Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Devil’s Claw?BenefitsSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageInteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Devil’s Claw?
Benefits
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum), an herb native to southern Africa, is reputed to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer effects.
Research also suggests that the herb may help ease back pain and symptoms of degenerative joint disorders such as arthritis. However, more research is needed before healthcare providers can recommend devil’s claw for these conditions.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Devil’s claw is a dietary supplement that may offer pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s sometimes called grapple plant or wood spider. It is available in the United States and is taken in various dosages. It is available in:
Some 50 research studies suggest that devil’s claw could be used to treat people with degenerative joint diseases (like arthritis) and lower back pain. More research is needed to confirm these benefits and how best to deliver them.
What Are the Benefits of Devil’s Claw?
Like many natural products, people may use devil’s claw for various reasons. Several studies have assessed devil’s claw for its potential uses.
May Relieve Back Pain
Devil’s claw was as effective as NSAIDs at relievinglow-back pain.
Results from another systematic review suggest that devil’s claw may reduce low back pain better than aplacebo(a substance with no medicine). But further research with higher-quality clinical trials is still warranted.
May Improve Osteoarthritis
Devil’s claw—alone or combined with other medicines—may relieveosteoarthritis(also known as wear-and-tear arthritis) pain. Devil’s claw might help some people take lower doses ofnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such asAdvil (ibuprofen).
A systematic review of studies included examples of how people with osteoarthritis may have benefited from devil’s claw. But longer-term studies are still necessary to better evaluate the effectiveness and safety of devil’s claw.
May Reduce Inflammation
Research suggests that compounds found in devil’s claw, includingflavonoidsandphytosterols, may offer anti-inflammatory health benefits. Some studies demonstrate antibacterial, antifungal,antiviraland anticancer effects, though more research is needed.
Devil’s claw shows promise in treating inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 2diabetes.
May Reduce Appetite
Yet while some researchers focus on its possible uses in treatingobesity, keep in mind that devil’s claw also has been used to stimulate appetite in people diagnosed withulcerative colitis.
What Are the Side Effects of Devil’s Claw?
Like many medications and natural products, side effects are possible with devil’s claw. The following may not be a complete list of side effects. If you have any concerns about side effects with devil’s claw, reach out to your pharmacist and healthcare provider.
Common Side Effects
In general, short- or long-term use of devil’s claw appears to be safe. But some common side effects include:
Severe Side Effects
Serious side effects may include:
If you’re having a severe allergic reaction or if any of your symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911 and get medical help right away.
What Are the Precautions?
Devil’s claw may pose risks. People who should not take devil’s claw may include those diagnosed with or experiencing conditions that include:
Severe allergic reaction: Avoid devil’s claw if you have a severe allergic reaction to it or any of its components (parts or ingredients).
Pregnancy: Devil’s claw may have adverse effects on the fetus. Avoid use duringpregnancy. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of devil’s claw whilepregnant.
Breastfeeding: There is little information about the effects and safety of devil’s claw on nursing babies. Contact your healthcare provider to discuss the benefits and harms of devil’s claw while breastfeeding.
Children: Most devil’s claw product labels likely target adults—not children.Reach out to your child’s healthcare provider (pediatrician) to discuss the benefits and risks of devil’s claw.
People with gallstones: Devil’s claw may increase levels of bile (digestive fluid) within the body, which raises the risk of gallstones. If you have a history of gallstones, your healthcare provider may recommend avoiding devil’s claw.
People with heart-related conditions: Devil’s claw may affect your blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm. For this reason, your healthcare provider may recommend against devil’s claw if you have a heart-related condition.
People with a higher risk of low sodium levels: Devil’s claw may lower your sodium levels. You may want to avoid devil’s claw if you’re more likely to have low sodium levels. For example, certaindiuretics(water pills) may increase your risk of low sodium levels. Diarrhea and vomiting may also lower your sodium levels.
People with stomach ulcers: Devil’s claw might be linked to excess stomach acid, raising your risk of stomach ulcers. For this reason, your healthcare provider may avoid devil’s claw if you have a history of stomach ulcers.
While there are some human studies on devil’s claw, longer-term and higher-quality clinical trials are needed. For this reason, there are no guidelines on the appropriate dosage to take devil’s claw for any condition.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
If you take devil’s claw, follow your healthcare provider’s suggestions and product label instructions.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Devil’s Claw?
There is little information about devil’s claw toxicity and overdoses in humans. Overdoses with devil’s claw, however, might be similar to its potential common or severe side effects, which might be exaggerated or excessive.
One review mentioned that a study didn’t notice any severe side effects with devil’s claw.While devil’s claw seems well-tolerated, long-term, high-quality studies are still necessary.
Use caution when taking devil’s claw with the following:
Certain cytochrome P450 (CYP450) substrate medications: CYP450 is a family of liver enzymes (proteins). Some medications bind to specific CYP450 proteins to be broken down or activated—but usually to be broken down. These medications that attach to CYP450 proteins are called substrates.
Devil’s claw may affect how specific CYP450 proteins work—particularly the CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 proteins. Changing how these proteins work may also change how quickly or slowly they break down or activate some medications. This change may lead to different levels of certain medications, resulting in more side effects or reduced effectiveness.
Devil’s Claw, Drugs, and How It Affects the Liver
Heart medications: Devil’s claw may affect your blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm.So, devil’s claw may interact or interfere with your heart medications. For this reason, your healthcare provider may want to monitor you closely. And if necessary, they’ll make adjustments to your medications.
