Aches and pains can bring you to a standstill. Herbalist Simon Mills explores Devil’s Claw, its traditional uses and what to know before choosing a herbal medicine.
🕒 5 min read
What is Devil’s Claw?
Devil’s Claw is a southern African plant whose tuberous roots are used in herbal medicines. Registered preparations are traditionally used to relieve backache, rheumatic or muscular pain, and general aches and pains in muscles and joints. These uses are based on traditional use.1
Native to the Kalahari desert in South Africa, Devil's Claw, Harpagophytum procumbens, is a perennial plant that takes its common name from its fruit, which are covered with ferociously curved spines.
Where does it come from?
Devil's Claw has a long history of traditional medicinal use in African medicine. It was used for a variety of conditions including joint and muscle pains, digestive problems, headaches, fever management, and externally for skin inflammation.
Today, its tuberous roots are used to make herbal preparations. Historical uses are background to the plant’s story; the uses and directions on a registered medicine’s label are the guide to choosing and taking it.
What are the benefits and uses of Devil’s Claw?
For adults considering a herbal approach to everyday aches, the key uses are backache, rheumatic or muscular pain and general aches in muscles and joints. Look for a registered traditional herbal medicine with clear directions, such as Devil’s Claw JointAid.
Devil’s Claw JointAid
Traditionally used for backache and muscular pain
- Registered traditional herbal medicine (THR)
- 450mg root extract per tablet
- For backache, rheumatic or muscular pain, and general muscle and joint aches
Based on traditional use only. Always read the leaflet.
Buy nowHow does it work?
It is not known exactly how Devil's Claw works but its tubers have a number of active chemical compounds that have been studied extensively by scientists. One of the best-known is harpagoside, a compound used to help characterise extracts in research.2
The preparation matters: a root powder and different extracts can supply different amounts of plant compounds. This helps explain why the tablet weight alone does not tell you whether two products are equivalent.3
Back pain
A four-week study published in Phytomedicine investigated Devil’s Claw extract in people with long-standing back problems experiencing an acute episode. More people taking the extract were pain-free at the end than those taking placebo, although use of the additional painkiller did not differ between groups.2
This is useful research into a particular extract, rather than a dose recommendation for every Devil’s Claw medicine.
Arthritis and joint discomfort
Devil’s Claw has also been studied for osteoarthritis-related pain. A systematic review found some evidence of benefit with particular preparations, but the findings varied with the extract and dose.3 The European Medicines Agency recognises its traditional use for minor joint pain, while noting that firm conclusions from the clinical studies are difficult to draw.1
How should I take it?
Devil's Claw tablets differ in strength and quality, so make sure you buy a Registered Traditional Herbal Medicine (THR). Follow the directions for the product you choose, rather than copying a dose used in a study.
Dosage and when to take it
For Healthspan Devil’s Claw JointAid, the adult directions are one tablet twice a day, in the morning and evening, swallowed whole with water or another liquid. Each tablet contains 450mg of root extract. Do not exceed the stated dose.
What does 450mg of root extract mean?
The extract weight is the amount of concentrated preparation in each tablet, rather than the weight of the original root. JointAid’s 450mg extract is equivalent to 1,575–2,250mg of Devil’s Claw root. Compare the extract and recommended daily serving when choosing between products.
Can I take it every day, and for how long?
Follow your chosen medicine’s daily directions and keep track of how you feel. Devil’s Claw is not intended to provide instant relief. Studies have assessed changes over several weeks.2 Keep track of your symptoms: the JointAid leaflet advises consulting a doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner if symptoms worsen or have not improved after four weeks.4
Are there any side effects?
Devil’s Claw can cause side effects, including diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and allergic reactions. If you develop an allergic reaction, stop taking it and consult a doctor.4
Who should avoid Devil’s Claw?
JointAid should not be taken by anyone under 18, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, by people with stomach or duodenal ulcers, or by anyone allergic to its ingredients. Speak to your doctor first if you have gallstones. Joint pain with swelling, redness or fever also needs medical advice.4
Taking Devil’s Claw with other medicines
Ask a pharmacist to check your medicines before combining them with a herbal remedy. Take the product name or leaflet with you so they can assess the actual formulation.
Traditional uses: Backache, rheumatic or muscular pain, and general aches in muscles and joints.
Watchpoint: Devil’s Claw can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. If affected, don’t drive or operate machinery.
What to buy: Choose a registered traditional herbal medicine and read its patient leaflet.
Devil’s Claw FAQs
How long does Devil’s Claw take to work?
It is not an instant painkiller. Trials have assessed changes over several weeks. If your symptoms worsen or have not improved after four weeks, seek advice rather than simply continuing.4
Can I take Devil’s Claw every day?
Follow the product’s daily directions and review how you feel. Persistent symptoms need assessment; the JointAid leaflet advises seeking advice if there is no improvement after four weeks.4
What should I look for when buying Devil’s Claw?
Look for a Traditional Herbal Registration (THR), clear daily directions and a patient leaflet. Compare the extract and the amount per daily dose, as well as the tablet count.
Is Devil’s Claw the same as ibuprofen?
No. They are different medicines with different ingredients and evidence. Devil’s Claw should not be assumed to work in the same way, or to share the same suitability or side-effect profile.
Can I take Devil’s Claw with other medicines?
Ask a pharmacist to check your medicines before combining them with a herbal remedy. Take the product name or leaflet with you so they can assess the actual formulation.
Do Devil’s Claw tablets and gels have the same evidence?
No. The studies discussed here tested preparations taken by mouth. A gel may contain different ingredients and amounts; check its own instructions rather than applying tablet research to it.
