Devil's Claw Root 500mg 100 Caps - NOW

This plant is native to southern Africa as well as eastern Africa. The South African folk medicine and Western employed devil's claw as a remedy for digestive problems, arthritic and rheumatoid conditions, liver, kidney, bladder complaints, blood disorders, allergies and general manifestations of aging. It was also used as a febrifuge ( a substance that reduces fever) and as an ointment for sores, ulcers and boils. A medley of constituents have been isolated and identified from the tubers and roots of the plant. The iridoid glycosides collectively called harpagosides, as well as beta-sitosterol have been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Sugars such as stachyose, and phytosterols, flavonoids and harpagoquinones are also found within the tubers of devil's claw.

Current clinical investigations have shown devil's claw to exert potent anti-inflammatory properties. Reports show reduced swelling, pain relief, and improved mobility in the joints of subjects taking devil's claw. The British Pharmacopeia recognizes devil's claw as having anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic, sedative and diuretic properties. Symptoms of dyspepsia (imperfect or painful digestion) and conditions related to improper functioning of bile salts, gallbladder and the liver/intestinal circuit have all shown improvement when subjects were administered preparations of devil's claw. "It should be noted that whole devil's claw was found to be superior ".

A variety of other herbs, when used in combination with devil's claw, may enhance its effectiveness in the body and these include Oregon grape root, black cohosh, guaiacum, and ginger root. Side effects associated with devil's claw are rare, however, it should be avoided during pregnancy as it possibly stimulates uterine muscles. Patient's suffering from gastric or duodenal ulcers are cautioned against the use of devil's claw because of its digestive-stimulating properties.