What once felt effortless now requires negotiation with your body. Your joints protest with every step, and simple movements become daily challenges. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone—and nature may offer a powerful solution with an intimidating name: Devil’s Claw tea.
What Is Devil’s Claw?
Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a resilient plant native to the Kalahari Desert and surrounding regions of southern Africa. Its distinctive name comes from the hook-like seed pods that resemble tiny grappling hooks.
For centuries, indigenous healers have relied on Devil’s Claw for its remarkable anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Now modern science is beginning to understand why this desert remedy works so well.
Despite its fearsome nickname, Devil’s Claw herb has been quietly providing relief for centuries. The real therapeutic power lies underground in Devil’s Claw’s thick, tuberous roots, which contain potent natural compounds that have made this plant a cornerstone of traditional African medicine for generations.
Devil’s Claw Tea Benefits
Traditional wisdom meets modern research when it comes to Devil’s Claw. Recent findings suggest Devil’s Claw tea may be an effecitve natural pain reliever. So let’s dig a deeper to learn why this unassuming desert root may provide pain relieving benefits.
1. Natural Anti-Inflammatory Action
The star compound in Devil’s Claw is Harpagoside1, a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that works by blocking the same inflammatory pathways targeted by conventional NSAIDs. Multiple studies have demonstrated its ability to significantly reduce inflammatory markers in the body.
2. Low-Back Pain Relief
The main antedotal benefit of Devil’s Claw tea chronic back pain relief. Recent research suggests it may help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic back pain2. In one study of 197 men and women with chronic low back pain who took Devil’s Claw every day for a month said they had less pain and needed fewer painkillers.
3. Joint Pain And Stiffness
Devil’s Claw has shown particular promise for managing joint-related discomfort. Several cilnical trials confirm Devil’s Claw significantly reduce pain and improve mobility in individuals with osteoarthritis3 and other types of arthritis. Many users report improved joint mobility and reduced morning stiffness with consistent useof the tea.
4. Digestive Health Support
Beyond pain relief, Devil’s Claw has traditionally been used to support digestive health. According to one animal study, natural compounds like Kaempferol4 in Devil’s Claw tea may prevent intestinal inflammation and support overall gastrointestinal function. However there is not enough human data.
Proven Devil’s Claw Benefits
The following table is contains a brief summary of emerging study results of Devil’s Claw benefits:
| Benefit | How it Helps | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory | Reduces swelling and cytokines | Arthritis, tendinitis |
| Pain relief | Blocks pain signals and reduces inflammation | Back, neck, joint pain |
| Joint mobility | Improves stiffness and flexibility | Osteoarthritis |
| Digestive support | Mild appetite/digestion boost | Sluggish digestion |
| Muscle recovery | Reduces inflammation after exertion | Athletes, active individuals |
| Possible metabolic support | Early studies show promise | Inflammation-related issues |
Special Note: In the early 2000s, Health Canada temporarily banned devil’s claw due to safety concerns. It was later re-approved after more evidence showed it was safe when used correctly.
How to Make Devil’s Claw Tea
Devil’s Claw tea is typically made from the dried, ground roots of the plant. The standard preparation involves steeping 1-2 teaspoons of dried root in hot water for 10-15 minutes. The tea has a distinctly bitter taste, which can be mellowed with honey or lemon.
Traditional Devil’s Claw Uses
The Khoisan people have traditionally used this remedy for postpartum pain, sprains, loss of appetite, and as a purgative. Additionally, it has been employed to treat various ailments and diseases, including menstrual problems, indigestion, inflammation, syphilis, and as a bitter tonic.
Interesting Facts About Devil’s Claw
Here are a few facts you may enjoy learning about Devil’s Claw:
Did You Know?
- The plant develops a massive taproot system that can extend several feet underground to access deep water sources in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa?
- Indigenous peoples of southern Africa have used devil’s claw medicinally for centuries? The San and Khoi communities traditionally used it to treat digestive issues, fever, and joint pain.
- Despite its fearsome appearance, devil’s claw produces surprisingly beautiful flowers? These large, trumpet-shaped blooms come in shades of pink, purple, or yellow
- Wild Devil’s Claw populations are declining because the entire root system must be uprooted for commercial use, and the slow-growing plant can take years to mature, making sustainable harvesting difficult to achieve?
How to Use Devil’s Claw Tea
Most research suggests that consistent use over 2-8 weeks is needed to experience the full benefits, as the anti-inflammatory effects build up in your system over time.
Important Safety Concerns
While Devil’s Claw is generally well-tolerated, it’s not suitable for everyone. People who fall into any of the groups may want to avoid or at least limit their use of the tea:
- Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding – Devil’s Claw may stimulate uterine contractions.
- Blood thinning concerns – May interact with anticoagulant medications.
- Diabetes medications – Could potentially affect blood sugar levels.
- Stomach conditions – Those with peptic ulcers or gallstones should use caution due to increased stomach acid products.
Always consult with a healthcare provider before adding Devil’s Claw to your routine, especially if you’re taking medications or have underlying health conditions.
Where to Buy Devil’s Claw
You can buy Dried Devil’s Claw root from online marketplaces and speciality stores Harpagophytum procumbens) today. Devil’s Claw is also available in capsules, powder, liquid extract, and ointment formulations.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn a commission from qualified purchases.
Who Should Avoid Devil’s Claw Tea
Consuming Devil’s Claw tea or other products may not be safe for everyone.
- Studies show that Devil’s Claw use may cause gastrointestinal issues. So individuals who suffer from gastric ulcers may want to avoid the herb.
- Children should not be given Devil’s Claw tea as there is limited on its safety for them.
- Pregnant and lactating women may also want to avoid the tea and other products for the same reason.
- Individuals who take medications such as blood thinners, diabetes medication and drugs for contolling high blood pressure need to exercise caution with using Devil’s Claw to avoid possible drug interaction.
You may also like
Because you are interested in Devil’s Claw tea, you make like these herbal teas as well:
- Jamaican Dogwood Tea: Traditionally used for pain
- Chamomile Tea: Loved for its calming benefits
- Peppermint Tea: Best for its digestive benefits
Final Thoughts
The African bush tea, Devil’s Claw tea is an herbal remedy with a long history of use in traditional medicine. Potential Devil’s Claw tea benefits vary form pain relief, inflammation and digestive health support and more.
However, there are possible side effects you need to be aware of before adding Devil’s Claw to your diet. These include diarrhea, nausea, allergic reaction and interaction with certain medication.
References
- Haseeb, Abdul et al. “Harpagoside suppresses IL-6 expression in primary human osteoarthritis chondrocytes.” Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society vol. 35,2 (2017): 311-320. doi:10.1002/jor.23262 ↩︎
- Oltean, Hanna et al. “Herbal medicine for low-back pain.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 2014,12 CD004504. 23 Dec. 2014, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4 ↩︎
- Brien, Sarah et al. “Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety.” Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) vol. 12,10 (2006): 981-93. doi:10.1089/acm.2006.12.981 ↩︎
- Bian, Yifei et al. “Kaempferol reduces obesity, prevents intestinal inflammation, and modulates gut microbiota in high-fat diet mice.” The Journal of nutritional biochemistry vol. 99 (2022): 108840. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108840 ↩︎
Disclaimer:: This website is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated here should be viewed as medical advice. See our full medical disclaimer here.
