-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Harpagophytum procumbens

synonyms: devil's claw, Cape grapple plant, grapple plant, teufelskralle, trampelklette, griffe du diable

part(s) used: tuber

qualities: bitter

affinities:

actions: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiphlogistic, bitter tonic

dosage:

» powder: 100 - 250 mg

» tincture: 0.5 - 1.5 ml.

therapy: rheumatoid arthritis, spondylosis, neuralgia, headaches; gastrointestinal complaints: dyspepsia, meteorism, gallbladder dysfunction; obesity, hyperlipidemia

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d

toxicity: 1

» contraindicated in erosive gastritis, stomach inflammation, and gastric or duodenal ulcers due to stimulation of of stomach acid secretion by bitter iridoid substances harpagoside and procumbide (Weiss, p. 48, Wichtl, De Smet, Brooks)

» contraindicated in gallstones due to choleretic effect (Wichtl)

» the tough fibrous nature of this plant makes it difficult to digest and/or pass through the digestive tract (Duke, p. 222)

constituents: glycosides, phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, triterpenes, flavonoids, free acids

footnotes

Brooks S (ed.). 1995. Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot. Med, 1:147-58.

De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.

Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.

ot. Med, 1:147-58.

De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.

Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.

al Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.