 | 
Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain devil's claw. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with their pharmacist or health care provider before starting.
Scientists have studied devil's claw for the following health problems: Osteoarthritis | A small number of studies suggest that devil's claw may be effective for treating pain and for improving mobility in individuals with osteoarthritis (especially osteoarthritis affecting the knee or hip). Use of devil's claw may allow the dose of other drugs used to treat arthritis pain to be reduced. More research is needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn. | Low back pain | There are several studies of devil's claw for low back pain. The results of these studies do not all agree with each other, and more research is needed to provide clearer answers. |
Devil's claw has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care provider before using devil's claw for any unproven use. Allergies
Anorexia
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-oxidant
Antiphlogitic
Arrhythmias
Arteriosclerosis (clogged arteries)
Atherosclerosis
Bitter tonic
Blood diseases
Boils (used topically)
Childbirth difficulties
Choleretic (bile secretion)
Climacteric problems
Constipation
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Diuretic
Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Fever
Fibromyalgia
Fibrositis
Flatulence (gas)
Gastrointestinal disorders | Gout
Headache
Heartburn
High cholesterol
Hip pain
Indigestion
Irregular heartbeat
Knee pain
Liver and gallbladder tonic
Loss of appetite
Malaria
Menopausal symptoms
Menstrual cramps
Migraines
Muscle pain
Nerve pain
Nicotine poisoning
Pain reliever
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sedative
Skin cancer (used topically)
Skin ulcers (used topically)
Sores (used topically)
Spasmolytic
Tendonitis
Urinary tract infections
Wound healing for skin injuries (used topically) |
Allergies People with allergies to Harpagophytum procumbens should avoid devil's claw products. Side Effects At recommended doses, devil's claw is generally well tolerated; however, there are published reports of headache, ringing in the ears, loss of taste and appetite, and diarrhea in those taking this herb. Based on an animal study, devil's claw may change the rate and force of heartbeats. It is not known whether use of devil's claw for longer than three to four months is safe or effective. Devil's claw may affect levels of acid in the gastrointestinal tract and should be avoided by people with gastric (stomach) or duodenal (intestinal) ulcers. Because devil's claw may lower blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should check with their health care provider before taking devil's claw. Individuals with heart disease, abnormal heart rhythm or gallstones should consult their health care provider before taking devil's claw. In theory, devil's claw may increase the risk of bleeding. You may need to stop taking devil's claw before some surgeries; discuss this with your health care provider. Be aware that devil's claw products may be contaminated with other herbs, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and drugs. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Devil's claw may stimulate contractions of the uterus and cannot be recommended during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with your health care provider or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs Devil's claw may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are also taking drugs that may lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin should be monitored closely by their health care provider while using devil's claw. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. In theory, devil's claw may have an additive effect if taken with drugs used for pain, inflammation, high cholesterol and gout. Devil's claw may add to the effects of drugs that reduce cholesterol levels. Devil's claw may also increase stomach acidity and therefore may affect drugs used to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, such as antacids, sucralfate, ranitidine (Zantac) and esomeprazole (Nexium). If you are taking any of these drugs, consult your health care provider or pharmacist before taking devil's claw. Because devil's claw may affect heart rhythm, heart rate and the force of heartbeats, individuals taking prescription drugs such as antiarrhythmics or digoxin (Lanoxin) should consult their health care provider before taking devil's claw. In theory, devil's claw may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs. Examples include warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Some pain relievers may also increase the risk of bleeding if used with devil's claw. Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox). Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements Devil's claw may lower blood sugar levels. People using other herbs or supplements that may alter blood sugar levels, such as bitter melon ( Momordica charantia), should be monitored closely by their health care provider while using devil's claw. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. In theory, devil's claw may interfere with other herbs and dietary supplements that affect heart rhythm, heart rate and the force of heartbeats. Devil's claw may affect herbs and dietary supplements that are used for pain, inflammation, high cholesterol and gout. Because devil's claw may increase stomach acidity, it may affect herbs and supplements used to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach. Devil's claw may add to the effects of herbs or supplements that reduce cholesterol levels, such as niacin. In theory, devil's claw may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with other products that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include Ginkgo biloba and garlic ( Allium sativum).
