Reported uses
Devil's claw is used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It's also used to treat allergies, atherosclerosis, GI disturbances and heartburn, menstrual difficulties, menopausal symptoms, nicotine poisoning, neuralgia, and liver, kidney, and bladder diseases. In Germany, devil's claw is approved for use as an appetite stimulant and digestive aid.
Administration
Decoction: 0.5 gin 150 ml water by mouth three times a day for loss of appetite; 1.5g in 150 ml water by mouth three times a day for other conditions
Fluid extract (1 g/ml): 0.5 ml taken by mouth three times a day for loss of appetite; 1.5 ml by mouth three times a day for other conditions
Fresh cut tuber: 1.5 g by mouth every day
Dried tuber/root: 6 g by mouth every day
Infusion (4.5 g of herb in 300 ml, steeped in boiling water for 8 hours): three portions by mouth every day
Standardized extracts: 600 to 800 mg by mouth three times a day; standardized to 2% to 3% iridoid glycosides or 1 % to 2% harpagoside.
Hazards
Adverse reactions associated with devil's claw include headache, tinnitus, anorexia, and allergic reaction. Devil's claw may decrease blood glucose levels and have an additive effect when used concomitantly with antidiabetic agents. Herbal products prepared with alcohol may cause a disul-firam-like reaction.
Oral use of devil's claw should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation due to its oxytocic effects. Patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers should avoid use because devil's claw increases production of stomach acid. Patients taking a beta blocker, calcium channel blocker, antihypertensive, or antiarrhythmic should use cautiously because herb may have hypotensive, bradycardic, and antiarrhythemic effects. Patients with heart failure should use cautiously because herb may have negative inotropic effects at high doses.
Clinical considerations
Devil's claw may increase the intended therapeutic effect of conventional drugs.
Tinctures may contain between 15% and 60% alcohol and may be unsuitable for children, alcoholic patients, those with liver disease, and those taking metronidazole or disulfiram.
Warn patient to seek appropriate medical evaluation right away, to avoid delaying diagnosis of a potentially serious medical condition.
Advise patients taking a heart drug or a blood pressure drug to promptly report any light-headedness, dizziness, abnormal heartbeats, or swelling.
Instruct patient to seek medical attention if symptoms don't resolve.
Tell patient to remind pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.
Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Research summary
Devil's claw extracts contain chemicals that possess anti-inflammatory activity, the ability to reduce blood pressure, decrease heart rate, and slow anti-arrhythmic activities in animal studies. The literature states that these extracts appear to be free of significant toxicities when given for short periods of time; however, the long-term toxicity or potential interactions isn't known. The concepts behind the use of devil's claw and claims made regarding its effects must be studied further and validated scientifically.
Research One double-blind. study followed 89 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis for a 2-month period. The group given devil's claw showed a significant decrease in pain intensity and improved mobility (Lecomte et al., 1992). Another double-blind study of 50 people with various types of arthritis found that 10 days of treatment with devil's claw provided significant pain relief (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, 1996-1997).
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