PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS DEVIL"S CLAW /247

DOSAGE

Preparation: Honey made from dates is produced in Algeria

using juice-rich dates, which are dried in the sun; the leftover

liquid results in date honey. Date honey is used to treat chest

complaints.

LITERATURE

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.). Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8. Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Wylegalla R, Biblische Botanik: Pflanzen und F-iichte aus dem

gelobten Land. In: DAZ 137(11):867-869. 1997.

Datura stramonium

See Jimson Weed

Daucus carota

See Wild Carrot

Delphinium consolida

See Larkspur

Delphinium staphisagria

See Stave sac re

Devil's Claw
Harpagophytum procumbens
TRADE NAMES
Devil's Claw (available from a number of manufacturers),
Devil's Claw Secondary Root, Devil's Claw Root Tuber
DESCRIPTION

• Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried tubular
  secondary roots and the thick lateral tubers.
  Flower and Fruit: The flowers grow on short pedicles in the
  leaf axils and are solitary, large and foxglove-like. The petals
  are pale-pink to crimson. The seed capsules are bivalvular,
  compressed at the sides and ovate. The capsules are 7 to 20
  cm long, 6 cm in diameter, and very woody with longitudi-
  nally striped rind. They have a double row of elastic, arm-
  like, branched appendages with an anchor-like hook. The

capsules contain about 50 dark oblong seeds with a rough

surface.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is perennial and leafy. It

has a branched root system and branched, prostrate shoots 1

to 1.5 m long. The leaves are petiolate and lobed, and may be

opposite or alternate. The aerial parts of the plant die back in

the dry season. The tuber (storage) roots are formed from the

main and lateral roots. The main roots have obtuse,

quadrangular, upright collar-like sections, 10 to 20 cm long

and 30 to 60 cm thick, which are covered in a fissured cork

layer. The nodes of the lateral roots are up to 60 mm thick

and 20 cm long, and are light-brown to red-brown on the

outside. The roots extend out to an area of about 150 cm

around the plant and grow down to a depth of 30 to 60 cm.

Characteristics: The dried, pulverized secondary tubers and

roots are yellowish-gray to bright pink and horn-like in their

hardness. They have a bitter taste.

Habitat: The plant originated in South Africa and Namibia,

and has spread throughout the Savannas and the Kalahari.

Production: Devil's Claw root consists of the dried lateral

roots and secondary tubers of Harpagophytum procumbens.

The lateral roots are cut into slices or pieces, or pulverized

immediately after digging because they harden and become

very difficult to cut once dry.

Other Names: Grapple Plant, Wood Spider

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Liridoide monoterpenes: including harpagoside (extremely

bitter), harpagide, procumbide

Phenylethanol derivatives: including acteoside (verbasco-

side); isoacteoside

Oligosaccharides: stachyose

Harpagoquinones (traces)

EFFECTS

Devil's Claw stimulates gastric juice secretion and is

choleretic. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic (and tiius anti-ar-

thritic) effect has been shown in animal experiments.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Dyspeptic complaints


• Loss of appetite


• Rheumatism
  Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, Devil's Claw is used as an
  ointment for skin injuries and disorders. The dried root is
  used for pain relief; pregnancy discomforts; arthritis; aller-
  gies; metabolic disorders; and kidney, bladder, liver and