Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) belongs to the sesame family and thrives in the African savanna. The plant grows in deep, sandy soils in regions with sparse vegetation. The unusual name "devil's claw" refers to the shape of the ripe, split seed capsules.

Devil's claw was first brought to Germany during the First World War and was later studied for its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties.

The active ingredients are found in the roots. Devil's claw roots contain bitter substances called iridoid glycosides, such as... Harpagoside, which possesses anti-inflammatory propertiesIt inhibits, among other things, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which helps to reduce inflammation.

The Devil's claw root extract It not only works It is not only anti-inflammatory, but also pain-relieving and decongestant. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for treatment. rheumatic conditions such as osteoarthritis and others degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The devil's claw points out a similar spectrum of activity to synthetic anti-inflammatories Furthermore, according to current knowledge, treatment with devil's claw root extracts appears to have a lower risk of side effects than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

dosage

A daily dose of 50 to 100 mg of harpagoside is recommended. – d.hSo, 4-6 capsules. For legal reasons, a lower amount than the recommended daily intake must be stated for supplements.. This generally applies to dietary supplements and is important to understand: The recommended daily intake is i.d.RThe dosage is always so low that it has no physiological effect. If it did, it would be a medicine, not a food product, by definition. Therefore, it is up to the informed consumer to choose the appropriate dosage.

Study situation

Clinical studies have u.aStudies have shown that taking devil's claw extract can lead to a significant reduction in pain and improved joint function in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. In a study with 122 patients, daily intake of a powder extract containing 57 mg of harpagoside over four months resulted in a significant reduction in pain and a decreased need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The following studies demonstrate the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of devil's claw, especially in cases of back pain and osteoarthritis:

1. Chrubasik et al. (1996) – Back pain

Study: Double-blind study with patients suffering from chronic back pain.
Result: A significant reduction in pain was observed in participants who received devil's claw extract compared to the placebo group.

2. Chrubasik et al. (1999) – Osteoarthritis treatment

Study: Randomized controlled trial with 89 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
Result: Improvement in mobility and pain reduction after 8 weeks of devil's claw extract (600 mg/day).

3. Wegener && Lupke (2003) – Comparison with NSAIDs

Study: Comparison of devil's claw with conventional anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in osteoarthritis patients.
Result: Devil's claw showed a comparable effect to NSAIDs, but with fewer side effects.

4. Lecomte et al. (1992) – Rheumatoid arthritis

Study: Investigation of the effect of devil's claw on rheumatic diseases.
Result: Moderate improvement in pain and mobility, but not as strong as with conventional rheumatism medications.

5. Chrubasik et al. (2002) – Meta-analysis on pain reduction

Study: Analysis of several studies on the effectiveness of devil's claw in chronic pain.
Result: Evidence of significant pain relief in back pain and osteoarthritis, especially at high doses (≥ 50 mg harpagoside/day).

6. Gagnier et al. (2004) – Systematic review of plant extracts in osteoarthritis

Study: Systematic analysis of various herbal preparations, including devil's claw.
Result: Devil's claw showed good efficacy against pain, with a similar effect to mild painkillers.