-soluble antioxidants”.

According to some studies, these antioxidants may even be the cause of some of the anti-inflammatory effects of devil’s claw because of how closely they cooperate.

5. Improves Digestive System

Recall that we previously stated that one of the benefits of devil’s claw is that it inhibits TNF-alpha, which is a therapy option for inflammatory bowel disease? Digestion and inflammation are highly related.

These illnesses, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, may benefit from additional treatment with devil’s claw’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects.

6. Supports Kidney Health

The potential therapeutic use of devil’s claw in the treatment of glomerular illnesses, a class of kidney disorders, is yet another unexplored area of research on the herb’s advantages. These diseases, which are inflammatory in nature, affect the small filters in the kidneys that clear the blood.

As the antioxidants in a devil’s claw extract worked in this lab experiment to prevent the creation of nitrites, the researchers hypothesized that these extracts “may represent promising anti-inflammatory medications in the diagnosis of glomerular inflammatory disorders.