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Supplement Guide: Devil's Claw

[Also known as Devil’s Claw Root, Grapple Plant or Wood Spider]
Harpagophytum procumbens

Origin: A traditional herb used in South Africa.

Dosage: Capsules, tincture, powder and liquid; take 750 mg to 1,000 mg three times a day

Claims: Relieves pain and inflammation. May help lower uric acid levels in people with gout. Acts as a digestive aid and appetite stimulant.

What we know: Harpagoside, the active ingredient in devil’s claw, appears to reduce pain and inflammation in joints. Some studies suggest stomach acid may counteract benefits, so take the supplement between meals when less stomach acid is released.

Studies: In 2002, Phytomedicine published a study of 227 people with non-specific low back pain or osteoarthritis of the knee or hip treated with devil’s claw extract. After eight weeks of taking 60 mg daily, between 50 and 70 percent of people reported improvement in pain, mobility and flexibility.

Do not take devil’s claw if you are pregnant, have gallstones or ulcers, or are taking an antacid or blood thinners. It can affect heart rate and may interfere with cardiac, blood-thinning and diabetes medication. It may also cause diarrhea.

sillin

18 Jan 2012, 09:20

i have osteoarthritis in my right shoulder and lower back my doctor prescribe mobic and robaxin and the pain never leave it moved to the left side of my upper back to my neck so can I take devil's claw instead and for how long?

Leena Nicolaou

08 Jan 2012, 05:02

Does anyone know if liver transplant patients can use Cat's claw ??? when using also rejection medication ?

Ann

29 Oct 2011, 19:07

I have been taking devil's claw alongside Ibuprofen for quite a while now, hoping to eventually cut out the Ibuprofen entirely. Apart from Osteoarthritis I have Fibromyalgia Syndrome/CFS so have various aches and pains which have been helped so much since I have been taking devil's claw. It took about 3 months to actually kick-in, but when I tried to do without it for a few weeks recently all my aches and pains started to re-appear, so needless to say I am now back on the devils' claw, and I don't care what anyone says I won't be coming off it again, because I most certainly do not have any adverse side effects. I hope it helps others the way it has helped me, as an anti-inflammatory it is fantastic.

jim black

03 Jun 2011, 10:37

iv been taking devils claws 4 weeks now for neck pain that ive been having the past 4 years i have been pain free the past 2 weeks.

Darlene McBride

17 May 2011, 12:15

The dr. has be on 6 different medicine and I still have joint pain so severe that sometime I don't even want to get out of bed. The medicine doesn't seem to do any good and Now I'm on Remicade every six weeks with the medicine costing me 7,ooo a pop. I really need some relief.

Kathy H

03 May 2011, 15:45

I am on blood pressure medicine.what can i take for bursitis and osteproarthritis of the hips.I am in pain 24/7. my dr.had me on ibprophon 2 pills 3 times aday and 2 pills of tynenal 3 times aday.messed my stomach up ,big time.

lsquare

12 Apr 2011, 22:31

I am on a daily presciption for blood pressure

i take daily

topral and lotrel for blood pressure

have pain from osteoarthritis (diaganosed by ortho doctor)

will devils claw be ok to take

Laura

11 Apr 2011, 17:41

Will Devil's Claw interact negatively with Plavix

susan chalmers

06 Dec 2010, 09:27

Does Devil's Claw have an effect on blood pressure?

Iris

05 Sep 2010, 14:21

I started my mom on Devils Claw last fall after I was checking out natural pain supplements. She suffers from Spinal Stenosis in her upper and lower back as well as lots of arthritis all over. The Dr. had her on different narcotics and tried everything they could to help but she is allergic to most drugs and all that happened was she fell a lot and couldn't do things for herself. She started noticing improvement within a couple weeks of taking just part of the recommended dose of Devils Claw. She still has pain but is now very mobile and can do most everything for herself which is big improvement for her.

louis james fiorillo

06 Apr 2010, 10:00

WHAT ARE LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS WITH DEVILS CLAW ???? thank you Lou Fiorillo

SamKet

26 Feb 2010, 01:55

Hello everyone,

I am in a position to export raw Devil's Claw (from Botswana) and looking for customers worldwide.

sue

17 Jan 2010, 21:41

Besides having osteoarthritis, rheumotoid arthritis I also have fibromyalgia and was suffering for 4 straight months with a fibro flare up. Nothing the dr gave me worked. I took 2 devil's claw 3 times a day and by the 3rd day 80% of the agonizing pain had subsides. Do I have some bad days yes, however it is nothing like I experienced before the devil's claw. I have told several of my friends about this who also have fibro and were on prescription pain meds and now don't take them because it helped with the inflamation which reduced pain. I get mine at vitamin world great price.

ilesanmi dele

09 Nov 2009, 05:48

hi pls can i get devil claw product in powder form i am in nigeria africa

Margaret

24 Oct 2009, 10:39

Periodically I have a problem with my right hand thumb, have in the past had inflammation at the base of the thumb which was cured by injection. The consultant now reckons I have a bit of arthritis but the pain comes and goes. I have started taking Devils Claw, started two a day and now down to one and haven't had the pain. I have no side affects but how long should I take it please?
Regards
Margaret

Augustine

25 Jul 2009, 10:58

Please I need the exact location and the contact address or addresses where Devil's Claw is grown and cultivated.

Jim Lilly

07 Jul 2009, 12:28

I have taken 3 capsules twice a day TOGETHER with Chondroitin-Glucosamine on an EMPTY STOMACH, for the last three years. In my reading elsewhere I saw that devils clay appears to act as a catayst for other supplements. It appears to work that way with C-G.

The results to my arthritic back, hip, and knees has been extraordinary - I have been pain free in those area for this whole time. In also helps the arthritis in my left wrist and thumb, but has NOT eliminated ALL the pain there.

Regina

27 Apr 2009, 19:03

I have severe knee pain due to lyme disease. I have been taking Devil's Claw by Nature's Sunshine (2 caps, 3 times per day) and it has totally taken away the pain. If there is a day when it does not seem to help, I bump it up to 3 caps, 3 times per day. I have tried other brands and they did not help my knees.

raea

07 Apr 2009, 17:19

I have been taking it along with other treatment 1st thing in morning before I get up (hour before) 600mg 1x a day. It seems to be helping the morning discomfort.

brenda

18 Feb 2009, 11:32

Has anyone every tried Devil's Claw? Does it work?

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Supplement Guide: Devil's Claw

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