Devil's Claw: Does It Really Work?
Devil's Claw: Does It Really Work?
Devil's Claw is a plant indigenous to South Africa. From the dried roots of
Devil's Claw, the natives prepared healing formulations to treat arthritis,
fever, and indigestion. Today many herbalists consider the plant
effective in treating and alleviating the pain caused by arthritis.
It remains unclear though, just how Devil's Claw works to reduce
swelling and pain. The latest medical findings conclude that substances
in the plant do not exert anti-inflammatory as much as standard anti-
inflammatory medications do. In Europe, however, extracts of the herb
are sometimes injected around an arthritic joint with reportedly effective
results.
A survey reported this year in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases
cautioned against the combined usage of herbal and medical treatments
to ease inflammation. The survey warns that combining a medical anti-
inflammatory drug with Devil's Claw in particular could yield adverse
results in the patient such as the risk of bleeding disorders.
Devil's Claw is said to stimulate appetite and control indigestion. Sipped
periodically over several days, a strong boiled tea made from the plant's
roots does the job. German health authorities attest to the tea's efficacy
in treating discomforts caused by peptic ulcers.
Extracts of Devil's Claw are available in tincture, powder, liquid, dried
herb, tea and capsule formats.