Plant Comparison
Greater Celandine vs Devil's Claw
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Greater Celandine and Devil's Claw: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, back pain, headache, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Greater Celandine | Devil's Claw | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Devil's Claw |
| Back pain | 1/10 | 9/10 | Stronger for Devil's Claw |
| Headache | 1/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Devil's Claw |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Devil's Claw |
| Pain (general) | 1/10 | 9/10 | Stronger for Devil's Claw |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Devil's Claw |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The biologically active and toxicologically important constituents.
Harpagoside is the main marker compound and anti-inflammatory principle; effective extracts are standardised to it, with the better-quality clinical evidence using preparations delivering roughly 50-60 mg harpagoside per day.
Antioxidant supporting constituents.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic (preclinical)
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
inferred from anticancer action
Antispasmodic / choleretic bitter for upper-abdominal and biliary dyspepsia (indigestion, bloating, cramping) - oral use now restricted for safety
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic for osteoarthritis (hip and knee) pain; General joint pain and arthritis support
Effective at standardised doses (~50-60 mg harpagoside/day); an aqueous extract was non-inferior to rofecoxib for short-term chronic low back pain; Relief of chronic non-specific low back pain
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic for osteoarthritis (hip and knee) pain; Effective at standardised doses (~50-60 mg harpagoside/day); an aqueous extract was non-inferior to rofecoxib for short-term chronic low back pain; General joint pain and arthritis support; Relief of chronic non-specific low back pain
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
SERIOUS: oral greater celandine can cause acute idiosyncratic liver injury (hepatocellular hepatotoxicity with jaundice). Multiple reported cases - dozens of herb-induced liver injury reports in the literature, with continuing recent case reports - led regulators to restrict or suspend oral products. Do not take internally if you have any liver disease, and stop immediately and seek care at any sign of liver problems (jaundice, dark urine, upper-abdominal pain).
Because it is a bitter that increases stomach-acid and bile secretion, it is contraindicated in active peptic ulcer, gastritis and (without medical supervision) gallstones.
May add to the effect of anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin) and may influence blood sugar, blood pressure and heart rhythm; use caution with these medicines.
Avoid during pregnancy (oxytocic/uterine effect) and while breastfeeding.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Branching perennial herb with soft, brittle, hairy stems that exude a distinctive bright orange-yellow latex (sap) when cut or broken. The leaves are deeply lobed, pale bluish-green beneath, giving a delicate, almost fern-like appearance. Small, four-petalled, bright yellow flowers are borne in loose umbel-like clusters.[4]
Low-growing, sprawling perennial herb with trailing stems and deeply lobed, greyish-green leaves arising from a large, fleshy primary taproot bearing smaller secondary storage tubers (the part used medicinally). Striking funnel-shaped, purplish-pink to violet flowers give way to a distinctive woody fruit covered in long, hooked spines - the origin of the common name.[13]
Habitat
Grows in shaded, nutrient-rich ground - hedgerows, walls, waste ground and woodland edges, often near old buildings; native to Europe and Western Asia and naturalised in North America.[4]
Native to the dry savannas and semi-desert regions of southern Africa, particularly the Kalahari Desert region of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.[13]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut in spring to summer; the fresh orange latex is collected by breaking a stem or leaf as needed for topical (wart) use. Given the documented hepatotoxicity of oral preparations, harvesting for internal use is not recommended.[4]
The secondary root tubers are dug by hand, sliced and dried in the sun, traditionally by local harvesters in southern Africa; sustainable wild-harvesting practices are important given the plant's slow growth and habitat sensitivity.
Traditional Uses
Greater celandine has a long European folk history, reflected in its name 'tetterwort', as a topical remedy for warts and skin blemishes (the fresh orange latex dabbed directly on), and internally as a bitter choleretic digestive remedy for biliary and upper-abdominal dyspepsia - though oral use is now medically restricted because of documented liver injury.[4]
Devil's claw has a long southern African traditional-medicine history as a remedy for fever, pain and digestive complaints, and is now one of the most clinically studied herbal analgesics for osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain, with standardised extracts showing efficacy comparable to some conventional analgesics in trials.[13]
Preparations
Fresh orange latex from a broken stem dabbed directly onto warts, the classic external folk use; kept well away from eyes, mucous membranes and broken skin.
Historically taken as an infusion or tincture for biliary dyspepsia, but oral use is now restricted in several jurisdictions due to hepatotoxicity risk and should only be considered under professional supervision, if at all.
