The dried roots of Harpagophytum procumbens occur in arid savannahs surrounding the Kalahari Desert. This Devil’s Claw produces a deep taproot as well as a several secondary swollen and fleshy tuberous roots, which is the part collected for medicine. Ecologically trained San Peoples collect only this fleshy tuber as in two of the three of the countries where it is found, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, it is already endangered. In Western herbalism the root tea is for treatment of arthritic joints, rheumatoid pains, and lower back pain. Traditional healers have also recommended this tea for anorexia, indigestion, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gout, fevers, allergies, osteoarthritis, fibrositis, and rheumatism, being particularly effective in small joint diseases. (Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000). Do not take alongside, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin and similar drugs, and anyone with cardiovascular disorders. Long term studies have found Devil’s Claw to be effective as standard medication with less side effects.
It goes without saying that if you're pregnant (or are under the doc for anything) caution should be exercised with herbal decoctions.
