What Is Devil's Claw? Benefits, Uses, and Scientific Research

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri) is a traditional African botanical best known for its historical use in supporting joint comfort, mobility, digestive wellness, and general well-being. Despite its unusual name, devil's claw does not get its name from the appearance of its root. Instead, the name refers to the plant's distinctive fruit, which is covered with curved, hook-like projections.

The underground tubers of devil's claw are the primary parts used in herbal preparations. They contain naturally occurring compounds called iridoid glycosides, particularly harpagoside, which have become a major focus of scientific research.

Modern studies have investigated devil's claw primarily for its potential role in supporting joint comfort and musculoskeletal wellness. While some human research is promising, devil's claw should not be considered a treatment or cure for arthritis, chronic pain, or another medical condition.

What Is Devil's Claw?

Devil's claw is a low-growing flowering plant native to southern Africa. It belongs to the Pedaliaceae family and produces distinctive fruits with long, curved hooks or "claws," which inspired its common name.

The plant develops a primary root and secondary storage tubers beneath the ground. These secondary tubers are typically harvested, dried, and used to make herbal preparations.

Devil's claw contains several naturally occurring plant compounds, including:

• Harpagoside

• Harpagide

• Procumbide

• Phenolic compounds

• Flavonoids

• Other iridoid glycosides

Harpagoside is particularly important because it is frequently used as a marker compound when devil's claw extracts are standardized for research and commercial herbal preparations.

Where Does Devil's Claw Come From?

Devil's claw is native to the dry regions of southern Africa, particularly areas of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.

The plant thrives in hot, arid environments and sandy soils. It has a long history of use among Indigenous communities of southern Africa, where preparations made from its underground portions have traditionally been used for a variety of wellness purposes.

Over time, knowledge of devil's claw spread beyond Africa. The herb became particularly popular in European herbal medicine and is now available internationally as a dietary supplement.

Because global demand has increased, responsible harvesting and sustainable cultivation are important considerations when sourcing devil's claw.

How Is Devil's Claw Used?

The secondary tubers of devil's claw are typically dried and processed into herbal preparations.

Common forms include:

• Capsules and tablets

• Powdered devil's claw

• Liquid extracts

• Herbal tinctures

• Teas and decoctions

• Standardized herbal extracts

• Multi-herb joint and mobility formulas

Traditional applications have included digestive wellness, appetite support, joint comfort, and general musculoskeletal wellness.

Today, devil's claw is most commonly found in supplements formulated to support healthy joints, comfortable movement, flexibility, and mobility.

What Are the Benefits of Using Devil's Claw?

Devil's claw has been researched more extensively than many traditional botanicals, particularly in relation to musculoskeletal health. However, evidence varies considerably depending on the preparation, dosage, and condition being studied.

Supports Joint Comfort

Joint wellness is perhaps the best-known modern use of devil's claw.

Clinical research has investigated devil's claw preparations in people experiencing osteoarthritis-related discomfort, particularly involving the knees and hips.

Some studies and systematic reviews have reported improvements in pain or physical function. However, differences between study designs and devil's claw preparations make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions.

For dietary supplement purposes, describing devil's claw as helping support joint comfort and healthy mobility is more appropriate than claiming that it treats arthritis.

Supports Comfortable Movement and Mobility

Healthy mobility depends on comfortable joints, muscles, and connective tissues.

Because devil's claw has traditionally been used for musculoskeletal wellness and has been investigated scientifically for joint-related discomfort, it is commonly incorporated into herbal supplements designed to support flexibility, mobility, and comfortable movement.

This can make devil's claw particularly relevant to individuals looking for botanical support as part of an active lifestyle.

Supports a Healthy Inflammatory Response

Harpagoside and other compounds found in devil's claw have been investigated for their potential effects on biological pathways involved in inflammation.

Laboratory studies have explored effects involving inflammatory mediators and signaling pathways. These mechanisms may help researchers better understand the plant's traditional association with joint and musculoskeletal comfort.

It is important to distinguish supporting the body's normal inflammatory response from treating an inflammatory disease. Devil's claw supplements should not be promoted as treatments for inflammatory disorders.

May Support Back Comfort

Devil's claw has also been studied for low-back discomfort.

