Devil's claw

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Other Names: Devils Claw, Devil's Claw Root, Garra del Diablo, Grapple Plant, Griffe du Diable, Harpagophyti Radix, Harpagophytum, Harpagophytum procumbens, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Racine de Griffe du Diable, Racine de Windhoek, Teufelskrallenwurzel, Uncaria procumbens, Wood Spider. Devil’s claw is an herb. The botanical name, Harpagophytum, means “hook plant” in Greek. This plant, which is native to Africa, gets its name from the appearance of its fruit, which is covered with hooks meant to attach onto animals in order to spread the seeds. The roots and tubers of the plant are used to make medicine.

Special Precautions of Devil's claw

  • Devil’s claw is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in appropriate doses for up to a year. The most common side effect is diarrhea. About 8% of the people participating in one research study developed diarrhea. Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headaches, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, and loss of taste. It can also cause allergic skin reactions, menstrual problems, and changes in blood pressure.
  • However, not enough is known about the safety of using devil’s claw long-term or applying it to the skin.
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Devil’s claw is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It might harm the developing fetus. Avoid use in pregnancy. It’s also best to avoid using devil’s claw while breast-feeding. Not enough is known yet about its safety during breast-feeding.
  • Heart problems, high blood pressure, low blood pressure: Since devil’s claw can affect heart rate, heartbeat, and blood pressure, it might harm people with disorders of the heart and circulatory system. If you have one of these conditions, talk with your healthcare provider before starting devil’s claw.
  • Diabetes: Devil’s claw might lower blood sugar levels. Using it along with medications that lower blood sugar might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Your healthcare provider might need to adjust your dose of diabetes medications.
  • Gallstones: Devil’s claw might increase bile production. This could be a problem for people with gallstones. Avoid using devil’s claw.
  • Peptic ulcer disease (PUD): Since devil’s claw might increase the production of stomach acids, it might harm people with stomach ulcers. Avoid using devil’s claw.
  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
  • Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Devil's claw might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking devil's claw along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking devil's claw talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
  • Some medications that are changed by the liver include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix); diazepam (Valium); carisoprodol (Soma); nelfinavir (Viracept); and others.
  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
  • Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Devil's claw might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking devil's claw along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking devil's claw talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
  • Some medications that are changed by the liver include diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), ibuprofen (Motrin), meloxicam (Mobic), and piroxicam (Feldene); celecoxib (Celebrex); amitriptyline (Elavil); warfarin (Coumadin); glipizide (Glucotrol); losartan (Cozaar); and others.
  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
  • Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Devil's claw might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking devil's claw along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking devil's claw, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
  • Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
  • Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. Devil's claw might increase the effects of warfarin (Coumadin) and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.

The benefits of Devil's claw are

  • Devil’s claw contains chemicals that might decrease inflammation and swelling and resulting pain.Devil’s claw is used for “hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis), arthritis, gout, muscle pain (myalgia), back pain, tendonitis, chest pain, gastrointestinal (GI) upset or heart burn, fever, and migraine headache. It is also used for difficulties in childbirth, menstrual problems, allergic reactions, loss of appetite, and kidney and bladder disease.
  • Some people apply devil’s claw to the skin for injuries and other skin conditions.
  • pain : Devil's Claw is as effective as COX-2 inhibitors... without the deadly side effects!
  • Decreasing pain from a kind of arthritis called osteoarthritis. Taking devil’s claw alone or along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) seems to help decrease osteoarthritis-related pain.
  • Back pain. Taking devil’s claw orally seems to lessen low-back pain.
  • Upset stomach.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Gout.
  • Muscle pain.
  • Migraine headache.
  • Skin injuries and conditions.

Main Combinations

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