Dosage
Because of a documented risk of acute liver injury, no internal dose is given here; oral use should be avoided, especially by anyone with liver disease, and any sign of jaundice, dark urine or upper-abdominal pain warrants immediate medical attention. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Clinical trials for osteoarthritis and back pain commonly use extracts providing around 50-60 mg harpagoside daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Li, X.L., Sun, Y.P., Wang, M., Wang, Z.B. and Kuang, H.X (2024) 'Alkaloids in Chelidonium majus L.: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, pp. 1440979. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1440979 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1440979 - Koriem, K.M.M., Arbid, M.S. and Asaad, G.F (2012) 'Chelidonium majus leaves methanol extract and its chelidonine alkaloid ingredient reduce cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in rats', Journal of Natural Medicines, 67(1), pp. 159-167. doi:10.1007/s11418-012-0667-6 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-012-0667-6 - Nawrot, R (2017) 'Defense-related Proteins from Chelidonium majus L. as Important Components of its Latex', Current Protein & Peptide Science, 18(8), pp. 864-880. doi:10.2174/1389203718666170406124013 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389203718666170406124013 - Gilca, M., Gaman, L., Panait, E., Stoian, I. and Atanasiu, V (2010) 'Chelidonium majus - an integrative review: traditional knowledge versus modern findings', Forschende Komplementarmedizin. doi:10.1159/000321397 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1159/000321397 - Popovic, A., Deljanin, M., Popovic, S., Todorovic, D., Djurdjevic, P., Matic, S., Stankovic, M., Avramovic, D. and Baskic, D (2021) 'Chelidonium majus crude extract induces activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and enhances their cytotoxic effect toward HeLa cells', International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 32(7), pp. 1554-1566. doi:10.1080/09603123.2021.1897534 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2021.1897534 - Shen, L., Lee, S.A., Joo, J.C., Hong, E., Cui, Z.Y., Jo, E., Park, S.J. and Jang, H.J (2022) 'Chelidonium majus induces apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells via ATF3-mediated regulation of Foxo3a by Tip60', Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 32(4), pp. 493-503. doi:10.4014/jmb.2109.09030 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2109.09030 - Deljanin, M., Nikolic, M., Baskic, D., Todorovic, D., Djurdjevic, P., Zaric, M., Stankovic, M., Todorovic, M., Avramovic, D. and Popovic, S (2016) 'Chelidonium majus crude extract inhibits migration and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor cell lines', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 190, pp. 362-371. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.056 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.056 - Warowicka, A., Qasem, B., Dera-Szymanowska, A., Wolun-Cholewa, M., Florczak, P., Horst, N., Napierala, M., Szymanowski, K., Popenda, L., Bartkowiak, G., Florek, E., Gozdzicka-Jozefiak, A. and Mlynarz, P (2021) 'Effect of protoberberine-rich fraction of Chelidonium majus L. on endometriosis regression', Pharmaceutics, 13(7), pp. 931. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13070931 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13070931 - Kadan, G., Gozler, T. and Hesse, M (1992) '(+)-Norchelidonine from Chelidonium majus', Planta Medica, 58(5), pp. 477. doi:10.1055/s-2006-961523 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-961523 - Musidlak, O., Warowicka, A., Broniarczyk, J., Adamczyk, D., Gozdzicka-Jozefiak, A. and Nawrot, R (2022) 'The activity of Chelidonium majus L. latex and its components on HPV reveal insights into the antiviral molecular mechanism', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(16), pp. 9241. doi:10.3390/ijms23169241 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169241 - Zhang, W., You, C., Wang, C., Fan, L., Wang, Y., Su, Y., Deng, Z. and Du, S (2014) 'One new alkaloid from Chelidonium majus L', Natural Product Research, 28(21), pp. 1873-1878. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.953497 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.953497 - Capistrano I, R., Wouters, A., Lardon, F., Gravekamp, C., Apers, S. and Pieters, L (2015) 'In vitro and in vivo investigations on the antitumour activity of Chelidonium majus', Phytomedicine, 22(14), pp. 1279-1287. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.013 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.013 - Teschke, R., Frenzel, C., Glass, X., Schulze, J. and Eickhoff, A (2012) 'Greater Celandine hepatotoxicity: a clinical review', Annals of Hepatology. doi:10.1016/s1665-2681(19)31408-5 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/s1665-2681(19)31408-5 - Ciornolutchii, V., Ismaiel, A., Sabo, C.M., Al Hajjar, N., Seicean, A. and Dumitrascu, D.L (2024) 'A Hidden Cause of Hypertransaminasemia: Liver Toxicity Caused by Chelidonium Majus L. Report of Two Cases of Herb-Induced Liver Injury and Literature Review', American Journal of Therapeutics, 31(4), pp. e382--e387. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000001708 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/MJT.0000000000001708
