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DEVILS CLAW
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DEVIL’S CLAW
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(Harpogophytum procumbens)
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Other Names
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Description
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Devil’s Claw is native to Southwest Africa, growing in the Kalahari
Desert. The
plant has fragile, creeping stems.
When the rain comes it produces claw like
flowers. It gets its name from its large hooked, claw-like fruit which has
been known to harm and trap livestock grazing nearby. To survive the long
periods of drought the roots bury as much as a meter into the soil, producing brown tubers at
different levels underground. These tubers store water.
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Classification
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Taste
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Balance Yin/Yang
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Neutral
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Humour
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Uses/Applications
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Use Devil’s Claw to treat liver, gal-bladder or kidney
ailments. It
is also used to treat lymphatic system toxicity, respiratory ailments, blood diseases and
indigestion. Devil’s Claw has strong anti-inflammatory properties so it is excellent for
arthritis, rheumatism, lower back pain, and overall aches in the muscles or
joints. Use
externally as an ointment to treat skin rashes and wounds.
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Combinations
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Constituents
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Iridoid Glycosides. Gum Resin, Beta-Sitosterol,
Harpogoside.
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Action
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Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Rheumatic, Analgesic, Sedative,
Diuretic.
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Food Values
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Trace Minerals.
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Part Used
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Root.
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Collection
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Devil’s Claw is commercially grown and collected.
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Preparation
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To begin treatment take Devil’s Claw for at least three
weeks. Then stop for 1 week. After that take it one
week on and one week off as a maintenance dose. There are no side effects
so you can take it for as long as necessary.
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Capsule
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Take as directed.
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Extract
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Take 100 mg. of 5% standardized extract 3 times per
day.
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Growing Directions
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Commercially grown.
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History
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Natives have long used the plant to treat digestive problems, rheumatism,
arthritis, and malaria. It was first discovered by a German scientist who found it contained the
same properties as the drug Phenybutazone used to treat arthritis without the side
effects. Historically it has been used to treat arthritis, gout, inflammation, to
relieve pain, as a sedative, and to boost a sluggish immune system. For centuries Africans’ have
used the herb to treat skin cancer, fever, malaria, and indigestion.
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Additional Information
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1. Documented evidence indicates 6 out of 10 people obtain relief from their
arthritis when using Devil’s Claw.
2. Its anti-inflammatory action reduces pain, swelling, and stiffness of
inflamed joints and muscles.
3. Devil’s Claw has been used in Africa and German medical clinics for liver,
gall-bladder, kidney ailments, lymphatic system toxicity, nervous malaise, respiratory ailments,
and blood diseases.
4. Studies have shown that this plant has strong anti-inflammatory properties
and it is extremely helpful for sufferers of arthritis or inflammatory
diseases.
5. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes Devil’s Claw as having
anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic, sedative, and diuretic
properties.
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Cautions
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1. Do not use Devil’s Claw if you are pregnant. It may stimulate the uterine
muscles.
2. Side effects are rare.
3. If you are diabetic you may experience a rise in blood sugar
levels.
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Magick Information
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There is no magical value.
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