-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw)
botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Harpagophytum procumbens
synonyms: devil's claw, Cape grapple plant, grapple plant, teufelskralle, trampelklette, griffe du diable
part(s) used: tuber
qualities: bitter
affinities:
actions: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiphlogistic, bitter tonic
dosage:
» powder: 100 - 250 mg
» tincture: 0.5 - 1.5 ml.
therapy: rheumatoid arthritis, spondylosis, neuralgia, headaches; gastrointestinal complaints: dyspepsia, meteorism, gallbladder dysfunction; obesity, hyperlipidemia
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d
toxicity: 1
» contraindicated in erosive gastritis, stomach inflammation, and gastric or duodenal ulcers due to stimulation of of stomach acid secretion by bitter iridoid substances harpagoside and procumbide (Weiss, p. 48, Wichtl, De Smet, Brooks)
» contraindicated in gallstones due to choleretic effect (Wichtl)
» the tough fibrous nature of this plant makes it difficult to digest and/or pass through the digestive tract (Duke, p. 222)
constituents: glycosides, phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, triterpenes, flavonoids, free acids
footnotes
Brooks S (ed.). 1995. Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot. Med, 1:147-58.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.
Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.