YahGarden

Herb library · Herb · Harpagophytum procumbens, H. zeyheri

Devil's claw

A Kalahari plant whose dried side roots are sold, mostly in Europe, for joint pain and back pain. Studies suggest it may help some pain, but they have been inconsistent, and EU regulators rely on its long traditional use rather than trial results.

Traditional use

Used in the Kalahari region of southern Africa as a general tonic and for arthritis, pain, fever, indigestion, sores and boils. Namibia supplies most of the world's harvest. In Europe it is registered as a traditional herbal medicine for minor joint pain, mild digestive complaints such as bloating, and temporary loss of appetite.

What studies show

  • Limited

    Joint pain from arthritis: the European Medicines Agency's herbal committee saw an effect in short-term studies, but most were uncontrolled and inconsistent in design, so firm conclusions could not be drawn. Its EU standing rests on long traditional use.

  • Limited

    Low-back pain: NCCIH says devil's claw taken by mouth may be helpful, but the evidence is not as strong as for some other options.

  • Insufficient

    Bloating, flatulence and loss of appetite: accepted in the EU on the basis of traditional use only; there is not enough clinical-trial evidence.

Be careful of

Cautions

  • ConditionDo not use it with an active stomach or duodenal ulcer. People with gallstones should ask a doctor first. Joint pain with swelling, redness or fever needs a doctor's assessment.
  • NoteReported side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, and allergic reactions such as rash, hives and facial swelling.
  • NoteEU medicines are for adults only; use under 18 has not been established. See a clinician if joint pain lasts more than 4 weeks or digestive complaints more than 2 weeks.
  • PregnancySafety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, and use is not recommended.
  • NoteOver-harvesting from the wild has raised sustainability concerns, and the whole plant is often destroyed in harvest. A proposal to list devil's claw on CITES Appendix II was withdrawn in 2004 after range states took up the issue. Products are also often mixed with the related H. zeyheri.
  • Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.

Sources

  1. Harpagophyti radix - herbal medicinal product (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  2. European Union herbal monograph on Harpagophytum procumbens DC. and/or Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne., radix (EMA/HMPC/627057/2015) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  3. Chronic Pain and Complementary Health Approaches: Usefulness and Safety (opens in a new tab) · NCCIH · read September 25, 2026
  4. Devil's Claw - a review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity of Harpagophytum procumbens (J Ethnopharmacol, 2012) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  5. The commercial harvest of devil's claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in southern Africa: the devil's in the details (J Ethnopharmacol, 2005) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026

Reviewed September 25, 2026.