Jantoven (warfarin):Warfarin thins your blood, raising the likelihood of bleeding and bruising side effects. Devil’s claw may increase warfarin’s effects and worsen the bleeding and bruising side effects.If you take these medications together, your healthcare provider may want to see you more often to monitor side effects and labs.
Acid reflux drugs:Bothproton pump inhibitors(omeprazole) andH2 blockers(like famotidine) used to treat people with stomach acid problems may not work as well when devil’s claw also is taken.
Summary
Devil’s claw, a dietary supplement derived fromHarpagophytumplants common to Africa, may offer benefits in treating back pain and degenerative joint disorders like arthritis. In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, there’s research to suggest that devil’s claw also may offer antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer effects.
As with most supplements, however, more research is needed to confirm the benefits of devil’s claw. It’s considered safe for most people to take although those taking certain medications should avoid drug interactions, and people with health conditions including pregnancy should avoid devil’s claw.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking devil’s claw or any other dietary supplement, to ensure that devil’s claw will be safe and effective for you to take.
Devil’s claw is available in several different dosage forms—with capsules likely being the most common.
In general, to safely take herbal medications—like devil’s claw—first, inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about other medications you take.This includes over-the-counter (OTC), herbal, natural medications, and supplements.They can let you know of possible drug interactions and side effects. They can also ensure you’re giving devil’s claw a good trial at appropriate doses.
In general, to safely take herbal medications—like devil’s claw—first, inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about other medications you take.This includes over-the-counter (OTC), herbal, natural medications, and supplements.
They can let you know of possible drug interactions and side effects. They can also ensure you’re giving devil’s claw a good trial at appropriate doses.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplemet label database.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Devil’s claw.Brendler T.Review of devil’s claw (Harpagophytumspp.).Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(8):726. doi: 10.3390%2Fph14080726Oltean H, Robbins C, van Tulder MW, et al.Herbal medicine for low-back pain.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2014;(12):CD004504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4Cameron M, Chrubasik S.Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;5:CD002947. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002947.pub2Gxaba N, Manganyi MC.The Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011-2022.Molecules. 2022 Jun 6;27(11):3637. doi:10.3390/molecules27113637.Torres-Fuentes C, Theeuwes WF, McMullen MK, McMullen AK, Dinan TG, Cryan JF,et al.Devil’s Claw to suppress appetite–ghrelin receptor modulation potential of a Harpagophytum procumbens root extract. PLoS One. 2014 Jul 28;9(7):e103118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0103118.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.ScienceDirect.Cytochrome P450.Food and Drug Administration.Drug development and drug interactions | table of substrates, inhibitors and inducers.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.A guide to herbal remedies.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplemet label database.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Devil’s claw.Brendler T.Review of devil’s claw (Harpagophytumspp.).Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(8):726. doi: 10.3390%2Fph14080726Oltean H, Robbins C, van Tulder MW, et al.Herbal medicine for low-back pain.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2014;(12):CD004504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4Cameron M, Chrubasik S.Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;5:CD002947. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002947.pub2Gxaba N, Manganyi MC.The Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011-2022.Molecules. 2022 Jun 6;27(11):3637. doi:10.3390/molecules27113637.Torres-Fuentes C, Theeuwes WF, McMullen MK, McMullen AK, Dinan TG, Cryan JF,et al.Devil’s Claw to suppress appetite–ghrelin receptor modulation potential of a Harpagophytum procumbens root extract. PLoS One. 2014 Jul 28;9(7):e103118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0103118.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.ScienceDirect.Cytochrome P450.Food and Drug Administration.Drug development and drug interactions | table of substrates, inhibitors and inducers.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.A guide to herbal remedies.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplemet label database.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Devil’s claw.Brendler T.Review of devil’s claw (Harpagophytumspp.).Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(8):726. doi: 10.3390%2Fph14080726Oltean H, Robbins C, van Tulder MW, et al.Herbal medicine for low-back pain.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2014;(12):CD004504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4Cameron M, Chrubasik S.Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;5:CD002947. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002947.pub2Gxaba N, Manganyi MC.The Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011-2022.Molecules. 2022 Jun 6;27(11):3637. doi:10.3390/molecules27113637.Torres-Fuentes C, Theeuwes WF, McMullen MK, McMullen AK, Dinan TG, Cryan JF,et al.Devil’s Claw to suppress appetite–ghrelin receptor modulation potential of a Harpagophytum procumbens root extract. PLoS One. 2014 Jul 28;9(7):e103118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0103118.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.ScienceDirect.Cytochrome P450.Food and Drug Administration.Drug development and drug interactions | table of substrates, inhibitors and inducers.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.A guide to herbal remedies.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplemet label database.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Devil’s claw.
Brendler T.Review of devil’s claw (Harpagophytumspp.).Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(8):726. doi: 10.3390%2Fph14080726
Oltean H, Robbins C, van Tulder MW, et al.Herbal medicine for low-back pain.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2014;(12):CD004504. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4
Cameron M, Chrubasik S.Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;5:CD002947. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002947.pub2
Gxaba N, Manganyi MC.The Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011-2022.Molecules. 2022 Jun 6;27(11):3637. doi:10.3390/molecules27113637.
Torres-Fuentes C, Theeuwes WF, McMullen MK, McMullen AK, Dinan TG, Cryan JF,et al.Devil’s Claw to suppress appetite–ghrelin receptor modulation potential of a Harpagophytum procumbens root extract. PLoS One. 2014 Jul 28;9(7):e103118. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0103118.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.
ScienceDirect.Cytochrome P450.
Food and Drug Administration.Drug development and drug interactions | table of substrates, inhibitors and inducers.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.A guide to herbal remedies.
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