• Vitamins & Supplements
  • Food & Drink
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Free From
  • Natural Beauty
  • Weight Management
  • Offers
  • Summer Shop
  • The Health Hub
  • Learn more Healthbox
  • Account
Track your order Delivery & Returns Help Centre My subscriptions

Customer Service

  • Contact us
  • Site map
  • Site map
  • Store locator

About us

  • Who are we
  • Working at Holland & Barrett
  • Press releases
  • Privacy & cookie policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Holland & Barrett More
  • Holland & Barrett International
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Modern Slavery Statement

Connect with us

Store
0370 606 6606
My account
Rewards
  • Sign in
  • How do I join?
  • What are the benefits?
  • FAQs
Holland & Barrett :: the good life
  • Menu
  • Account
  • Store
  • Basket
    Search for
    • Vitamins & Supplements
    • Food & Drink
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Free From
    • Natural Beauty
    • Weight Management
    • Offers
    • The Health Hub
    • Healthbox

    Home / Vitamins & Supplements / Herbal & Licensed / Devil’s claw: benefits, dosage, side-effects

    devils claw flower
    devils claw flower

    Devil’s claw: benefits, dosage, side-effects

    Find out all about devil’s claw, including what it does, the benefits to taking it and how much you might need

    Written by Jack Feeney on January 8, 2019
    Reviewed by Gabriella Clarke on January 22, 2019

    Overview

    What is devil’s claw and what does it do?

    Devil’s claw, scientifically known as Harpagophytum procumbens, is an African plant mainly used to ease joint pain – including back pain – inflammatory complaints, and digestive disorders.1

    The plant is named after its fruit, which is covered in spikes that resemble the talons on a claw, but it’s actually the root that tends to be dried out, powdered, and used in remedies.2

    You can find devil’s claw in teas, tablets and capsules. It’s also available in beauty products such as herbal bath soaks, gels and massage oils.

    Benefits of devil’s claw

    What does devil’s claw do in the body?

    The European Medicines Agency says that devil’s claw can be used to relieve minor joint pain and mild digestive disorders, such as bloating or flatulence.3 As a traditional herbal medicine, it’s used for the relief of backache, rheumatic or muscular pain, and general aches and pains in the muscles and joints.

    It’s thought devil’s claw may have this effect due to anti-inflammatory compounds called iridoid glycosides, especially harpagoside, that help suppress the body’s inflammatory responses.4,5

    Studies have found the plant could tackle a number of common complaints, such as:

    • lower back pain: A 2016 review of 10 different trials, on over 2,000 people, concluded that devil’s claw was more effective than a placebo at reducing lower back pain. However, the researchers called for more trials to be carried out, testing devil’s claw and other herbal medicines against conventional treatments.6
    • osteoarthritis: Versus Arthritis, the UK’s leading arthritis research charity, says ‘evidence suggests that devil’s claw may be as effective as conventional medicines for osteoarthritis.’7 A study published in the journal Phytomedicine in 2002 found that patients with hip or knee arthritis taking a supplement containing devil’s claw over eight weeks saw a 54% and 39% improvement respectively in their pain levels.8
    • digestive issues: The compounds in devil’s claw that give it a bitter taste are thought to increase production of stomach acid, which can stimulate appetite and relieve indigestion.9,10

    While the evidence is inconclusive, devil’s claw could also be effective for:11

    • allergies
    • fevers
    • headaches

    Dosage

    How much devil’s claw is safe to take?

    Herbal preparations vary, so make sure you follow the recommendations on any product packaging or labels. While there is no set upper limit, the European Medicines Agency guidelines do not advise exceeding 800mcg to 1g of devil’s claw a day.12

    For gels, oils or creams, apply a thin layer as needed to the affected area until it has been absorbed. However, if any itching or redness develops, stop using it and see your GP.

    Children under the age of 18, pregnant woman and people with stomach ulcers should all avoid taking devil’s claw.13

    Side-effects

    What are the side-effects of taking devil’s claw?

    Side-effects of devil’s claw are unusual, but those that have been reported include:14

    • stomach ache
    • diarrhoea and vomiting
    • headache
    • vertigo
    • allergic reactions

    Very rarely, it may cause irregular heartbeat and bleeding, so talk to your doctor or a trained medical herbalist before using devil’s claw. Be aware that it can also interact with certain medications, such as anticoagulants, painkillers, heart drugs and medication for stomach ulcers.15

    Shop Herbal Remedies

    Advice is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP before trying any remedies.

    Sources
    1. Encyclopedia.com. Devil’s Claw
    2. Makayla Meixner. Healthline. Devil’s Claw: Benefits, Side Effects and Dosage
    3. European Medicines Agency. Harpagophyti radix
    4. Viljoen A, Mncwangi N, Vermaak I. Anti-inflammatory iridoids of botanical origin
    5. Mncwangi N, et al. Devil’s Claw-a review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity of Harpagophytum procumbens.
    6. Gagnier JJ, et al. Herbal Medicine for Low Back Pain: A Cochrane Review
    7. Versus Arthritis. Devil’s Claw
    8. Chrubasik S, et al. Comparison of outcome measures during treatment with the proprietary Harpagophytum extract doloteffin in patients with pain in the lower back, knee or hip
    9. Thorne Research. Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw). Alternative Medicine Review Volume 13, Number 3
    10. As Source 5
    11. As Source 1
    12. European Medicines Agency. European Union herbal monograph on Harpagophytum procumbens DC. and/or Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne
    13. As above
    14. As Source 2
    15. As Source 7

    Tweet
    Follow on Instagram
    Herbal & Licensed Vitamins & Supplements

    You may also like

    Should my children take omega-3?

    Article

    Should my children take omega-3?

    From foetus through to breastfeeding, toddler, teenage years and beyond, omega-3s are critical for growth,..

    READ MORE...
    How much omega-3 do I need?

    Article

    How much omega-3 do I need?

    Sometimes one of the hardest things about building a healthy diet for yourself is knowing..

    READ MORE...
    What is oxidative stress?

    Article

    What is oxidative stress?

    In the context of our bodies, oxidative stress can cause cell damage.1 Oxidative stress is..

    READ MORE...

    Connect with us

    • Log in Register
    • rewards for life

    Customer service

    • Store locator
    • Contact us
    • Site feedback
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Delivery & returns
    • Site map
    • My account

    About us

    • Who we are
    • Working at Holland & Barrett
    • Press room
    • Privacy & cookie policy
    • Terms & conditions
    • Holland & Barrett More
    • Holland & Barrett International

    Brands

    • Holland & Barrett
    • Bootea
    • Dr Organic
    • Precision Engineered
    • Manuka Doctor
    • Good n Natural
    • Miaroma
    Register
    Click to verify if this website is operating legally

    Copyright © Holland & Barrett Retail Limited, 2017. All rights reserved. hollandandbarrett.com is a trading name of Holland & Barrett Retail Limited,. Registered office: Samuel Ryder House, Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7RH. Registered in England: company no. 2758955. Registered VAT no. 211727395.