Harpagophytum procumbens

Family

Pedeliaceae (Sesame Family)

Etymology

The genus name Harpagophytum is Greek for "grapple plant." The species name, procumbens, is Latin for "lying down" or "prostrate." The common name devil's claw refers to the hooklike seed capsules.          

Range of Appearance

Native to the sandy soils of the Kalahari Desert and Nubian steppes of Africa, devil's claw is a prostrate evergreen perennial. Its gray-green leaves are opposite and irregularly divided into several lobes. The trumpet-shaped flowers have reddish orange or red to purple petals with yellow, white, or purple centers. The flowers bloom for only three or four days. The plant bears sharp, hooklike seeds that look like claws and cling to passersby.

Parts Used

Secondary tubers

Physiological Effects

Alterative, analgesic, anodyne, antiarthritic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, bitter, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, laxative, lithotriptic, liver tonic, sedative, smooth muscle relaxant, stimulant

Medicinal Uses

Devil's claw has been used for over two hundred and fifty years by many cultures in South Africa, including the Bantu and Khoikhoi (Hottentot). The herb stimulates the detoxifying and protective mechanisms of the body, helps potentiate the body's natural antirheumatic agents, aids in the elimination of uric acid, and relaxes the muscles. Devil's claw is used to treat acne, allergies, arthritis, asthma, bursitis, coughs, diabetes, dyspepsia, fever, gout, hay fever, headache, high cholesterol, indigestion, lumbago, neuralgia, osteoarthritis, pain, and rheumatism. It is considered more effective for the treatment of osteoarthritis than for rheumatoid arthritis. Topically, devil's claw can be applied as a healing poultice to boils, lesions, and wounds.    

Culinary Uses

Not generally considered edible, aside from as tea.

Other Uses

None reported.

Constituents

Luteolin, procumbine, harpagia, iridoid glycosides (harpagoside, aceteoside, procumbide), phytosterols (beta-sitosterols)

Contraindications

There are no known harmful side effects from longterm use of devil's claw, though there have been some reports of allergic reactions to the plant. It may take a couple of weeks to notice results. Use devil's claw in combination with demulcent herbs to avoid irritating the digestive tract, and avoid it during pregnancy.

Plant details were provided by iPlant by Brigitte Mars.

Hyperlink it to https://brigittemars.com/iplant-app/