Devil's Claw
Harpagophytum procumbens
A southern African root recognised in the EU as a traditional medicine for minor joint pain and mild digestive problems. Trials of variable quality suggest it helps osteoarthritis and back pain.
Safety at a glance
- Pregnancy1 note →
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- Medicines1 note →
- Who should avoid it2 notes →
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- ToxicityNothing recorded
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
Devil's Claw may interact with some medicines. If you take any medicine, read Interactions with medicines below and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.
What is Devil's Claw?
- Plant family
- Pedaliaceae, the sesame family
- Parts used
- The dried side roots (tubers), as tea, powder or extract
- Where it grows
- Southern Africa, including Namibia
- Genus
- Harpagophytum
- Species
- procumbens
Also called
Devils Claw, Grapple Plant, Harpagophytum
Regional names
Sengaparile
Older scientific names
Harpagophytum zeyheri
Traditionally used for
- Joint pain
- Osteoarthritis and back pain (studied)
- Bloating and loss of appetite (traditional)
Traditionally described as
Health topics
Where Devil's Claw appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Bloating
A traditional EU herbal medicine for mild bloating and wind.
- Joint Discomfort
A traditional EU herbal medicine for minor joint pain; trials of variable quality in osteoarthritis and back pain suggest it helps.
- Loss of Appetite
A traditional EU herbal medicine for temporary loss of appetite.
Traditions that use it
- African Traditional Medicine
Used by peoples of southern Africa for digestion, pain, fever, childbirth and as a tonic; the powder was put on wounds.
How it's prepared
Common ways Devil's Claw is prepared or sold. This isn't advice on how to take it; see Safety below.
- Extract
Dry, soft and liquid extracts of the root are sold as tablets, capsules or liquids.[1]Health agency
- Powder
The powdered root is taken by mouth in tablets or capsules.[1]Health agency
- Tea / Infusion
The dried, cut root is made into an herbal tea.[1]Health agency
Safety
Interactions with medicines
In animal studies, devil's claw changed heart rate, the strength of heart contractions and blood pressure, and affected some types of irregular heartbeat. It hasn't been shown to interact with heart medicines in people, but if you take medicine for heart rhythm or blood pressure, or have heart disease, talk to your doctor before using it.[2]Study
Technical detail: negative chronotropic and dose-dependent inotropic effects; protection against hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias in isolated rat hearts.
Who should avoid it
Don't use devil's claw if you have an active stomach or duodenal ulcer. People with gallstones should ask a doctor first. Joint pain with swelling, redness or fever should be checked by a doctor. It hasn't been shown to be safe for under-18s.[1]Health agency
Many devil's claw products list heart disease as a reason not to use them.[3]Study
Side effects
Reported side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, headache and dizziness, and allergic reactions such as rash, hives and facial swelling.[1]Health agency
Pregnancy
Its safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding hasn't been established, so it isn't recommended then.[1]Health agency
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
The first written record of devil's claw use, from Namibia in 1907, describes how a Herero man, Samuel Kariko, used it for cough, diarrhea, constipation and sexually transmitted diseases. Later accounts describe teas of the root for digestion, childbirth, pain, fever, diabetes, infections and as a tonic, and the dried powder as a wound dressing.[2]Study
The European Medicines Agency recognises devil's claw root as a traditional herbal medicine, based on long use, for:
- Relief of minor joint pain (see a doctor if it lasts more than 4 weeks)
- Mild digestive problems such as bloating and wind, and temporary loss of appetite (see a doctor if they last more than 2 weeks)
It's for adults only.[1]Health agency
Research in people
Devil's claw has been studied in more than 50 human studies, mainly for osteoarthritis and low back pain. A 2021 review found that randomised, placebo-controlled trials, though of variable quality, suggest it helps and is generally safe, with mostly mild stomach side effects in trials lasting up to a year.[2]Study
In short
Not with an active stomach ulcer; ask a doctor first if you have gallstones, heart disease or take heart-rhythm or blood pressure medicine. Not recommended in pregnancy.
Sources
- [1] European Union herbal monograph on Harpagophytum procumbens DC. and/or Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne., radix (EMA/HMPC/627057/2015) — European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC)Government health agency
- [2] From Bush Medicine to Modern Phytopharmaceutical: A Bibliographic Review of Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum spp.) · DOI: 10.3390/ph14080726Peer-reviewed study
- [3] Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): is the buzz in Google justified? · DOI: 10.1007/s00210-025-03974-7Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.