- Mncwangi, N., Chen, W., Vermaak, I., Viljoen, A.M. and Gericke, N (2012) 'Devil's Claw - a review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity of Harpagophytum procumbens', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 143(3), pp. 755-771. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.013 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.013 - Parenti, C., Arico, G., Pennisi, M., Venditti, A. and Scoto, G.M (2015) 'Harpagophytum procumbens extract potentiates morphine antinociception in neuropathic rats', Natural Product Research, 30(11), pp. 1248-1255. doi:10.1080/14786419.2015.1052069 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2015.1052069 - Mariano, A., Bigioni, I., Mattioli, R., Di Sotto, A., Leopizzi, M., Garzoli, S., Mariani, P.F., Dalla Vedova, P., Ammendola, S. and Scotto d'Abusco, A (2022) 'Harpagophytum procumbens Root Extract Mediates Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Osteoarthritis Synoviocytes through CB2 Activation', Pharmaceuticals, 15(4), pp. 457. doi:10.3390/ph15040457 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15040457 - Gxaba, N. and Manganyi, M.C (2022) 'The Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011-2022', Molecules, 27(11), pp. 3637. doi:10.3390/molecules27113637 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27113637 - Menghini, L., Recinella, L., Leone, S., Chiavaroli, A., Cicala, C., Brunetti, L., Vladimir-Knezevic, S., Orlando, G. and Ferrante, C (2019) 'Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) and chronic inflammatory diseases: A concise overview on preclinical and clinical data', Phytotherapy Research, 33(9), pp. 2152-2162. doi:10.1002/ptr.6395 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6395 - Brien, S., Lewith, G.T. and McGregor, G (2006) 'Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 12(10), pp. 981-993. doi:10.1089/acm.2006.12.981 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2006.12.981 - Ungerer, G., Cui, J., Ndam, T., Bekemeier, M., Song, H., Li, R., Siedhoff, H.R., Yang, B., Appenteng, M.K., Greenlief, C.M., Miller, D.K., Sun, G.Y., Folk, W.R. and Gu, Z (2020) 'Harpagophytum procumbens Extract Ameliorates Allodynia and Modulates Oxidative and Antioxidant Stress Pathways in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury', Neuromolecular Medicine, 22(2), pp. 278-292. doi:10.1007/s12017-019-08585-z Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12017-019-08585-z - Recinella, L., Chiavaroli, A., Ronci, M., Menghini, L., Brunetti, L., Leone, S., Tirillini, B., Angelini, P., Covino, S., Venanzoni, R., Zengin, G., Di Simone, S., Ciferri, M.C., di Giacomo, V., Cataldi, A., Rapino, M., Valerio, V.D., Orlando, G. and Ferrante, C (2020) 'Multidirectional Pharma-Toxicological Study on Harpagophytum procumbens DC. ex Meisn.: An IBD-Focused Investigation', Antioxidants, 9(2), pp. 168. doi:10.3390/antiox9020168 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9020168 - Baghdikian, B., Lanhers, M.C., Fleurentin, J., Ollivier, E., Maillard, C., Balansard, G. and Mortier, F (1997) 'An analytical study, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri', Planta Medica, 63(2), pp. 171-176. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957638 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957638 - Lim, D.W., Kim, J.G., Han, D. and Kim, Y.T (2014) 'Analgesic effect of Harpagophytum procumbens on postoperative and neuropathic pain in rats', Molecules, 19(1), pp. 1060-1068. doi:10.3390/molecules19011060 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19011060 - Jang, M., Lim, S., Han, S., Park, H., Shin, I., Kim, J., Kim, N., Lee, J., Kim, K. and Kim, C (2003) 'Harpagophytum procumbens suppresses lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in fibroblast cell line L929', Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 93(3), pp. 367-371. doi:10.1254/jphs.93.367 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1254/jphs.93.367 - Chrubasik, S (2004) 'Devil's claw extract as an example of the effectiveness of herbal analgesics', Der Orthopade. doi:10.1007/s00132-004-0675-7 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00132-004-0675-7 - Brendler, T., Gruenwald, J., Ulbricht, C. and Basch, E (2006) 'Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration', Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy. doi:10.1080/j157v06n01_09 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/j157v06n01_09 - Chrubasik, S., Conradt, C. and Roufogalis, B.D (2004) 'Effectiveness of Harpagophytum extracts and clinical efficacy', Phytotherapy Research, 18(2), pp. 187--189. doi:10.1002/ptr.1416 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1416 - Gagnier, J.J., Chrubasik, S. and Manheimer, E (2004) 'Harpagophytum procumbens for osteoarthritis and low back pain: a systematic review', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-13 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-4-13
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.