Devil’s claw is used for loss of appetite and digestive complaints (dyspeptic complaints) associated with symptoms such as flatulence, bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and pain in the upper abdomen.
Devil’s claw for joint problems and pain.
Supportively, the root can also be used in various degenerative diseases and signs of wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system, such as a chronic painful destruction of the articular cartilage and osteoarthritis (wear and tear of the joints).
According to recent clinical studies, devil’s claw root is also said to provide relief from various types of back pain (for example, caused by degeneratively altered vertebral bodies), soft tissue rheumatism, nerve pain (neuralgia), and headaches.
In high doses (about 480 mg of the root dry extract twice daily), joint pain in patients with Crohn’s disease can also be treated with the plant.
Application in folk medicine
In folk medicine, the root of devil’s claw is used externally in the form of ointment for sores, ulcers and boils. By the natives of South Africa and Namibia, devil’s claw root has long been used as a versatile remedy for the treatment of digestive disorders, blood disorders, pregnancy and childbirth pains, rheumatism, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gall bladder, liver and kidneys.
Europeans use the plant folk medicine for aging, gout, arthritis (inflammation of the joint), allergies and various metabolic diseases. The plant is also used as a remedy for diabetes, but no scientific justification for this exists.
Homeopathic use of devil’s claw.
Homeopathically, the lateral storage roots of devil’s claw, crushed before drying, are used for diseases of the musculoskeletal system such as rheumatism and diseases of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas.
Ingredients of devil’s claw root.
The main ingredients of devil’s claw root include various bitter substances of the iridoid type such as harpagoside and procumbide. In addition, phenylethanol derivatives such as verbascoside and isoacteoside, cinnamic acid and flavonoids are also present.
The secondary root of devil’s claw is one of the most bitter herbal medicines.
Devil’s claw: indication
Possible medicinal uses of devil’s claw root are:
- Digestive complaints
- Dyspeptic complaints
- Loss of appetite
- Signs of wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system
- Osteoarthritis
- Back pain
- Nerve pain
- Headache
- Soft tissue rheumatism
- Joint pain in Crohn’s disease
