Research has confirmed the benefits found in traditional use of Devil's Claw herb- also called Grapple Plant - particularly in managing pain and inflammation.
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| Grapple Plant (Magnus Manske Commons) |
What is Devil's Claw?
Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) also called Grapple plant, is native to the steppes region of Southern Africa. It is particularly found in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. It has a long history of use in traditional and tribal medicine for its various health benefits, especially related to pain and inflammation.
Devil's Claw is a perennial ground-creeping plant. It has distinctive hooked fruit that resemble claws, hence its name. The leaves are greyish-green and lobed, while the flowers are trumpet-shaped and usually pink or red.
This herb thrives in the sandy soils of the Kalahari Desert and other arid regions of Southern Africa. It is adapted to withstand the harsh climatic conditions of these areas.
Primary Compounds
Devil's Claw contains several bioactive compounds, including:
Harpagoside: The primary active compound responsible for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, along with harpagide.
Procumbide: Another iridoid glycoside contributing to its medicinal properties.
Flavonoids: Such as kaempferol and luteolin, which have antioxidant properties.
Phenolic Acids: Including caffeic acid and cinnamic acid.
Traditional Uses
Grapple plant has been used in various traditional medicines:
African Traditional Medicine: Utilized to treat fever, pain, digestive issues, and skin conditions.
European Herbal Medicine: Introduced in Europe in the early 1900s, it has been used primarily to treat arthritis, back pain, and other inflammatory conditions.
Health Benefits of Grapple Plant
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic
Devil's Claw is renowned for its ability to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain, particularly in conditions like osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
It has been used to manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Research has shown that Devil's Claw could reduce inflammation and pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Lower Back Pain
It is often used to relieve lower back pain. Research has indicated that patients experience relief from acute low back pain with Devil's Claw extract.
Digestive Health
Devil's Claw has been used to improve digestive issues and stimulate appetite. Traditional uses and anecdotal evidence support its role in digestive health.
Antioxidant Properties
The herb has antioxidant properties that can help protect cells from damage. Studies have identified significant antioxidant activity in Devil's Claw extracts.
Human Clinical Research
A number of studies have proven that Grapple plant can significantly reduce pain and inflammation.
A 2007 study from Scotland’s Queen Margaret University tested 259 patients with osteoarthritis. The research found that Grapple plant extract significantly reduced pain in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and backs of the patients. They had significant increase in their quality of life scores and 60% of the patients reduced or stopped their pain medications.
In 2000, researchers gave dehydrated Grapple plant or the pain drug Diacerhein to 122 subjects with hip and knee pain and inflammation. Pain and inflammation were reduced similarly between the two. But Grapple plant recipients used less other pain medications compared to the other group.
In a 2002 study, a Devil’s claw extract was given to knee arthritis patients with and later without ibuprofen for 20 weeks. The Grapple plant group had better pain scores and reduced use of ibuprofen.
A 1999 study of low back patients also found that pain levels decreased significantly among those taking the grapple plant extract. This study compared with those taking conventional pain medications.
A 1997 study tested patients suffering from low back pain.
they were given either Grapple plant extract or conventional pain treatments
including drugs, nerve blocks and acupuncture. The researchers found pain
levels were about the same between the two groups after six weeks.
A 1997 studied 100 people with arthritis, low back pain or muscle pain. They found that Devil's claw extract resulted in significantly more pain relief compared to the placebo group.
A 2001 study tested 65 people with pain and muscle soreness in the shoulders, back and/or the neck. The research found the Grapple plant extract significantly reduced pain and soreness compared to the placebo group.
A review of 12 studies found that Devil's claw extracts reduced low back pain compared with control subjects.
Another study found a 60-milligram daily dosage of Grapple
plant extract reduced pain in osteoarthritis of the spine, hip, and knee. Another
study showed that 57 milligrams of Grapple plant extract was equivalent to the
drug diacerein among those suffering from osteoarthritis in the hip and knee.
Two other studies of 325 patients showed that 50 milligrams of Grapple plant extract significantly reduced low back pain compared to placebo. Other studies have shown that up to 100 milligrams may have a greater effect in the short term.
A 2022 review of research since 2011 found that Devil’s claw significantly helped reduce inflammation in patients. A 2019 review of inflammation research also found that devil’s claw was significantly anti-inflammatory.
Most of these studies and reviews found that 60 milligrams a day of the Grapple plant / Devil’s claw extract had a successful effect on pain and inflammation among these patients. Both water extracts (aqueous extracts) and ethanol extracts were fairly equal in effects.
It should be noted that some of these studies have had a few patients reporting gastrointestinal side effects from taking Devil's claw extract. Most of the studies reported overall safety for this herb. As with all herbs, talk with your doctor.
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES
Warnock M, McBean D, Suter A, Tan J, Whittaker P. Effectiveness and safety of Devil's Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders. Phytother Res. 2007 Dec;21(12):1228-33. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2288.
Gxaba N, Manganyi MC. The Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011-2022. Molecules. 2022 Jun 6;27(11):3637. doi: 10.3390/molecules27113637.
Menghini L, Recinella L, Leone S, Chiavaroli A, Cicala C, Brunetti L, Vladimir-Knežević S, Orlando G, Ferrante C. Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) and chronic inflammatory diseases: A concise overview on preclinical and clinical data. Phytother Res. 2019 Sep;33(9):2152-2162. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6395.
Brendler T. From Bush Medicine to Modern Phytopharmaceutical: A Bibliographic Review of Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum spp.). Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021 Jul 27;14(8):726. doi: 10.3390/ph14080726.
Brien S, Lewith GT, McGregor G. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety. J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Dec;12(10):981-93. doi: 10.1089/acm.2006.12.981.
Schaffer LF, Peroza LR, Boligon AA, Athayde ML, Alves SH, Fachinetto R, Wagner C. Harpagophytum procumbens prevents oxidative stress and loss of cell viability in vitro. Neurochem Res. 2013 Nov;38(11):2256-67. doi: 10.1007/s11064-013-1133-x.
Brendler T, Gruenwald J, Ulbricht C, Basch E; Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Herb Pharmacother. 2006;6(1):89-126.
Oltean H, Robbins C, van Tulder MW, Berman BM, Bombardier C, Gagnier JJ. Herbal medicine for low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Dec 23;2014(12):CD004504. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4.
Denner SS. A review of the efficacy and safety of devil's claw for pain associated with degenerative musculoskeletal diseases, rheumatoid, and osteoarthritis. Holist Nurs Pract. 2007 Jul-Aug;21(4):203-7. doi: 10.1097/01.HNP.0000280932.65581.72
Schaffer LF, Peroza LR, Boligon AA, Athayde ML, Alves SH, Fachinetto R, Wagner C. Harpagophytum procumbens prevents oxidative stress and loss of cell viability in vitro. Neurochem Res. 2013 Nov;38(11):2256-67. doi: 10.1007/s11064-013-1133-x.
Devil's claw root: ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding? Prescrire Int. 2013 Dec;22(144):296.