Giving Devil’s Claw Its Due

Devil’s Claw, a tuber perennial that is named for it’s claw-shaped hooks, grows in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The women of these countries have typically been able to support themselves and their families through the wild harvesting of Devil’s Claw. Unfortunately, this plant could soon be endangered due to an increasing demand from European and American markets.

In Africa, people have been using Devil’s Claw for centuries to treat fever, inflammation and pain. The South African farmer, G.H. Mehnert, observed the ways that native Africans used it and brought it to Germany in 1953 for further study. Since then, scientists in Germany and France have found it to be effective for lower back pain and osteoarthritis.

The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy has approved Devil’s Claw as a treatment for arthritis and tendinitis. Interestingly, there has been one study showing that Devil’s Claw was an effective anti-inflammatory in horses. It’s not as well-know in the United States because there have been fewer studies conducted here.

Like many herbs available today, Devil’s Claw should not by used by pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under the age of 2 as studies have not proven it is safe with these groups.

People with gallstones, diabetes or stomach ulcers you should not use Devil’s Claw. Despite being considered generally safe by most herbalists, it should not be taken in conjunction with Prilosec, Prevacid, Valium, Soma, Ibuprofin, Celebrex, Coumidin, Cozaar, Allegra, Halcion.

It has no known interactions with other natural supplements or foods.

Devil’s Claw could be a Godsend for those with lower back or arthritis pain, but only if used properly.