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care provider before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. Devil's claw products may be standardized to contain a specific amount of harpagoside; they often contain greater than 1 percent to 2 percent harpagoside. Some studies have used a special preparation called WS 1531, which contains 8.5 percent harpagoside. Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Tablets: A dose of 600 to 1,200 milligrams (standardized to contain 50 to 100 milligrams of harpagoside) by mouth three times per day has been used in some research for joint and muscle problems. Dried root: Doses of 0.5 to 1.5 grams by mouth three times per day in an aqueous (water-based) solution have been used traditionally for appetite loss or stomach discomfort. Tincture: Doses of 0.2 to one milliliter (1:5 in 25 percent alcohol) by mouth three times per day have been used traditionally. Doses of three milliliters (1:10 in 25 percent alcohol) by mouth three times per day have also been used traditionally. Fluid extract: Doses of 0.25 to 1.5 milliliters (1:1 in 25 percent alcohol) by mouth three times per day have been used traditionally. Doses of two to nine grams of crude extract have been taken daily for lower back pain. Children (Younger Than 18) The dosing and safety of devil's claw have not been studied thoroughly in children; discuss doses with your child's health care provider before starting therapy.
Although devil's claw has been suggested for many conditions, the best evidence supports its use for the treatment of osteoarthritis and low back pain. Individuals with diabetes, bleeding disorders, heart disease, gallstones or stomach or intestinal ulcers and those taking prescription drugs for these conditions should check with their health care provider before taking devil's claw. Consult your health care provider immediately if you experience side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Devil's Claw Natural Standard reviewed more than 85 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Chantre P, Cappelaere A, Leblan D, et al. Efficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum procumbens versus diacerhein in treatment of osteoarthritis. Phytomedicine 2000;7(3):177-183.
- Chrubasik S, Conradt C, Roufogalis BD. Effectiveness of Harpagophytum extracts and clinical efficacy. Phytother Res 2004;18(2):187-189.
- Chrubasik S, Junck H, Breitschwerdt H, et al. Effectiveness of Harpagophytum extract WS 1531 in the treatment of exacerbation of low back pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double- blind study. Eur J Anaesthesiol 1999;16(2):118-129.
- Chrubasik S, Model A, Black A, et al. A randomized double-blind pilot study comparing Doloteffin and Vioxx in the treatment of low back pain. Rheumatology 2003;42:141-148.
- Chrubasik S, Model A, Ullmann H, et al. DoloteffinR vs VioxxR for low back pain — a randomized, double-blind pilot study. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies 2002;7:90.
- Chrubasik S, Pollak S, Black A. Effectiveness of devil's claw for osteoarthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2002;41(11):1332-1333.
- Chrubasik S, Zimpfer C, Schutt U, et al. Effectiveness of Harpagophytum procumbens in treatment of acute low back pain. Phytomedicine 1996;3(1):1-10.
- Chrubasik S, Thanner J, Kunzel O, et al. Comparison of outcome measures during treatment with the proprietary Harpagophytum extract doloteffin in patients with pain in the lower back, knee or hip. Phytomedicine 2002;9(3):181-194.
- Chrubasik S. Addendum to the ESCOP monograph on Harpagophytum procumbens. Phytomedicine 2004;11(7-8):691-695.
- Ernst E, Chrubasik S. Phyto-anti-inflammatories: a systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2000;26(1):13-27.
- Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000;57(13):1221-1227.
- Lanhers MC, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, et al. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of an aqueous extract of Harpagophytum procumbens. Planta Med 1992;58(2):117-123.
- Laudahn D, Walper A. Efficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum extract LI 174 in patients with chronic non-radicular back pain. Phytother Res 2001;15(7):621-624.
- Leblan D, Chantre P, Fournie B. Harpagophytum procumbens in the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis: four-month results of a prospective, multicenter, double-blind trial versus diacerhein. Joint Bone Spine 2000;67(5):462-467.
- Leblan D, Chantre P, Fournie B. Harpagophytum procumbens in the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis: four-month results of a prospective, multicenter, double-blind trial versus diacerhein. Joint Bone Spine 2000;67(5):462-467.
- Wegener T, Lupke NP. Treatment of patients with arthrosis of hip or knee with an aqueous extract of devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC.). Phytother Res 2003;17(10):1165-1172.
- 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(3):249-251.
Last updated June 29, 2005
|
