DEVIL'S CLAW
The herbal remedy identified as devil's claw by herbalists is in fact, the secondary storage roots of the plant Harpagophylum procumbens DC., which is a native South African herb of the plant family known as Pedaliaceae. The plants peculiarly shaped fruits give the herbal remedy its common name “Devil’s Claw”, as the fruits seem to be covered all over with what resemble miniature grappling hooks. Devil's claw, is the name commonly attributed to the plant in the United States, this interesting name is in reality, a literal translation of the German common name Teufelskralle by which it was first identified. The other synonymous name for this herb in the English language includes the “wood spider” and the “grapple plant”. Scientific studies have confirmed many of the folklore based herbal indications which suggest that devil's claw has many proven uses, both as an anti-arthritic and anti-rheumatic agent - many studies have independently verified this contention. The herb also has other uses, and to this day, it continues to be widely utilized, as a stimulant for appetite and as an aid to digestion - largely in the continent of Europe. There are no side effects and devil's claw is believed to be free of all appreciable toxic effects - remedies from the herb are therefore quite safe for long term use by patients. Different tribal people in South Africa have traditionally used devil's claw as a part of their herbal remedies; these include the Khoikhoin and the Bantu peoples. The tonic made from devil's claw has traditionally been used very widely and it has many purported benefits, particularly in the alleviation of various digestive problems. The herbal tonic has also been used in the treatment of arthritis and long term rheumatism; it has been used to reduce persistent fevers. The herbal remedies made from devil’s claw has also seen widespread use in the form of an ointment to treat sores, various types of ulcers, and boils on the skin. The use of the herbal remedies made from the devil's claw, today in the West is broadly similar to its traditional application and use in tribal medicine. Many herbal shops commonly stock devil's claw as over the counter medication, in tablet form for the treatment of arthritic and rheumatic conditions. The herbal remedy can help relieve pain produced by a range of joint and muscular problems, which can include the common gout, all forms of back pain, disorders such as fibrositis, and long term rheumatoid arthritis. A variety of conditions are treated using the remedies made from devil's claw. This herb is usually recommended for the treatment of conditions such as all forms of disorders and diseases affecting the liver, the conditions affecting the kidneys, and the urinary bladder, it is also used in the treatment of various allergies, and disorders such as long term arteriosclerosis, it is used in the treatment of lumbago and other back problems, it is used in the treatment of different types of gastrointestinal disturbances, it is used in the treatment of many forms of menstrual difficulties. Conditions such as neuralgia and persistent headache are treated using the herb. The herb is also used in the treatment of climacteric -change of life - induced problems and conditions, it is used in the treatment of heartburn, to treat nicotine poisoning, and last but not least, in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis in patients. Devil's claw supposed ability to induce abortion in users remains unverified and is probably false. This rumor may have developed due to the misinterpretation of an early statement by Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk who stated that the herb was extensively used by African natives to help alleviate the pain felt by pregnant women and who also reported its widespread use in native women anticipating a difficult delivery or long labor. Some still consider this herb a “wonder” even when they discounted this supposed bad property, as a lot of therapeutic activities can be attributed to devil’s claw.
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