Devils Claw Capsules

Devil’s claw, scientifically known as Harpagophytum procumbens, is a plant native to Namibia and South Africa. Traditionally, the roots of this plant have been used to treat a wide range of ailments, such as fever, pain, arthritis, and indigestion. In particular, devil’s claw contains iridoid glycosides, a class of compounds which has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, as well as antioxidant effects. This means the plant may have the ability to ward off cell-damaging effects of unstable molecules called free radicals. For these reasons, devil’s claw supplements have been studied as a remedy for inflammatory-related conditions, such as arthritis and gout. In addition, it has been proposed to reduce pain and supports weight loss. Devil’s claw has been proposed as a remedy for inflammatory conditions because it contains plant compounds called iridoid glycosides, particularly harpagoside. Devil’s Claw is also beneficial in decreasing the progression of osteoarthritis by preventing cartilage degradation. A study in mice showed that harpagoside significantly suppressed the action of cytokines, which are molecules in your body known to promote inflammation.

It may improve Arthritis and Osteoarthritis, symptoms of Gout, relieve back-pain, promote weight loss due to the suppressing of hunger hormone (ghrelin).  This herb may be useful for weight loss in suppressing hunger pangs if overeating is a problem, and could make it a promising treatment for "Binge Eating Disorder". In fact Devil’s Claw is now being investigated for its use as an anti-obesity treatment. It has also been found to regulate blood pressure. It can provide considerable relief from heartburn as it soothes the inflammation caused by acid reflux.

Devil’s Claw has been used for centuries, if not millennia, by dwellers of the Kalahari region to treat illnesses such as fevers, diseases of the digestive tract, skin problems, and various aches and pains. The plant itself lives in very harsh conditions and stores many nutrients and moisture in the roots which makes them fat and phytochemical rich. The San Bushmen prepare a tea from the fresh root which they drink regularly. Some anthropologists have observed that you hardly ever see any of the San people hobbling and attribute this to the amount of Devil’s Claw that is consumed. 

The root of Devil’s Claw has been used medicinally for thousands of years by the San and Khoi people of the Kalahari Desert. Ancient African healers would use this root to treat a wide spectrum of complaints, ranging from pain during child birth, fevers, wounds and joint pain to its most common application for indigestion.

In around 1906 it was discovered by Western medicine in the form of a German colonial soldier, G H Mehnert, who spent the next 40 years studying the properties of this fascinating and powerful herb.

Iridoid glycosides, harpagoside, 8-p-coumaroylharpagide, 8-feruloylharpagide, 8-cinnamoylmyoporoside, pagoside, acteoside, isoacteoside, 6'-O-acetylacteoside, 6-diacetylacteoside, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, procumbide, and procumboside.

Other componants include: flavonoids, fatty acids, aromatic acids, harpagoquinone, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, triterpenes and sugars.