Several clinical trials have evaluated standardized devil's claw extracts in individuals experiencing nonspecific low-back pain. Some research has reported beneficial effects, although the overall evidence remains limited.

These findings have contributed to devil's claw's popularity in supplements formulated for musculoskeletal comfort.

Traditional Digestive Support

Although modern attention tends to focus on joints and mobility, devil's claw also has a history of traditional use for digestive wellness.

The plant's naturally bitter compounds have traditionally been associated with appetite and digestion. Bitter herbs have historically been consumed to stimulate normal digestive processes.

Scientific research into devil's claw's digestive applications is much less developed than research involving musculoskeletal wellness.

Devil's Claw and Healthy Joint Support

Devil's claw has become particularly valued in modern herbalism because traditional use and scientific investigation overlap in the area of joint and musculoskeletal wellness.

The plant's harpagoside content has attracted considerable scientific attention. Researchers have investigated how devil's claw extracts may influence biological processes associated with inflammatory signaling and discomfort.

For individuals interested in maintaining an active lifestyle, devil's claw may be incorporated into an overall wellness routine designed to support:

• Joint comfort

• Healthy mobility

• Flexibility

• Comfortable movement

• Normal inflammatory response

• Musculoskeletal wellness

Devil's claw should not be considered a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment for persistent joint or back pain.

Scientific Research on Devil's Claw

Scientific research on devil's claw has focused heavily on its potential effects on joint discomfort, osteoarthritis-related symptoms, low-back discomfort, and inflammatory processes.

A Cochrane systematic review examining herbal medicines for low-back pain found evidence suggesting that certain standardized preparations of devil's claw may provide short-term improvements in pain compared with placebo. However, the researchers also emphasized limitations in the available evidence and the need for additional high-quality studies.

A systematic review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine examined clinical evidence involving devil's claw for osteoarthritis and low-back pain. The researchers found encouraging results from several studies but also noted methodological limitations.

The European Medicines Agency has also evaluated devil's claw root based on its history of medicinal use. Its herbal monograph recognizes traditional use for relief of minor joint pain and certain mild digestive complaints within the European traditional herbal medicinal framework. This does not mean devil's claw has been proven to cure arthritis or other joint diseases.

Laboratory research continues to examine harpagoside and other compounds found in devil's claw to better understand their potential influence on inflammatory pathways and other biological processes.

Overall, devil's claw is a well-established traditional botanical with promising research related to musculoskeletal wellness, but additional rigorous human clinical trials are still needed.

Devil's Claw Safety and Considerations

Devil's claw is generally well tolerated when used appropriately, but it may not be suitable for everyone.

Reported side effects are primarily gastrointestinal and may include diarrhea, stomach discomfort, nausea, or abdominal symptoms.

Because devil's claw may interact with certain medications or affect physiological processes, individuals taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using it.

Additional caution may be appropriate for individuals with gastrointestinal disorders, gallstones, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, or those taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid devil's claw unless its use has been specifically approved by their healthcare professional because adequate safety information is not available.

The Bottom Line

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a traditional southern African herb that has become internationally recognized for its potential role in joint comfort, mobility, flexibility, and musculoskeletal wellness.

Its naturally occurring iridoid glycosides—particularly harpagoside—have been extensively investigated in laboratory research, while several human clinical studies have explored devil's claw preparations for joint and back discomfort.

Although the available research is promising in certain areas, devil's claw should be viewed as a botanical that may support normal joint and musculoskeletal wellness, rather than as a treatment or cure for arthritis, chronic pain, or inflammatory disease.

References and Further Reading

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – Osteoarthritis: In Depth
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/osteoarthritis-in-depth

PubMed – Devil's Claw for Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15353052/

PubMed – Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): A Review of Efficacy and Safety
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Harpagophytum+procumbens+efficacy+safety

Cochrane – Herbal Medicine for Low-Back Pain
https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD004504_herbal-medicine-low-back-pain

European Medicines Agency – Harpagophyti Radix (Devil's Claw Root)
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/harpagophyti-radix

PubMed – Devil's Claw Research
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Harpagophytum+procumbens

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using dietary supplements, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medication, or managing a medical condition.