Plant Profile

Devil’s Claw

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Harpagophytum procumbens

Family: Pedaliaceae · Parts used: Secondary root tuber · Also known as: Grapple plant, Wood spider

The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 2 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, with 16 cited sources.

Botanical Description

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]

Height: Trailing stems to 1.5 m, low-growing

Habit: Low-growing, sprawling perennial herb

Leaves: Deeply lobed, greyish-green

Flowers: Funnel-shaped, purplish-pink to violet

Stem: Trailing, sprawling stems

Root: Large primary taproot with smaller secondary storage tubers (the medicinal part)

Fruit: Woody capsule covered in long, hooked spines ('devil's claw')

Flowering Period: Summer (during the rainy season)

Habitat & Distribution

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 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.

Parts: Secondary root tuber

Key Constituents

Iridoid glycosides (harpagoside, harpagide, procumbide)^{[12, 13, 14]}

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.

Iridoid glycosidesHarpagosideGlycosides

Phenylethanoids (acteoside/verbascoside) and flavonoids^[13]

Antioxidant supporting constituents.

Verbascoside (acteoside)Flavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)^{[1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13]}

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic for osteoarthritis (hip and knee) pain

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13]}

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic for osteoarthritis (hip and knee) pain

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[12, 13]}Good · 8/10

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic for osteoarthritis (hip and knee) pain; General joint pain and arthritis support

Evidence: 8

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Back pain^{[12, 13, 14, 16]}Strong · 9/10

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

Evidence: 9

Label: Back pain

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →

Headache^{[12, 13]}Good · 8/10

inferred from analgesic action

Evidence: 8

Label: Headache

more plants for headache →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[12, 13]}Good · 8/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 8

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Pain (general)^{[12, 13, 14, 16]}Strong · 9/10

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

Evidence: 9

Label: Pain (general)

more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[12, 13]}Good · 8/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 8

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

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

Standardised extract^{[13, 14]}

Root tuber extract standardised to harpagoside content, taken as capsules or tablets; the best-studied clinical form for osteoarthritis and back pain.

Dosage

Standardised extract^[14]

Clinical trials for osteoarthritis and back pain commonly use extracts providing around 50-60 mg harpagoside daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[13]Caution

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.

Safety note^[13]Caution

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.

Safety note^[13]Caution

Avoid during pregnancy (oxytocic/uterine effect) and while breastfeeding.

Harvest Readiness

^[15]

Part: tuber

Signals: Dig only the secondary storage tubers, which hang at the ends of the fleshy roots, and leave the persistent primary tuber in the ground so the plant regenerates., A plant can only be found and dug while its above-ground stems are still traceable: those stems emerge after the first rains and die back in drought or after frost.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The stems grow from a persistent primary tuber and several secondary tubers (the harvested organs) grow from the primary tuber at the end of fleshy roots. The above-ground stems emerge after the first rains and die back during droughts or after frosts.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Wikipedia (REF-3378) gives the harvested organ and the rain-driven growth cycle that bounds when a plant can be located. NO source found states a harvest month or a dormancy-stage rule, so none is asserted: the FAO/CRIAA certification study on Namibian devil's claw covers trade and certification only, Useful Tropical Plants has no harvest stage, SANBI PlantZAfrica gives dormancy but not harvest, and the Herbal Reality Kalahari account describes technique ('leave the thick root and primary tuber intact') without a season. Devil's claw is CITES Appendix II and permits are required in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Single lineage -> provisional.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Plants of the World Online ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

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
Wikipedia contributors 'Harpagophytum procumbens'. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpagophytum_procumbens Traditional / reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpagophytum_procumbens
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

Selected studies & references

ReviewThe Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011-2022 source↗ (2022)

ReviewDevil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) and chronic inflammatory diseases: A concise overview on preclinical and clinical data source↗ (2019)

ReviewDevil's Claw - a review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity of Harpagophytum procumbens source↗ (2012)

ReviewDevil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration source↗ (2006)

ReviewDevil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety source↗ (2006)

ReviewHarpagophytum procumbens for osteoarthritis and low back pain: a systematic review source↗ (2004)

ClinicalDevil's claw extract as an example of the effectiveness of herbal analgesics source↗ (2004)

PreclinicalHarpagophytum procumbens Root Extract Mediates Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Osteoarthritis Synoviocytes through CB2 Activation source↗ (2022)

All 15 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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