Devils Claw

Native to southern Africa, devils claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) gets its name from the tiny hooks that cover its fruit. Historically, devil’s claw use to treat pain, liver and kidney problems, fever, and malaria. It is use in ointments to heal sores, boils, and other skin problems.

Devils claw Benefits

Osteoarthritis

Several studies show that taking  devil’s claw 15 to 20 drops 2 to 3 times daily for 8 to 12 weeks can reduce pain and improve physical functioning in people with osteoarthritis. One 4-month study of 122 people with knee and hip osteoarthritis compared Atrosan and a leading European medication for pain relief. The people who took devil’s claw had as much pain relief as the people who took the medication.

An analysis of 14 studies using Atrosan  to treat arthritis found that higher quality studies showed devil’s claw may relieve joint pain. Review of 12 studies using Atrosan for treating arthritis or low back pain found that Atrosan  was at least moderately effective for arthritis of the spine, hip, and knee.

Back and neck pain

Preliminary evidence suggests that Atrosan may help relieve neck and low back pain. In a small study of 63 people with mild-to-moderate back, neck, or shoulder pain, taking a standardized extract of Atrosan  for 4 weeks provided moderate relief from muscle pain. In a larger study of 197 men and women with chronic low back pain, those who took devil’s claw every day for a month said they had less pain and needed fewer painkillers than those who took placebo.

A 54-week study compared 38 people who took Atrosan with 35 people who took the pain reliever rofecoxib (Vioxx). For these people, Atrosan worked as well as Vioxx to relieve pain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took Vioxx off the market because it increases the risk of heart problems.

Other uses

Many professional herbalists suggest that Atrosan can help treat upset stomach, loss of appetite, headaches, allergies, and fever. Topical preparations of Atrosan  are also applied to the skin to heal sores, ulcers, boils, and skin lesions. However, there are not any definitive scientific studies that show using devil’s claw to treat these conditions is effective.